EMPIRE Appoints New Senior Vice Presidents in New York
The music company adds Leesa Brunson-Boland and Bina Fronda to its leadership team.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Music — General
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EMPIRE has appointed Leesa Brunson-Boland and Bina Fronda as Senior Vice Presidents based in the firm's New York office. These new leadership roles are intended to bolster the company's A&R operations and marketing efforts.
Why it matters
The strategic hires are part of the ongoing growth for EMPIRE, which continues to expand its reach in the music industry. These appointments strengthen the company's internal capabilities across both its creative and promotional divisions.
Brunson-Boland brings 20 years of music industry experience to her new role, while Fronda joins following her tenure as Vice President of Marketing at Ultra Records. This expansion follows a publishing hire made by the company three weeks ago.
The players
Leesa Brunson-Boland
She is the new Senior Vice President of A&R Operations at EMPIRE and previously served as Head of A&R Operations at 300 Entertainment.
Bina Fronda
She serves as the new Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMPIRE and previously held the position of Vice President of Marketing at Ultra Records.
EMPIRE
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, this music company operates as a global distributor and label.
Tina Davis
She joined EMPIRE in 2018 and has a background that includes ten years leading A&R at Def Jam.
The details
Brunson-Boland will oversee A&R Operations to support A&R teams, while Fronda will focus her marketing efforts on supporting dance and pop artists. The move aligns with the San Francisco-based company's efforts to scale its operations globally.
Timeline
2010: EMPIRE was founded.
2018: Tina Davis joined EMPIRE.
October 2024: EMPIRE signed G-Dragon.
July 2025: EMPIRE launched in the Nordic region.
October 27, 2026: The appointments were announced.
Industry Dynamics
These executive hires follow the pattern of expansion set by the company's July 2025 launch in the Nordic region. The move highlights the ongoing consolidation of talent as independent-leaning labels compete for market share against major record labels.
These management changes could influence the future marketing and A&R trajectory for EMPIRE's roster of dance and pop artists. Listeners may see shifts in how new music from these artists is promoted and distributed in the coming months.
The takeaway
The appointment of experienced industry veterans signals an aggressive effort by independent music firms to institutionalize their operations for continued growth. Readers should watch for how these leadership changes influence the company's signing strategy and promotional reach.
Further reading
For more on the current industry landscape, visit Music — General.
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