Def Jam Hires Mormile & Burroughs

Def Jam Recordings bolsters its executive ranks with a couple of widely respected industry vets — DJ Mormile joins as Executive Vice President, West Coast and Jeff Burroughs is the newly named Senior Vice President of Marketing. The announcement was made by Paul Rosenberg, Chairman & CEO, Def Jam Recordings.

Mormileis an L.A.-based hitmaker and manager whose clients include Mike Will Made It, YG and Soulja Boy. He notably spent 14 years with Interscope Records, rising to Head of the label’s Urban Music Department. He spent the past three years as SVP of A&R at Columbia Records. In his new role, Mormile will be based at Def Jam’s Santa Monica offices and report directly to Rosenberg. Mormile also brings his own label venture to the company, where he will sign and develop talent exclusively for Def Jam Recordings.

Rosenberg said, “DJ brings to Def Jam over twenty years of experience in the industry and a resumé that includes a long string of decorated accomplishments and accolades. We are very lucky to bring his sharp ear, experience and strong relationships into our fold.” Mormile remarked, “It’s an honor to be reunited with Paul Rosenberg after beginning our careers together almost 20 years ago. Now here we are at Def Jam, the label with the strongest brand and legacy in Urban music. I’m excited to be joining the renowned Def Jam team, and I look forward to developing artists with its talented staff.”

Burroughs will direct marketing activities based at Def Jam’s New York City headquarters, leading Def Jam’s team of product managers in creating and executing strategic campaigns on behalf of the label’s diverse roster of marquee names and emerging artists. He will report to Scott Greer, EVP marketing & Commerce and Rich Isaacson, GM & EVP. Burroughs comes to Def Jam from Rise Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based marketing, consulting and brand strategy firm he founded. He began his career at Bad Boy Entertainment in 1995 as EVP. He later moved to RCA Records as SVP and was Head of Commercial for Simon Cowell’s SYCO.

“Jeff is the embodiment of the forward-thinking renaissance marketing executive,” said Rosenberg. “He has mastered the subtleties of high-profile brand leveraging and new product launches, experiencing an extraordinary level of success whose lessons can be brought to bear in today’s competitive music marketplace. I’m confident that Jeff will play a transformative role in Def Jam’s future.” Burroughs commented, “I’m excited to re-enter the major label system and proud to be joining Paul Rosenberg, Rich Isaacson, Scott Greer and the talented Def Jam executives at the undisputed home of hip-hop. I intend to make sure that I add value at a critical and opportune time in the history of this legendary label.”