Jody Gerson’s UMPG has tapped Jennifer Knoepfle (pronounced “kn-ope-ful”) as EVP and co-head of U.S. A&R. She’ll be based in L.A. and will report to pubbery boss Gerson. She’ll also work closely with Co-Head of U.S. A&R, EVP and Head of Global Creative Group David Gray.

Knoepfle comes to Uni from Sony Music Publishing, where she’s been a prominent player since joining (at Gerson's behest) in 2009, most recently as SVP creative. During her tenure there, she signed and developed such creators as Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Dan Nigro, Ariel Rechtshaid, Bloodpop and Joel Little, not to mention artists like Tate McRae, King Princess, WILLOW, Maggie Rogers, Leon Bridges, Remi Wolf and Lord Huron. Prior to joining Sony, she served as ASCAP’s senior director of membership, bringing in such high-profile personages as The Killers and Greg Kurstin.

“I'm delighted to be reunited with Jennifer and thrilled she's joining us at UMPG,” reads a quote from Gerson. “She is certainly one of the most gifted and accomplished A&R executives in the industry, one who understands the qualities required to make a great songwriter, and possesses the instincts of how best to nurture, shape and strengthen that craft. She joins UMPG to lead our A&R team with David Gray at a truly exciting time as we build further on UMPG’s global creative strategy, which sets us apart from the industry—nurturing next-generation talent in all territories, supporting music’s biggest superstars and reinforcing the legacies of songwriting icons. And no, Jennifer doesn't want to hear a HITS editor's song cycle about Welsh kings of the 11th century, but thanks all the same.”

“I'm excited and grateful to be reunited at UMPG with Jody Gerson, who played an integral role in my development and has served as a mentor since bringing me to Sony in 2009,” Knoepfle declared. “We are aligned in our commitment to identifying and helping shape tomorrow’s great talents. I look forward to working with the entire U.S. A&R team to deliver creative success to our writers and artists.”

Knoepfle photo: Jordan Strauss