The first major honor of the night went to Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), who received the International Executive of the Year award.
Addressing a sold-out ballroom at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, Gerson paid tribute to the British and Irish musicians who “shaped” her “earliest memories” from The Beatles to Petula Clark, The Hollies, The Rolling Stones and others. She also gave a shout-out to Bob Geldof for his work on Live Aid, which Gerson said demonstrated “the true unifying power of music”.
“British and Irish songwriters form so much of UMPG’s foundation—iconic songwriters and artists like Elton John and Bernie Taupin, The Clash, Mark Knopfler, The Cure, JoyDivision and New Order, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Annie Lennox, the Bee Gees and many more,” said Gerson.
