It’s back to school season, which means two things: getting used to the insane morning rush to the bus again and the obligatory first-day-of-school pics from everyone you know. And, in this case, celebrities really are just like us.

Take Carey Hart. P!nk‘s husband and former motocross champ got in on the fall tradition by posting a sweet pic of the couple’s eldest child, 14-year-old daughter Willow Sage Hart, as she prepared to leave the house for her first day of high school. Rocking jeans, a pink crop top, a couple of water bottles and a smile that’s a dead-ringer for her mom’s, Willow looks ready to take on the world.

“1st day of school for the kiddo’s!!!! So crazy that Willz is starting high school today,” wrote Hart in the Instagram post in which the couple’s daughter sported a wavy 1970s side-part bob. “My lil girl is growing up and taking the 1st major step in chasing her dream,” Hart continued. “You will be on broadway one day. So proud of you. And Jamo, just don’t eat to much glue 🤣🤣🤣.”

The latter was a jokey reference to the couple’s other child, eight-year-old son Jameson Moon Hart, who also looked ready to take on the world with his close-cropped bleach blonde hair, white t-shirt, patterned shorts, orange sneakers and shiny braces smile.

Hart paid tribute to Willow on her 14th birthday back in June, when he posted a smiling current photo of the budding musical theater star in a white dress and chunky necklace alongside a throwback pic of her crushing a popsicle in her younger years. “My #1. I love you to the moon, around it 10,000,000 times, and back. Happy 14th kiddo. You are gonna change the world. I’m beyond proud of you. Love papa,” he wrote.

P!nk also honored their first-born back in June, when the singer gushed about Willow hopping on the coffee table in the family living room during the Tony Awards to sing her version of the Tony-nominated musical Boop!‘s “Where I Wanna Be.” In a comment on the impromptu performance, P!nk said, “I like when she sings at me.”

Over the past several years, few music industry stories have been quite so unusually successful as that of Laufey. 

The Iceland-born 26-year-old singer and multi-instrumentalist arrived on the scene with the EP Typical of Me in 2021, released independently through AWAL, before releasing her debut album Everything I Know About Love the following year. But it was 2023’s Bewitched that catapulted her into the mainstream consciousness, debuting at No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and ultimately winning a Grammy Award for best traditional pop vocal album. All of which seems like a story that, while not exactly straightforward, is not particularly unheard of. 

The difference, for Laufey, is that she isn’t really making traditional pop vocal music: instead, the supremely talented artist is bringing a blend of jazz and classical music into the pop realm for a mainstream Gen Z audience in a way that hasn’t really ever happened before — and is still doing it independently through AWAL. This week, her third album, A Matter Of Time, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on four separate Billboard charts —  Independent Albums, Jazz Albums, Traditional Jazz Albums and Vinyl Albums — and became the highest-charting jazz album since 2018.

But chart success is just one aspect of Laufey’s appeal — she’s also a natural expert at social strategy, caters to her fans with initiatives like her Laufey Book Club and her annual A Very Laufey Day (a sort of cross between fan celebration, performance piece and interactive scavenger hunt) and has become a must-see touring artist as well. And her success over the past five years, culminating with this big album achievement, earns her manager, Foundations Artist Management’s Max Gredinger, the title of Billboard’s Executive of the Week.

Here, Gredinger discusses the last few years of Laufey’s rise through A Matter of Time, how she has brought her own brand of pop music to the mainstream and what comes next: “We’re just getting started.”

This week, Laufey’s new album A Matter of Time debuted at No. 1 on four Billboard charts and became her first Billboard 200 top 10, arriving at No. 4. What key decision did you make to help make that happen?

Culture comes from the top down, and Laufey has always led the charge with her creative vision. We had a global team meeting in Reykjavik, where Laufey grew up, at the top of the year about the album and how we wanted to approach this rollout, which we kicked off with Laufey talking through the world of the album. It’s been great reflecting on the decisions made in that room and seeing where we stood firm or pivoted during the campaign.

A Matter of Time is the highest-charting jazz album in seven years. Given that jazz is not often topping the charts, or particularly popular with younger generations, how have you worked to introduce Laufey’s music to younger and pop-leaning audiences?

Laufey’s mandate has always been to be a part of bringing her beloved influences of classical and jazz music to her generation. She communicates with them on channels native to both her and her audience, and as a consumer, she is part of the same cultural conversation. We talked in the early days of working together on targeting her peers and not just pandering to an audience that we thought would “get” what she does. 

