Indie music publisher Kobalt Music Group has promoted Derek Cournoyer to Senior Vice President of Global Digital Business.
In his expanded role, Cournoyer will play a “pivotal” role in striking strategic partnerships with companies like Meta, TikTok and YouTube, Kobalt said in an announcement on Thursday (July 24).
Cournoyer, who served as VP of Global Digital Business for three years prior to his promotion, will also work on initiatives involving emerging markets and technologies such as web3 and AI.
He got his start in the music business at Artist Publishing Group in 2009, before jumping to Kobalt in 2011 to work in synch. In 2016 he moved to singing app startup Smule, before returning to Kobalt in 2019 as Senior Director, Synch & Business Development.
“As a tech-forward music company, it is crucial that our songwriters are protected and are positioned to earn income from emerging technologies,” Kobalt’s Chief Digital Officer, Bob Bruderman, said.
“Derek has played a vital role in forging innovative deals with new partners while ensuring that we have strong relationships with the major digital services and platforms. I am pleased to be able to recognize his contributions by expanding his role at Kobalt.”
“Derek has played a vital role in forging innovative deals with new partners while ensuring that we have strong relationships with the major digital services and platforms.”
Bob Bruderman, Kobalt
Cournoyer added that he’s “incredibly grateful to Bob, [Kobalt CEO] Laurent Hubert, and [President and COO] Jeannette Perez for fostering a culture of innovation and for their trust in me to help push our mission forward.”
He added: “We’re at a turning point in the music industry as AI transforms the landscape and micro-licensing opens up powerful new pathways for the creator economy. Kobalt is not just adapting to this moment – we’re built for it.
“With one of the most sophisticated metadata infrastructures in the business, we’re positioned to license music smarter, faster, and more strategically. I’m proud to be part of a team that’s not just responding to change, but leading it – and redefining what’s possible for music publishing in the digital age.”
Cournoyer’s appointment follows several new changes near the top of the company this year, including Columbia Records alum Rani Hancock joining Kobalt in January as Head of US Creative, Jason Feinberg’s appointment as SVP and Head of Kosign, the company’s recently-launched music publishing platform, and Claes Uggla taking on the role of General Manager of Kobalt Scandinavia.
With the company now serving more than 1 million songs, Kobalt boasts that it represents, on average, over 35% of the top 100 songs and albums in the US and UK.
It represents artists including Roddy Ricch, Max Martin, Karol G, Andrew Watt, Stevie Nicks, Phoebe Bridgers, The Lumineers, Gunna, Justin Quiles, The Foo Fighters, and Paul McCartney, among many others.Music Business Worldwide
