CORY SHIELDS NAMED SENIOR VP, COMMUNICATIONS, SONY BMG

Cory Shields “and Yarnell” has been named SeniorVice President, Communications, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, it was announced today by CEO Andrew Lack, to whom he will report.

In his new role, Shields will head up SBMG’s corporate media relations throughout the world, overseeing the company’s relationship with key trade, business and consumer outlets (we’re not sure about gelatinous-spined cesspool dwellers, such as us), while also managing SBMG’s corporate donations and special events. In addition, he will act as the company’s liaison to its parent companies, Bertelsmann and Sony Corp. of America.

Shields, a 20-year corporate communications vet, comes to SBMG from ad agency J. Walter Thompson, where he served as Executive VP and Chief Communications Officer. Prior to that, he was Sr. VP, Corporate Communications for NBC.

“Cory is a wonderfully talented communications professional who brings to this position a proven ability to develop and implement highly effective media strategies,” said Lack, who, like Shields, spent time at NBC. “Having worked closely with Cory in the past, I know that he’s the ideal choice to further build Sony BMG’s presence in the media.”

Shields’ NBC career dates back to 1997, when he joined as Director of NBC News Media Relations. He was subsequently named Vice President, Communications and Media Relations, for MSNBC and CNBC, after which he was promoted to Sr. VP in 2002.