As the album was coming out, a remix of “From The Start,” from her last album Bewitched, started blowing up on TikTok. How did that help build momentum, and how do you guys use TikTok in general to help market her music? 

Jiandro remixed “From The Start,” and Laufey joined the trend. It became a catalyst for the original recording, which two years after its release is now reaching new consumption peaks daily. The core of our TikTok strategy is watching Laufey do her thing on the platform. In nearly five years of working together, we’ve never once needed to provide direction or ask her to post more. She is her own best advocate and is the most brilliant marketing executive I’ve ever met. Outside of her channels we have a robust global shortform strategy.

How have you grown Laufey’s fan base over the course of her three albums, particularly since Bewitched, which brought her a ton of attention and won a Grammy for best traditional pop vocal album?

Laufey’s commitment to engaging fans on tour and engaging with local audiences around the world and not just online has been essential. There’s a natural global nature to an Icelandic-Chinese artist who grew up between D.C. and Iceland and now lives in L.A. Great art has always been paramount. We have a stellar team at Foundations, Vingolf and AWAL that work tirelessly every day on world building out Laufey’s vision across a litany of different verticals in addition to the traditional records, publishing, merchandising, etc., like Mei Mei The Bunny, Laufey Book Club, The Laufey Foundation and A Very Laufey Day. Laufey and [twin sister] Junia work so hard to make sure every creative detail is accounted for. 

The album racked up 71,000 sales, her best sales week yet, boosted by eight vinyl and three CD variants. What was your guys’ sales strategy with this release, and how does vinyl play a role in that?

We created exclusive variants with unique creative for a myriad of different partners, and not just creating variants to check a box or for the sake of sales. The product included a 7” release that Laufey only revealed to her audience after they already had it in hand and released on DSPs on A Very Laufey Day. Laufey spent countless hours at home, traveling, in green rooms, etc. signing physical product. 

Laufey has remained independent, releasing music through AWAL, despite tons of major label interest. Why have you guys gone that route, and what has it allowed you to do that you may not have been able to otherwise?

We’re fortunate to have partners that trust, enable and empower Laufey to both create and own art that is true to her and in turn resonates with her audience. They are an incredible global team and both myself and Laufey are very grateful to have worked with them in the trenches on three album campaigns, all of which have been bigger and more ambitious than the last.

Ravyn Lenae, GELO and Odeal accepted the R&B, Hip-Hop and African Rookies of the Year award at Billboard‘s 2025 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event Thursday night (Sept. 4) at Unveiled in New York.

Staff writer Kyle Denis and I introduced the three Rookies, touting their Billboard chart stats — Lenae scored her first Billboard Hot 100 top five hit with “Love Me Not” and GELO’s “Tweaker” topped Rhythmic Airplay — and genre-blending capabilities, as Odeal has captured the global spotlight with his emotive, experimental blend of Afro-fusion, alté and R&B.

“As I was preparing for tonight, I kept reflecting on how transformative this past year has been for me. So many of my wildest dreams have become reality, and I’m still pinching myself to be living in a season I’ve worked toward for so long,” said Lenae, who also touched on the working process behind her 2024 critically acclaimed sophomore album Bird’s Eye, the parent project of “Love Me Not.”

“I knew I had to strip everything back and reconnect with who I am beyond success or perception,” she added. “That meant going home to the Southside of Chicago, walking through my family home, eating my grandma’s cooking, revisiting the albums that made me want to sing in the first place. Those little things reminded me of my roots, my magic.”

When the spotlight was on Odeal, he reflected it back on everyone else in the room. “I want everyone to celebrate themselves at every time. My manager today told me to never be late to your own party, ’cause I’m literally always late to everything it’s ridiculous,” he said. “With that being said, I just want everyone to celebrate themselves at any given moment because life is short and we’re all doing absolutely amazing and we have to work twice as hard as almost anyone, you know what I’m talking about.”

GELO also shared his gratitude for being a part of Billboard‘s Rookie of the Year tradition at R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players. “It means a lot to be a part of the Billboard Rookie of the Year and all that. Thank everybody for having me, man, it’s been a blessing,” he said.

Lenae, GELO and Odeal will perform at Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B LIVE Friday night (Sept. 5) at Webster Hall on a bill headlined by Billboard cover star Leon Thomas.

