Epic Records promo gunslinger Joel Klaiman has been appointed Executive Vice President Promotion, it was announced today by Epic EVP/GM Steve Barnett, to whom Klaiman will continue to report.

In his new role, Klaiman will supervise and direct promotion strategies across all radio and video formats and will oversee the label's national and field promotion staff. He will also work with Epic’s senior management team and department heads to determine release priorities, and will be responsible for creating and implementing promotional campaigns, as well as cleaning up Modest Mouse droppings.

"Joel has played a major role on the newly revitalized Epic team," said Sony Music U.S. President Don Ienner, reflecting on the announcement. "Through his energy and perseverance, he has taken projects that might be considered outside the mainstream and helped bring them across-the-board acceptance at radio. Epic's current success with such artists as Los Lonely Boys, Franz Ferdinand and Modest Mouse is a tribute to his skill as a promotion executive. His promotion is well earned and well deserved. That’s light starch, by the way, Barnett.”

Added Barnett, "During his eight years with Epic, Joel has played a pivotal role in building the label's presence across a broad array of radio formats, and in the process he's made major contributions to the growth and development of a wide range of artists. He combines a proven ability to create and implement successful strategies with true leadership ability, and this promotion will provide him with additional opportunities to contribute to the overall growth and development of the label. Are my loafers shined yet, Klaiman?"

Said Klaiman, “This promotion is a tremendous honor, and I thank both Don Ienner and Steve Barnett for their support and recognition, as well as for only beating me sort of severely that time I got their lunch orders mixed up. From great artists to extremely talented executives, Epic Records is the most dynamic and creative environment I've ever worked in, and as a result my tenure with the label has been the most professionally satisfying period of my life. I look forward to continuing to work with everyone in the Epic family as we build on our past successes, and identify new ways of extending the reach of our artists."

Klaiman was most recently Sr. VP Promotion at Epic, a position he held since 2001. Prior to that, he served as VP Promotion at Epic, starting in 1999. He joined the company as VP Alternative Music, 550 Music in 1996 and was promoted to VP Promotion for 550 Music in 1998. Prior to joining Epic, Klaiman worked for three years as Senior Director, National Alternative Promotion, at Elektra.