Jay Frank (music executive)
Jay Frank | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Livingston, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | October 13, 2019 (aged 47) |
| Occupation(s) | Music industry executive, author |
| Known for | Founder of DigSin, senior vice president at Universal Music Group, author of Futurehit.DNA and Hack Your Hit |
Jay Frank (December 24, 1971 – October 13, 2019) was a prominent figure in the American music industry, recognized both as an executive and an author. He founded DigSin, a digital label that provided subscribers with complimentary music content.
Biography
Originally from Livingston, New Jersey, Frank completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Ithaca College. His early professional experiences included managing a music venue, programming for broadcast radio, and producing local music video programs. He held marketing and A&R roles at Ignition Records and was the senior music director for The Box Music Network. Prior to his tenure at CMT beginning in 2007, Frank was vice president of music programming and label relations at Yahoo! Music, later advancing to senior vice president of music strategy. In 2015, he took on the role of senior vice president of global streaming marketing at Universal Music Group.
Frank authored Futurehit. DNA in 2009, a book that explored the elements contributing to successful songs and outlined fifteen essential principles for songwriters. His follow-up publication, Hack Your Hit, focused on affordable marketing techniques for musicians leveraging social media platforms. Futurehit.DNA was well-received within industry circles.
He contributed as a board member to organizations such as the Academy of Country Music, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and Leadership Music. Additionally, Frank was affiliated with NARAS and engaged with the CRS Marketing Committee as well as the Leadership Music Digital Summit.
An active speaker on topics related to music technology, Frank presented at numerous events including The New Music Seminar, South by Southwest, Canadian Music Week, ASCAP Expo, Digital Music Forum, MusExpo, CMJ, SF Music Tech Summit, Mobile Entertainment Summit, and MIDEM. He also instructed at Rock and Load Music Group’s 2010 University Event and participated in multiple industry conferences.
Frank passed away due to cancer on October 13, 2019, at the age of 47.