This year marks the first time Billboard has separated R&B and hip-hop for this distinction and added African music as another category. Teezo Touchdown won the R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Year award last year, following Ice Spice (2023), Blxst (2022) and the inaugural recipient Baby Keem (2021).

Thomas, Cardi B, Wu-Tang Clan and TDE CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith were also honored at R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players.

Sony Music Publishing elevated Jordi Tello to managing director of Iberia, succeeding longtime Spain MD Juan Ignacio Alonso, who retired in August. Based in Madrid, Tello will oversee creative and business operations across Spain and Portugal, reporting to SMP president of international Guy Henderson. Tello joined SMP in April 2024 as A&R director, working with top artists like Rels B, Morad, Rigoberta Bandini, and Vicco, while SMP Iberia continues to represent iconic talent such as Jose Luis Perales, Estopa, Rozalén and Love of Lesbian. With over 25 years of experience, Tello began his career as a musician before transitioning into the music business in 1999 as an A&R for Warner Music, later spending 15 years at Universal Music Publishing — ultimately as A&R director — before joining Sony Music as an A&R director in 2017 and returning to publishing at SMP in 2024. Henderson praised Tello’s leadership and industry acumen, while Alonso expressed confidence in his successor. “I am delighted… and feel confident that the amazing work achieved by SMP Iberia’s current and former teams will be pursued and fostered under his leadership,” he said.

Canadian music executive Paul Haagenson was appointed president of Bruce Allen Talent, effective Oct. 6. The move comes as company founder Bruce Allen steps into the role of chairman, continuing his involvement with the Vancouver-based management firm. Haagenson previously served as president of Live Nation Canada, where he oversaw some of the country’s biggest tours and events. Before that, he was vice president and GM of the Western Division at House of Blues Concerts Canada. His decades of experience in the live music and talent management industries position him to steer Bruce Allen Talent into its next chapter. Bruce Allen Talent represents a diverse lineup of artists, including Canadian icon Anne Murray, Michael Bublé, Jann Arden, producer Bob Rock, and rock band The Offspring, with Bryan Adams among its past clients. “The company has a tremendous roster of talented artists, and I want to make sure they continue to get the best service we can offer,” Allen said in a statement. “Paul is going to add so much. He has a big reputation, and he understands the business incredibly well.” –Peony Hirwani

Virgin Music Group appointed Cindy Gu as general manager of Southeast Asia, overseeing operations in Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Based in Singapore, Gu is focused on expanding VMG’s presence across Southeast Asia — the six markets are home to over 600 million people — while advancing the company’s mission to support independent artists and labels throughout these dynamic markets. Gu brings over a decade of experience in electronic music, having led Fabled Records — a joint venture between Live Nation and Astralwerks — while championing regional talent and driving global success with standout releases like “Lathi” by Weird Genius and “Way Back Home.” She joins Liza Fuady, regional director, who will continue leading commercial strategy from Jakarta. “An entrepreneur herself, she knows firsthand what it takes to build successful independent music businesses and will be a valuable partner to entrepreneurs in one of the world’s most important high growth regions,” said JT Myers, co-CEO of Virgin Music Group.

Gibson appointed Anne Rohosy as chief commercial officer, expanding her leadership to oversee global commercial strategy across wholesale, direct-to-consumer and retail channels. Since joining Gibson in 2021, Rohosy has driven organizational transformation, led HR and culture initiatives, and revitalized the iconic guitar maker’s amplifier division. With over 30 years of leadership at global brands like Levi Strauss & Co. and Nike, Anne Rohosy brings extensive expertise in brand building, sales, marketing, strategic growth, and board-level innovation across consumer and tech-driven markets. “Anne’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Gibson’s transformation over the past several years,” said Cesar Gueikian, president and CEO of Gibson.

Big Machine Label Group announced a round of promotions and hirings in the label group’s international division, which continues to lead the label’s international efforts across key markets including the UK and Australia. Alex Hannaby has been elevated to vp of international marketing and operations (in addition to her role as head of U.K.). Iren Coutiel has been promoted to senior international digital & commercial manager, while international marketing & promotions manager Roxanne Gwillam-Kelly expands responsibilities to include overseeing projects in the U.K. and beyond, while international marketing & promotions manager Flo Myerscough-Harris expands her role from overseeing select projects in the U.K. to also include other international territories. International label intern Cary Dal-Lago will assist on all global BMLG projects. –Jessica Nicholson

Symphonic Distribution appointed Victor Roque as senior director of A&R and client development, LATAM, marking a strategic expansion into Puerto Rico alongside a new partnership with High Ground Music (HGM). Roque, a seasoned business development expert and former national director of marketing for Spanish Broadcasting System, brings over a decade of experience in artist marketing and event promotion. Based in P.R. and reporting to Symphonic’s vp of LATAM biz-dev, Greg Vinas, he’ll lead Symphonic’s efforts in artist acquisition and catalog growth across the Caribbean. His hiring will be celebrated at a launch event tonight (Sept. 5) in San Juan, co-hosted by Symphonic and HGM, whose founding team includes former Rimas execs.

