Music Industry Exec Jerry Mannery Leaves Malaco Records

CHICAGO, IL. (OwensMorris Communications) - OwensMorris Communications announced today that Jerry Mannery will join the marketing communications agency on May 1 as Client Service Director, Entertainment Marketing Division.

Mannery will provide grassroots and entertainment marketing services for the agency's clients including TV One, ExxonMobil and Darden Restaurants. Mannery has enjoyed a 20-year tenure with Malaco Music Group in Jackson, MS, and for the past 13 years as Executive Director of the Gospel Division.

A Detroit native, Mannery grew up in Florence, MS. He majored in Journalism and English Literature at Tougaloo College and Jackson State University. While at Jackson State he met his mentor, Margaret Walker Alexander, noted author of "For My People" and "Jubilee." It was at her encouragement that he shifted his focus from writing poetry to lyrics. Over the years he has written over 100 songs, several books of poetry, as well as several books for children. His songs have been recorded by the likes of The Jackson Southernaires, The Mississippi Mass Choir, Dorothy Norwood, Rev. James Moore, The Mississippi Children Choir, The Pilgrim Jubilees, The Sensational Nightingales, the Angelic Gospel Singers and R&B legend Johnnie Taylor.

Mannery is the founder of The Mississippi Children's Choir, as well as a founding Executive Board member of The Mississippi Mass Choir, where he presently serves as Executive Director.

Mannery serves on the Board of Directors of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the American Gospel Quartet convention, and the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. Mannery is a voting member of the Grammy organization- NARAS, where he served as second Vice President of the Memphis chapter. For the past 12 years he has served on the Grammy's National Screening Committee for Gospel Music.

OwensMorris Communications, Inc. is a full-service marketing communications agency providing advertising, public relations, event marketing, promotions, branding and strategic planning services for corporate and entertainment clients.