HIS MASTER’S EARS: Keith Naftaly has been upped to EVP/Head of A&R for RCA, giving the onetime radio programmer oversight of the pop and pop/urban A&R staff. He’ll also continue to handle A&R for specific roster acts, including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Sterling Simms, Elle King, Imogen Heap, Fantasia and Hot Chelle Rae. Naftaly’s team consists of J Grand (SVP A&R and Marketing), Shawn Holiday (SVP A&R, West Coast), Wayne Williams (SVP A&R), Mr. Morgan (VP A&R), Trevor Jerideau (VP A&R) and Adonis Sutherlin (Sr. Director A&R). As before, he reports to label head Peter Edge. In the announcement, Edge stated: “Keith is one of the most gifted people I have had the pleasure to work with in music. His instincts and experience in record making and identifying those elusive elements that make a hit are the best. His passion for music is matched by his ability to be a creative partner and mentor for those he works with.” Added Naftaly: “I feel incredibly blessed to be working with the most mind-blowingly genius and diverse roster of artists in the music industry. We’re at the dawn of a brand new era at RCA, and I’m thrilled and proud to be at the center of its creative pulse. I’d like to salute the astonishingly talented Peter Edge for his trailblazing style of leadership and thank him from my extremely full heart for this kickass opportunity.” (11/9a)