Music Business Power Duo Ethiopia Habtemariam and Jacqueline Saturn to Give Joint Interview at Music Biz 2019

The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will host a Featured Presentation exploring the careers of Motown Records President/Capitol Records EVP Ethiopia Habtemariam and Caroline President Jacqueline Saturn, two of a small handful of female label presidents in the industry, during the Annual Music Biz Conference at the JW Marriott Nashville. The session, set for Wednesday, May 8 from 10:30 – 11:30 am, will give insight on each woman’s professional journeys to the top of the organizational chart, their creative collaborations on important projects, and how each has lent their voice to ensure a bright and prosperous future for women across the business.

“We are so thrilled to have two of our industry’s most successful and vibrant executives together on the Music Biz stage,” said President James Donio. “The impact they have had is so significant. As we’ve seen in their partnership with Quality Control Music to develop and distribute Lil Baby, Migos and so many others, their professional chemistry is undeniable. We look forward to hearing their insights, which will without a doubt inspire the incoming generation of young people to enter the industry with the goal of becoming its next leaders.”

In her current role as President of Motown Records, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2019, Ethiopia Habtemariam is the highest ranking African-American woman within Universal Music Group. She is responsible for revitalizing the coveted label that hosts cultural hitmakers such as Ne-Yo, KEM and Erykah Badu, as well as musical groundbreakers BJ The Chicago Kid and Zaytoven. In addition, she has been strategic in utilizing Motown as a platform partner for entrepreneurs that operate in the same spirit and legacy of Berry Gordy such as Quality Control/Since The 80’s/Blacksmith. These partnerships garnered important signings such as Lil Yachty, Migos, City Girls, Lil Baby and Njomza.

Prior to her role with Motown, Habtemariam worked at Universal Music Publishing, where she rose to President of Urban Music & Co-Head of Creative. Her significant signings grew to an impressive roster of writers including J Cole, Justin Bieber, Miguel, Quavo, Sebastian Kole (Alessia Cara), Rock City, Childish Gambino, Big Sean, Jhene Aiko, Hit Boy, Chase & Cashe, Ester Dean, Polow Da Don, Keri Hilson, Ciara, Happy Perez, Needlz and Danny Boy, among many others.  

Based in Hollywood’s iconic Capitol Tower, Jacqueline Saturn is President of Caroline, Capitol Music Group’s indie label services division. The promotions veteran, who previously held the title of GM at Caroline, leads the division’s 50-person team in the US and oversees all artist and label signings and partnerships. Saturn also leads CMG’s Harvest Records, home to Banks and Glass Animals, among others. She joined Harvest in 2013 after two decades at Sony Music’s Epic Records, where she rose to SVP of Promotion.

Under Saturn’s leadership, Caroline doubled its US market share to more than three percent in a year’s time. It has scored several No. 1s on the Billboard 200 over a 14-month period from NF, 6ix9ine, XXXTentacion, and Trippie Redd. Caroline also scored 63 entries across the Hot 100, with 10 in the top 20.

Music Biz 2019, the industry’s premier business-focused event, takes place Sunday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 8 at the JW Marriott Nashville. Attendees can look forward to keynote presentations from influential industry trailblazers including Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Capitol Records’ Amber Grimes, RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier, and CEO of Def Jam Recordings Paul Rosenberg. The event will also feature our Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner, a celebration of artistic & executive achievement sponsored by BuzzAngle Music, City National Bank, Cracker Barrel, Jammber, and TiVo. Announced thus far, Bebe Rexha and Kane Brown will receive Breakthrough Artist Awards; Darius Rucker will accept the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award; Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman will receive the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement; Record Archive owners Richard Storms and Alayna Alderman will accept the Independent Spirit Award; and The Orchard Co-Founder Richard Gottehrer will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award. More programming and awards announcements will be made in the coming weeks. This year’s Music Business Hall of Fame ceremony will see the induction of the late Sir George Martin by his son Giles Martin. The 2019 Hall of Fame class also includes major labels Atlantic Records and Capitol Records; independent label Sub Pop; industry executives Ahmet Ertegun, Herb Abramson and Miriam Abramson; music industry landmarks the Apollo Theatre, CBGB, Hitsville U.S.A…The Birthplace of Motown Records, Sun Studio, and the Troubadour; and Rolling Stone magazine. Visit musicbiz2019.com for the most up-to-date conference information. To register for the 2019 event, go to musicbiz2019.eventbrite.com.

About the Music Business Association:
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) is a not-for-profit membership organization that advances, promotes and invests in the future of the music business by providing a trusted forum where ideas and cooperation flourish. Through events, education and engagement, Music Biz brings together the full breadth of the industry for unparalleled access to networking, resources and thought leadership.

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