UnitedMasters Adds Four Executives as Independent-Artist Competition Expands

UnitedMasters is expanding the leadership structure behind its independent-artist business.

The company announced four appointments Monday: Todd L. Perry II as vice president and head of artist and label marketing; Luca Zanello as head of brand and sync; Goldie Harris as head of commerce; and Jason Peerless as vice president of artist and label operations.

Each role covers a different part of the modern artist-services pitch. Perry will oversee marketing for artists and labels after holding a comparable position at Warner Records. Zanello, whose experience includes The Orchard and Roc Nation, will lead brand and synchronization opportunities across advertising, film, television and gaming.

Harris will oversee global commerce and the company’s direct-to-fan ecosystem. Peerless arrives after 12 years at Universal Music Group, including a decade at Def Jam Recordings, and will lead operational strategy across artist and label services.

The hires matter because independent distribution is no longer just about placing music on streaming platforms. Artists increasingly expect marketing strategy, audience data, brand partnerships, licensing opportunities, commerce tools and reliable back-end operations while retaining greater ownership and control.

UnitedMasters is strengthening those departments after a year in which its roster produced visible chart and certification results. Music Business Worldwide reported that Brent Faiyaz’s Icon became the company’s highest-charting album debut, while BigXthaPlug and FloyyMenor also reached certification and streaming milestones.

The broader business question is whether independent-service companies can scale without recreating the same rigid structure artists sought to leave behind. These four appointments show where UnitedMasters believes the competition will be decided: not only in distribution, but in the quality of the infrastructure surrounding a release.