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Penske Media Corporation named Eugenia Richman vp of editorial innovation, where she will lead strategic content development, studio initiatives and revenue growth across PMC’s portfolio (Billboard included). Richman, formerly editor-in-chief of Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), brings nearly a decade of leadership experience within PMC and will report to evp of strategy & operations Tom Finn. Simultaneously, Fairchild Media Group, a PMC division, promoted Michael Atmore to EIC of WWD, adding to his role as chief brand officer. Atmore will oversee WWD’s editorial direction across all platforms while continuing to lead Footwear News and FMG’s live events team, reporting directly to Amanda Smith, CEO of FMG, and James Fallon, chief content officer.

Bryce Buckner and Eric Bindman have each been elevated to partner at dance/electronic management company Prodigy Artists. In addition to this partner role, Buckner serves as senior manager and label manager at Prodigy and has been key in driving growth with an roster that includes headliners like SLANDER and NGHTMRE along with a slate of other songwriters and producers. Buckner also leads the teams behind the Gud Vibrations and Heaven Sent labels, in partnership with Insomniac Music Group. Meanwhile Bindman is partner and director of operations, a role that includes looking after a client roster featuring the Grammy-nominated and Gold-certified producer Audien, along with Elephante, NIIKO X SWAE and Emorfik. He brings 15 years of experience to the role, having worked across artist management, touring, publishing, operations, and team leadership. –Katie Bain

Esa-Pekka Salonen will be the LA Phil’s first creative director, beginning in the 2026/27 season. He’ll lead six weeks of concerts annually and spearhead innovative, multidisciplinary programming. This new role complements the ongoing search for a music director and reflects the LA Phil’s commitment to artistic excellence and audience expansion. Salonen, who was music director from 1992–2009, has had a transformative impact on the orchestra, commissioning numerous works and collaborating on landmark productions. The LA Phil also announced a partnership with the Philharmonie de Paris, where Salonen will serve as creativity and innovation chair and principal conductor. Joint initiatives include a conducting fellowship, ballet commissions, and immersive music-tech experiences.

Jack Babnew officially launched Automatic Classic, a boutique consulting and project development firm in Los Angeles that supports artist clients through services like artist development, A&R consulting, creative strategy, tour logistics and brand partnerships. With over a decade of experience at firms like TMWRK and Gold Theory Artists, Babnew has worked with acts such as MØ, Dorian Electra and Animal Collective, and led global campaigns and collaborations with brands like a24 and Gucci Beauty. Babnew said Automatic Classic’s mission is to empower artists, labels and producers to move creatively and confidently, stating, “If you have the vision, we have the drive.”

NASHVILLE NOTES: Ryan Aviation Group hired head of sales Lexi Dunfey. She arrives after 12 years with Private Jet Services, where she was most recently senior sales director… PLA Media hired public relations specialist Matt Bjorke. He was the longtime editor in chief of the now-defunct Roughstock.com… Marb Marketing head of PR Caitlin Blackford ended a five-year run with the company on Aug. 29, with her next role on the horizon. In her absence, Ave East Marketing publicity manager Natalie Blakley will take on Blackford’s clients.

Kyn Fellows joined UMG/Def Jam Recordings as the newest publicity director, based in the label’s Los Angeles office. Fellows arrives following nearly two years at Biz 3 Publicity, where she played a key role in shaping artist narratives and executing press campaigns for City Girls, Victoria Monét, Babyface and RAYE, among others. Her experience spans media strategy, talent relations and red carpet coordination. Prior to Biz 3, Fellows spent six years at Kennedy Rowe PR, working with major artists like Cam’Ron, Drake, Britney Spears and Chris Brown. Her career also includes time at Jive/RCA Records, Capitol Records, MTV Networks and The Chamber Group in New York.

Last Week’s Turntable: Spotify Picks Head of Nashville Editorial, Plus Merlin Hires Legal Affairs Wiz