Former Def Jam Exec, Julie Greenwald, Promoted To Atlantic Records COO

Yesterday it was announced that hip-hop industry veteran Julie Greenwald was promoted from the president of the Atlantic Records Group to their chairman and chief operating officer.

Since 2004, Greenwald has served as president of Atlantic where she worked with such acts as T.I., Diddy, Missy Elliot, Gnarls Barkley, Lupe Fiasco, Estelle, Plies, and Flo Rida. In an economy where record sales are low and internet downloads are high, Greenwald is credited with helping the company become America's number one label in 2008, as well as become the first label to have its digital sales surpass its physical.

“Her innovative management strategies and marketing brilliance combined with her incredible passion for our artists make her one of the most talented executives I’ve ever encountered,” Atlantic CEO Craig Kallman said in a statement.

Greenwald has a long history in the hip-hop biz. Starting her career at Def Jam Records in 1992, she began working in the marketing department where she worked with rap heavyweights like LL Cool J, Jay-Z and DMX to name a few. In 2002, she was named both president of Island Records and executive vice president of Island Def Jam where she helped to advance the careers of Kanye West and Mariah Carey, among others.

In related music industry news, Epic Records recently named Grammy nominated songstress and performer Amanda Ghost as their new president, according to Billboard. During her career Ghost has worked with Hov, Kanye, Beyonce and Jordin Sparks. She will start her new position on Feb. 16th. – Shariff Duncan