After a video montage featuring UMPG artists including Chris Martin, Brandi Carlile, J Balvin and Barry Gibb, Mariah Carey took the stage to present Billboard’s Executive of the Decade Jody Gerson, who has “approximately tripled her company’s publishing revenue while championing songwriters and fighting for the value of a song at every turn,” Carey noted. “In the process she’s shown the music industry how to lead a global music giant with grace, integrity, selflessness and the utmost respect for both songwriters and her staff while always speaking her mind and using her role as what she calls ‘a platform to build strategic bridges with influential leaders beyond the music industry. As a UMPG artist myself, I know the power of this woman very well and I’m grateful to work alongside someone who advocates steadfastly for songwriters.”

Gerson then came onstage to accept the award calling it “truly a special moment accepting this award from an artist and songwriter who’s spent more weeks at number one than anyone in history.”

In her speech Gerson went on to say she has “the best job in the world working with and supporting some of the greatest artists and songwriters of all time. They have all touched my heart and enriched my soul through their music. They mean the world to me and I care about them and their songs deeply.” – KATIE BAIN

With details of their long friendship former film studio executive and chairwoman of Universal Music Group’s board of directors Sherry Lansing presented Lucian Grainge with his award for landing atop the Billboard Power 100 ranking for an eighth year.

“The only thing harder than becoming No.1 is staying No.1,” Lansing said of Grainge’s accomplishment. “The source of Lucian’s success is not just his vision or his business savvy or his ability to not only drive change but to embrace it… The key to Lucian’s success is his undiminished lifelong passion for great music and the artists who make it.”

Grainge detailed how he has seen many technological advances in music over the years – from sheet music to radio to synthesizers and more. “But this time is different,” Grainge said. “It is different because we’ve always had to deal with reproduction and distribution but now with AI it’s going to really embed itself into creation… we’ve never really had that before.”

He continued: “All of us will be challenged to be able to define what real creativity actually means and how we can protect the role of creative artists – human beings with original ideas and soul. I believe that this is an opportunity for all of us to collaborate – independents majors managers lawyers – all of us with a common goal and common interest and shared values to harness AI. AI collaboration means aligning behind new legal frameworks and business models structures that protect and elevate great music and great artists that ensure listeners are not overwhelmed in a sea of imitation and a sea of slop.”

“If we get this right,” Grainge added “I believe that this transformation will allow our industry to continue to grow and continue to change – because we’ve grown and changed cyclically for the last fifty sixty seventy years. This transformation is different.” – TAYLOR MIMS

Clipse’s Pusha T — nominated for album of the year at this coming weekend’s Grammy Awards for their comeback album Let God Sort Em Out — presented the Billboard Breakthrough Executive of the Year award to his manager Alex DePersia. “I first met Alex DePersia fifteen years ago when she was just getting started in music as an assistant at Pharrell’s company I AM OTHER. Over the years I’ve watched her make moves navigate the industry meet new challenges continuously grow into the incredible executive she is today. I’ve always been impressed with Alex’s creativity her instincts her strategic thinking and her all-out hustle. Alex has always been tapped in.”

DePersia took the podium to thank Clipse her “original mentor” Caron Veazey and a slew of other top women executives — Jody Gerson Jen Mallory Lesley Olenik and more saying “I look up to these women deeply. Their guidance has shaped how I build how I lead how I parent — everything. I carry it with me it’s a privilege to know them.”

She then spoke about her career started in two thousand eleven working with Ron Laffitte rising through ranks through years working with artists like Gracie Abrams Pharrell and more. “Twenty twenty-five was a breakthrough year for me,” she said. “I started my own company By The Way my husband I welcomed our first child… Motherhood gave me confidence bet on myself create on my own terms move with even more intention sharpened instincts deepened empathy raised bar how I show up for my artists for work.” Then cap speech added huge applause “Fuck ICE have great night.” – DAN RYS

Following warm introduction from Justin Eshak Imran Majid Island co -CEOs (and Billboard ’s two thousand twenty-five executives year ) Janelle Lopez Genzink accepted honor as two thousand twenty-six Executive Year . Lopez Genzink touched childhood saying given amazing opportunity live out dream . As shared possible thanks grandma immigrating working double shifts garment industry .

As result Lopez Genzink — second-generation immigrant — said always believed what American dream can actually be . Today dream looks like founding leading music management company Volara supporting roster includes Sabrina Carpenter Marina HAIM . “I started Volara create more space women industry” said Lopez Genzink . She then added roster herself : “There nothing better than strong woman clear vision.” –LYNDSEY HAVENS