Hopeless Records has announced the expansion of its team with a number of new hires and internal promotions.
“As the company continues to grow and adapt in an ever-changing music landscape, these strategic moves solidify the label’s position as a trailblazer in the independent music industry,” said a statement.
Hopeless Records has made appointments across various departments, including marketing, operations, and the label’s newest charity initiative, Hopeless Music Academy.
The label has elevated Ian Harrison to executive vice president. In his new role, Harrison will lead business development and continue the label’s global expansion.
Erin Choi, who has also worked at the company for nearly 20 years, is stepping up to general manager. In her new role, Choi will oversee the worldwide marketing, promotions, retail and international departments, as well as shape the overall marketing strategy for artists and company initiatives.
“As I enter my 20th year at Hopeless, I’m excited to step into this new role, leading our business development, international expansion, and next-generation opportunities for our artists,” said Ian Harrison. “Watching Hopeless grow from a small team in Los Angeles to a truly global operation with arena-filling artists has been an incredible journey, and I’m eager to build on that momentum with our expanded team.
“I’m also thrilled to welcome fresh perspectives to our team and leadership group, especially our new GM, Erin, whose significant experience and vision will be instrumental in shaping the future of Hopeless and our artists. A huge thank you to our founder and president, Louis, for his leadership in building such an incredible label, and to our artists and the entire Hopeless team worldwide – none of this would be possible without you.”
Watching Hopeless grow from a small team in Los Angeles to a truly global operation with arena-filling artists has been an incredible journey
Ian Harrison
"I feel incredibly lucky to have started and built my career at Hopeless Records and I'm excited to move into the general manager role to continue to advocate and support our amazing artists and hard-working, passionate team,” said Erin Choi. “I joined the company as an intern in 2005 and fortuitously have been able to work and lead teams in multiple areas, including operations, licensing/sync, and most recently product management and marketing. I'm thrilled to continue to build on the incredible legacy that Hopeless Records has achieved in its 30-plus year history and launch the next era in our story."
Christina Johns has been elevated to vice president of operations. Johns, who has held a post at Hopeless Records since 2018, is now overseeing all operations at the label.
Nonafaye Williams has been promoted to senior director, product management. Nonafaye first joined in 2023 after more than a decade at Fearless Records.
Jen Darmafall has joined Hopeless as director of marketing at Hopeless. She was previously at ATG Group, where she served as director, marketing.
Rheanna ‘Caedance’ Lauren has been appointed to serve as programme director – Hopeless Music Academy. The studio in North Hollywood will welcome under-resourced youth from the Los Angeles area who would like to learn more about music business, or learn to make music, at no cost to them.
Hopeless Records founder Louis Posen: “One of the most rewarding aspects of leading Hopeless through our first 30 years has been contributing to the development of peoples personal, professional and artistic careers. I am so excited for Ian, Erin and Christina after they worked so hard to now have larger leadership roles with our amazing team. The three of them alongside Al Person, CFO and Eric Tobin, EVP of A&R, comprise a caring and talented executive team. Nonafaye’s promotion and welcoming Jen Darmafall to the family rounds out our smart, creative, and passionate marketing team that is best in class in developing artists careers.
“Additionally, the Hopeless Music Academy, a long-time dream of our company, is finally a reality because of the great work of our new programme director Rheanna. I can’t wait to be part of the future of Hopeless led by these special people and the rest of our team.”
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