Motown's Kronfeld lands Universal marketing promotion

Monday November 23, 2009

Kronfeld is currently general manager of Universal Motown Records, located in New York. He will take up his new post in early 2010, based in London and New York.

“Andrew is a great executive and a great music man," says Hole. "No one is better qualified to continue and enhance our unbeatable track record of driving hits around the world and breaking new artists of all music genres.”

Kronfeld joined Universal Music in 1999 as VP of international marketing, when he also reported to Max Hole. He segued to Universal Motown as senior VP of international in 2001, and was subsequently appointed general manager. At the company, Kronfeld has worked with such chart-topping artists as Akon, Lil Wayne, Jack Johnson and Nelly, among others. Previously, he was VP of marketing for Island Records US, where he worked with such multiplatinum-selling artists as U2, Melissa Etheridge and The Cranberries.

Universal Motown Records president Sylvia Rhone comments, “Andrew is the consummate marketing executive, he literally lives and breathes it. So when this great opportunity opened, we all thought that it was tailor-made for his skill set.”

In his new post, Kronfeld will oversee the scheduling, promotion and marketing of all UMGI releases worldwide. He will also be responsible for Cooperative Music, the independent labels network, and Spinefarm Records, the rock label.

Kronfeld says, “I am truly grateful to Max for this opportunity, and certainly, to Mel Lewinter (Chairman, Universal Motown Republic Group) and Sylvia for an incredible experience at Universal Motown. Having worked closely with Max, I have experienced first hand the incredible level of quality and excellence that he and Lucian Grainge (Chairman & CEO, UMGI) have established. So when this unique opportunity arose, it became difficult to turn down.”