Jim Roppo and Wendy Goldstein have been named co-presidents of Republic Records, the label announced today (Nov. 24). The two long-serving executives were named to their posts by label co-founders Monte and Avery Lipman.
“Wendy and Roppo together are the ultimate dynamic duo,” chairman/CEO Monte Lipman said in a statement. “Their leadership spearheading groundbreaking releases and historic campaigns has captured the imagination of our industry while making a tremendous impact on popular culture. I’m thrilled to make this announcement as we embark on the next chapter of Republic Records.”
Added Avery Lipman, “We can always rely on Roppo and Wendy to not only exceed expectations, but shatter them entirely. They’ve been integral to our success up to this point and will be even more crucial to the evolution of our company.”
Roppo has spent the better part of the past decade running the label’s marketing division, having moved to Republic in 2012 after a 13-year stint at Island Def Jam. In January 2018, he was promoted to executive vp/general manager of the label, taking over oversight of all label operations for Republic and its partners.
“There’s no other company like Republic,” Roppo said in a statement. “Monte and Avery empower everyone around them to excel at an unparalleled level. The last 10 years have been unforgettable, and I’m thankful for their continued trust and belief as I join my incredible co-president, the one and only Wendy Goldstein, in this new role.”
Goldstein is a longtime A&R executive, having spent time at Epic, RCA, Geffen and Priority/Capitol before moving to Republic in 2009 as A&R consultant. She held the title of executive vp A&R until the beginning of 2017, when she was promoted to executive vp of the entire label; in June of 2019, she was promoted again to the role of president of West Coast Creative.
“I’ve been very lucky to work with Monte, Avery and Republic for over two decades now,” Goldstein said in a statement. “They’ve showed me the utmost support and confidence at every turn and continue to inspire me. I’m looking forward to this amazing new opportunity alongside my good friend Roppo as we usher in Republic’s next era.”
This week, Republic landed several Grammy nominations, including two in the Big Four categories: Taylor Swift’s Evermore for album of the year, and Glass Animals for best new artist. So for this year, the label has racked up an 8.36% market share; the label currently has the No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and the No. 1 song on the Hot 100 thanks to Swift’s re-recording of her 2012 album Red, which was released Nov. 12.
