Greg Prata promoted to Chief Financial Officer at Sony Music Publishing, as Tom Kelly retires after 35-year career

Sony Music Publishing has promoted Greg Prata to Chief Financial Officer, effective March 31.

He succeeds Tom Kelly, who announced plans to retire from the role after a 35-year career. Kelly was appointed CFO in 2019.

Meanwhile, Prata will remain based in New York and report to SMP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jon Platt.

In his new role, Prata will oversee SMP’s financial operations worldwide, spanning reporting, accounting, budgeting, administration and IT.

He has been with Sony since 2012, when he joined as SVP, Financial Planning & Analysis, following his stint at EMI. He was elevated to EVP, Finance & Corporate Strategy in 2019. Before his time in the music industry, he spent more than a decade in private equity and investment banking.

“I’m honored to step into this role at such an exciting time in the company’s evolution. I am grateful to Jon for his trust and support, and I am fortunate to have benefitted from Tom’s guidance and collaboration over the years.”

Greg Prata, Sony Music Publishing

Commenting on his promotion, Prata said: “I’m honored to step into this role at such an exciting time in the company’s evolution. I am grateful to Jon for his trust and support, and I am fortunate to have benefited from Tom’s guidance and collaboration over the years.

“I look forward to working closely with the entire team as we continue to develop our capabilities and generate opportunities for SMP songwriters.”

Sony Music Publishing Chairman & CEO Jon Platt added: “Greg has been a trusted leader on our team, and I’m pleased to see him step into the CFO role as we advance our next stage of growth.

“At the same time, we thank Tom for his remarkable tenure. His leadership has helped drive our success and set a high bar for excellence that Greg will continue to build upon.”

“Greg has been a trusted leader on our team, and I’m pleased to see him step into the CFO role as we advance our next stage of growth. At the same time, we thank Tom for his remarkable tenure.”

Jon Platt, Sony Music Publishing

The promotion follows a string of recent appointments at SMP. Earlier in February, Roslyn Pineda was appointed President, Asia, at SMP. She succeeded longtime SMP Asia President Carol Ng, who will remain with the company until her planned retirement at the end of March this year.

In November, Dee Hale was promoted to SVP, Film & TV Administration. She is based out of SMP’s Nashville office, reporting to Dale Esworth, EVP of Worldwide Administration. That same month, SMP appointed Michael Young as Chief Information Officer.

Prata’s appointment as CFO comes as SMP continues to make strategic signings and acquisitions. Last month, Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Domain Capital Group teamed up to acquire the catalog of artist and songwriter Miranda Lambert. Also in January, SMP signed producer and songwriter Jon Buscema to a global publishing deal, in partnership with Daniel Nigro and his publishing venture Amusement.

Other recent deals include the acquisition of Big Yellow Dog Music in Nashville and recent global publishing and administration agreements with artists and companies including BigXthaPlug, By Design, and Sea Gayle Music.

Music Business Worldwide