EMPIRE hires Leesa Brunson-Boland and Bina Fronda as SVPs in New York
EMPIRE has appointed Leesa Brunson-Boland as Senior Vice President of A&R Operations and Bina Fronda as Senior Vice President of Marketing, both in New York. The hires add senior leadership as the independent music company expands its work across genres and territories, strengthening the processes that take artists’ projects from recording to release and audience development.
Brunson-Boland joins from 300 Entertainment, where she led A&R Operations, after nearly two decades at Def Jam; she has worked with artists including Rihanna, Jay-Z and Justin Bieber. Fronda was previously Vice President of Marketing at Ultra Records, working with acts such as Steve Aoki and SOFI TUKKER, and will focus on EMPIRE’s dance, pop and general-market artists. The appointments follow other expansion moves, including a Nordic launch in July 2025 and a recent hire in EMPIRE Publishing.
In short
- EMPIRE names two New York-based senior vice-presidents.
- Brunson-Boland will lead A&R Operations.
- Fronda will focus on marketing across genres.
Explained simply
EMPIRE is an independent music company that works with artists to release and promote music across different genres and countries. A&R operations help coordinate the development and recording of artists’ projects, while marketing aims to connect released music with listeners.
Leesa Brunson-Boland has held A&R operations roles at 300 Entertainment and Def Jam, and has worked with artists including Rihanna and Jay-Z. Bina Fronda previously led marketing at Ultra Records, whose acts include Steve Aoki and SOFI TUKKER.
The appointments add senior staff in New York as EMPIRE expands its work across markets. They follow other growth steps, including a Nordic launch and a hire in its publishing business.