John Baptiste appointed Manager Urban Music Product Development for RED Distribution

ATLANTA, GA. (RED Distribution) - I am pleased to announce the promotion of John Baptiste to the newly created position of Manager, Urban Music Product Development for RED Distribution effective immediately. He will continue to report to me. In his new position John will assist me in a wide range of activities in the creative as well as business development of urban music at RED.

John's duties will include several key areas such as: research analysis, working with current labels and presentation of perspective labels with a heavier emphasis on developing urban music. In addition, John will help in creating a stronger atmosphere for doing more urban music business with SonyBMG as we have done with RED Strategic Marketing in the rock and pop areas.

For the past 10 years, RED along with Relativity and Loud Records were responsible for several of the very best hip hop albums ever and this legacy continues with Ruthless Records today. I felt the need to create a position that could better meet the demands and challenges of the 'new' independent urban music landscape with different approaches and innovative ways to obtain the best product for RED Distribution.
John has played a key role in bringing Rawkus Records and Gospel music label JDI Records to RED.

John has worked with us since 1998 joining Harmony Records as Marketing/Sales assistant shifting to RED in 1999 as Product Marketing coordinator, moving up to the head of that department then Executive Assistant. In each role John has given above and beyond with great passion and keen instincts for our business. RED prides itself on nurturing talented executives and we wish him well in this new role.