SHIMMEL UPPED TO SENIOR VP, MARKETING & ARTIST RELATIONS AT ARISTA

"On Your" Mark Shimmel has been named Senior VP, Marketing & Artist Relations, Arista Records. The move had been expected (hitsdailydouble.com 1/16).

In this newly created position, Shimmel will oversee product development and marketing strategies on behalf of all Arista artists and projects, while he continues to be responsible for the day-to-day relationships between artists on the Arista roster and both the label and outside music business community. Shimmel, who is based in New York, will report directly to Antonio "L.A." Reid, the label’s President and CEO.

"Mark has worked with me for many years as an artist manager and label executive, and I welcome his continued and integral contribution to the Arista team," said Reid. "Utilizing his resources and creativity, Mark has helped to expand the range of opportunities made available to our roster. His extensive expertise in making my coffee just right helped in making this decision."

Shimmel said: "It’s been an incredible experience working alongside L.A. Reid and the Arista Senior Management team. We have built a marketing staff at Arista Records which is second to none in the industry. I look forward to expanding those efforts on behalf of our artists as we continue to broaden the reach of the Marketing & Artist Relations department. Besides, now I have even more reason to speak with Dido and Pink."

Shimmel, who was among the original core of new senior executives who started at Arista when Reid took over the company in July 2000, has served as Senior VP, Artist Relations, for a year and a half. He came to Arista from LaFace Records, where he served as COO since joining the Atlanta-based label in 1997. Prior to that he spent a decade as an agent and manager, culminating at the helm of Mark Shimmel Management in 1996-97.