Veteran music industry executive Jessica Rivera has joined media company HOORAE — owned by an actor, producer and entrepreneur Issa Rae — as chairman of the Radio department. In her new position at Raedio, which is approaching its fifth anniversary, Rivera will oversee the various functions of the “audio everywhere” division, including the label, publishing, music supervision, podcasts and events.
Successor former president Benoni TagoeRivera will work closely with HOORAE's Chief Operating Officer Kaylin Cotton.
“Jessica's unparalleled expertise and visionary leadership make her the ideal candidate to lead Raedio,” Cotton said in the release. “Her track record of success in the music industry, combined with her passion for innovation, will undoubtedly propel Raedio to new heights.”
HOORAE CEO Rae adds: “We are thrilled to welcome Jessica to Raedio. Her multi-faceted industry experience, creative business vision, and strategic mindset align perfectly with Benoni and I's mission to empower artists and produce culture-changing music and work. I have no doubt that under Jessica's leadership, Raedio will continue to thrive and make a significant impact in the industry.”
Most recently, Rivera served as global senior vp/GM at SoundCloud, which she joined in 2022. During her tenure there, she oversaw the music streaming platform's artist collaborations and distribution businesses. Prior to that, Rivera served as head of artist relations for YouTube's West Coast region. Her key accomplishments there included executing a deal for exclusive live streaming rights to the 13th annual Roots Picnic in partnership with the former First Lady Michelle Obamaof the nonprofit voter registration organization When We All Vote. The online festival later won a 2021 Webby Award for Best Festival or Concert (Virtual and Remote Features). Rivera's extensive resume also includes her role as executive vice president/head of East Coast operations and creative at Universal Music Publishing Group.
ONE Advertising sign A 2020 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players honoree, Rivera says of her new presidency, “I am honored to join Raedio and work alongside the talented team at HOORAE. Radio has already made a significant impact in the audio content space and I'm excited to build on that foundation and drive continued growth and innovation. Together, our team will create exciting award-winning content that will resonate with audiences around the world.”
