Kobalt beefs up global creative team

The additions are expected to bring new perspectives and expertise to Kobalt, enabling the company to further distinguish itself as a leading destination for creativity in the music industry. Lanier and O’Meara will serve as vice president, creative and director, creative, respectively. Their roles will include recruiting artists and writers and collaborating with Kobalt’s creative team globally.

Kobalt’s head of West Coast creative Jamie Kinelski said hiring Lindsey Lanier would greatly benefit their team due to her passion, experience and industry connections. He added that her appointment would be a win for Kobalt’s writers and enhance the company’s reputation as a top creative destination.

“We are thrilled to have Desi join Kobalt’s New York-based A&R team,” the company’s vice president, creative, Melissa Emert-Hutner, said. “He’s a true champion of music creators, with an impressive history of doing A&R at Columbia Records as well as management. With Desi’s focus on electronic and pop, he is a strong asset for Kobalt and a welcomed addition to our team.”

Lanier started her career in music at Universal Music Publishing Group, where she spent 11 years, starting as an assistant and moving up to become a creative executive. An industry vet, O’Meara boasts more than a decade of experience in A&R. He began his career at Island-Def Jam before moving on to become director of A&R at Columbia Records/Sony Music. During his tenure at Columbia, Desi played a key role in identifying, signing and overseeing the creative development of artists while also fostering relationships with songwriters, producers, and managers. 

“I am so excited to join the creative team at Kobalt,” Lanier said. “For so long, I have been a fan of this company, this team and the incredible roster of global talent across all genres. My entire career has been built on my passion for discovering and nurturing talent and I am honoured to be able to continue to do that here. I’d like to thank Jamie, Alison, Jeannette, and Laurent for the opportunity to bring that passion and my experience to this innovative and technology-powered music company.”

O’Meara said: “I am delighted to be joining Kobalt, a company known for its dedication to music creators and its innovative tech. I am also honoured to join such a talented creative team and privileged to work alongside individuals who share my passion for music and songwriters. I have long admired Kobalt’s commitment to service and transparency, and I am grateful to Laurent, Jeannette, Alison, and Melissa for their confidence and support. I look forward to contributing to the team and helping to empower music creators with the resources they need to succeed.”