HIPGNOSIS GETS
EVEN HIPPER

Merck Mercuriadis' Hipgnosis Song Management (HSM) has announced three key hires. Danny Bennett joins as EVP, Sara Lord is now EVP of content creation and Patrick Joest is head of synchronization.

“Danny, Sara and Patrick have developed careers based on integrity and each has a proven track record of strong delivery,” Hipgnosis CEO/founder Mercuriadis said. “Danny brings a deep understanding of the new technologies that are a catalyst for success in today’s business. His arrival will better enable Hipgnosis to capitalize on countless untapped opportunities, thereby creating value to Hipgnosis funds and ushering in fresh, captivated audiences to our unparalleled collection of Songs.

“The U.S. is our biggest single market and for some time we have been looking to find the right person to lead our marketing and audience development and Danny is a perfect fit. In Sara and Patrick, we have two seasoned experts who will respectively, drive forward our partnerships with content creators and content producers making the most of our incredible songs.”

Bennett, the son of Tony Bennett, has decades of experience working with Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Elvis Costello, Ozzy Osbourne and many others. He previously served as CEO/president of Verve Label Group, where he restructured the label and revitalized the classic jazz and classical catalogue and signed Jon Batiste, Tank and the Bangas and Madison Cunningham, among others.

Lord comes from Concord, where she built an international team and oversaw several successful initiatives, including the Concord Art Prize. Joest joined Hipgnosis in 2021. His career spans over 20 years in media and music at Sony, BMG, Warner and MTV.

The three new arrivals are pictured in the handsome black-and-white rotating .gif seen here; Joest is the one wearing specs.

Along with the new appointments, Mercuriadis also announced the departure of Hipgnosis’ Chief Music Officer, Ted Cockle. “Given our decision to focus our marketing in the U.S.," he explained, Cockle would "work on the transition to America over the coming weeks. I would like to thank Ted for all he has done for Hipgnosis, and I hope there will be opportunities to work together again in the future.”

Stay tuned for more Hipgnosis news. When you awaken you will remember nothing.