ARA Names Jen Jacobsen Executive Director
Washington, D.C. — The Artist Rights Alliance (ARA), a non-profit artist-run organization helping musicians navigate the ever-changing creative economy, has named music industry veteran Jen Jacobsen as its new Executive Director. Jen will work with ARA’s artist-led Board to amplify the voice of music creators in the ongoing effort to protect artists and their work in today’s music marketplace.
A lifelong musician and performer who is passionate about the arts, Jen has over 25 years of experience in the music and copyright policy arena, serving as Vice President, Industry & Government Relations at Sony Music Entertainment; Vice President, Global Public Policy at Time Warner, Inc.; and Director of Public Policy at AOL. She has worked to forge strategic partnerships across the music community and has helped lead state and federal policy initiatives that impact creators — from copyright protection to free speech to music licensing reform.
“As the music industry grapples with issues that could fundamentally change the landscape for artists and songwriters, ARA’s work has never been more vital,” Jen said. “I am honored to have been selected for this role by ARA’s Board — an inspiring group of working musicians, songwriters, and executives with decades of experience on the front lines of the music business. And I am committed to helping artists and songwriters get a seat at the table as the future of the creative economy is charted.”
“Jen Jacobsen is a strong, experienced leader who radiates energy and love of music and the arts,” said ARA Board Member Rosanne Cash. “Her dynamic presence will help ARA continue to stand up for artists and bring people together on important issues impacting our community. ARA has always stood for common sense, transparency, and equity for working creators, and we know Jen will carry on that tradition.”
ARA Board Member Tift Merritt added, “We also want to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Stacey Dansky for her hard work and commitment supporting ARA’s mission and goals. Stacey’s expertise, engagement, and partnership in promoting our artist rights agenda is recognized and deeply appreciated.”
Jen Jacobsen is a strong advocate for music education and the power of music to connect, heal, and inspire. She recently served as the Executive Director for Kid Pan Alley, a non-profit that teaches songwriting workshops in schools. Jen is a member of the D.C. Advisory Council for Musicians on Call and a graduate of the Nashville-based Leadership Music program. She attended Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
About the Artist Rights Alliance:
The Artist Rights Alliance is an artist-run, non-profit organization fighting for songwriters and musicians in the modern music economy. It is led by a Board of Directors including GRAMMY winner Rosanne Cash, artist manager Thomas Manzi, John McCrea of alternative rock band CAKE, critically acclaimed Americana singer/songwriter Tift Merritt, award-winning producer Ivan Barias, world guitar innovator Matthew Montfort, and Indie label executive and musician Maggie Vail. ARA works to ensure artists are at the table when decisions are made on policies that affect their lives and livelihoods and empowers artists to advocate directly for themselves through classes, events, and presentations to demystify music, politics, and the spaces where they intersect.
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For more information, please visit: https://artistrightsalliance.org
Media Contacts
Paul Freundlich & Shaun Gold, pfa Entertainment Media & Marketing / paulf@pfamedia.net, sgold@pfamedia.net
Casey Murray, Shape Advocacy / casey.murray@shapeadvocacy.com
