This Week’s Disruptors 11/13/25
We’re back this week with another round of DISRUPTORS. This group of executives is making an impact here in Music City. Get to know them all! - Zak (Founder, Nashville Briefing)
Alexa Kimmel
237 Global, Artist Partnerships and Marketing Lead
Alexa Kimmel is the Artist Partnerships and Marketing Lead at 237 Global, where she develops innovative strategies to connect artists and their superfans through digital and live experiences. Originally from South Florida, Alexa graduated from Tulane University and began her career leading public relations for Pepsi, where she worked at the intersection of music and sports. Deepening her focus on building fan relationships, she went on to lead communications and strategy at music-based NFT platforms OneOf and Chill Cowboy, helping bridge the connection between artists and fans through next-generation digital tools. At 237 Global, Alexa creates unique VIP programs that allow artists to connect with their fans both on the road and through digital fan club apps—empowering artists to own their data and strengthen direct fan relationships.
Proudest accomplishment: Being part of the team that successfully announced Super Bowl Halftime Show performers four years in a row - with zero media leaks! - was a major career highlight. In my current role, working with Rolling Stone to spotlight the fan app we built for Lauren Jauregui has to be at the top.
Alex Mas Cepero
Duetti, Artist Programs Lead
Alex Mas Cepero is an entertainment industry marketer known for leading personalized and impactful campaigns for A-list and emerging artists. Alex currently leads artist marketing services at Duetti, where she supports independent artist partners through strategic marketing programs. She also manages brand marketing for the company, helping elevate Duetti’s presence across the music industry. Previously, Alex was at TIDAL where she managed TIDAL RISING – the company’s flagship program supporting emerging artists across genres. Beyond RISING, Alex was instrumental in bringing TIDAL events, album campaigns, and products to life — including major projects like Prince’s Originals, THE CARTERS’ Everything is Love, and the launch of LIVE, the DJ playlist experience first hosted by Alicia Keys and Lil Wayne. Before TIDAL, Alex got her start on Roc Nation’s marketing team, working across major label campaigns. A first-generation Cuban American, Alex loves spending time with her husband and son, reading, exploring fashion trends, and going to Pilates.
Proudest accomplishment: Launching The Carters' Everything is Love album. I ran point on operations and marketing to not only keep it a surprise drop but also make sure it went live flawlessly and with a robust marketing campaign attached. Needless to say, it was a crazy 72 hours.
Amy Dworsky
Warner Music Group, Senior Manager, Global Sync - Branding & Advertising
Amy Dworsky is shaking up the world of sync from the inside out. As Senior Manager of Global Sync for Branding and Advertising at Warner Music Group, she bridges music, culture, and commerce — connecting artists to campaigns that resonate worldwide. Over the past six years, Amy has helped redefine what “global sync” means, working hand-in-hand with WMG’s 55 international offices to craft creative and strategic placements for some of the world’s biggest brands. From launching new initiatives to streamlining cross-market collaborations, she’s passionate about making the licensing process as dynamic and borderless as the music itself.
Proudest accomplishment: Clearing Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" for Nike's 2025 Super Bowl commercial, which was dubbed the best ad of the year by AdWeek. It also marked the recording's first-ever US commercial placement, Nike's triumphant return to the Super Bowl after nearly three decades, and is the highest fee for a master ad sync at WMG.
Dawson Simmons
Neon Coast, Management Coordinator
Dawson Simmons is an emerging music industry professional with a background in brand partnerships, artist management, and music marketing. The Georgia native currently serves as Management Coordinator at Neon Coast, supporting ACM Awards 2024 New Duo/Group of the Year nominee, Restless Road, and Nashville-based indie alt-pop band Nightly. Previously, Dawson was Manager of Talent Projects & Music Marketing at Results Global Agency (formerly 615 Leverage + Strategy), the agency of record for Dolly Parton. There, he led marketing initiatives and talent projects, contributed to brand licensing strategies, and served as a coordinating producer on several of Parton's New York Times bestselling books. He was also instrumental in the marketing of her landmark rock album, Rockstar, which debuted at #1 on six Billboard charts—her biggest release in a seven-decade career. His brand collaborations include work with Busch Light, HEYDUDE, Sonos, Stetson, and MAPCO, among others.
Proudest accomplishment: I was fortunate enough to work on some incredible projects with Dolly Parton, including her historic ROCKSTAR album. Seeing her insane work ethic and dedication to her fans firsthand taught me so much about the music business and what it really takes to hustle.
Elizabeth Lombardi
CAA, Executive, Business Affairs, Music Touring
Elizabeth Lombardi is a Business Affairs Executive in the Music Touring department at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Lombardi specializes in negotiating tour deals, show agreements, mutual terms with buyers and festivals, as well as brand and endorsement deals for CAA’s roster of artists. Prior to joining CAA in February 2023, Lombardi began her entertainment law career in-house at BMG/Broken Bow Music Group and was an associate at the boutique entertainment law firm, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC. Lombardi received her Juris Doctor from Belmont University’s College of Law and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Music Business from Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. She is currently the Chair of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Troubadour Society and is an adjunct professor at Belmont University.
Proudest accomplishment: As an attorney, some of my proudest moments come from seeing the deals I’ve worked on come to life—whether it’s an artist releasing an album from a record deal I negotiated, attending a live show from a tour I did the deal for, or a brand partnership agreement culminating in a Super Bowl commercial. It’s incredibly rewarding to know I played even a small part in bringing those moments to fruition.
Zach Hartley
UTA, Agent
Zach Hartley is a music agent at leading global talent, entertainment and sports company United Talent Agency. During his tenure at UTA, Hartley has negotiated deals on behalf of some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, including Grand Funk Railroad, Phillip Phillips, Kat Luna, Spin Doctors, Drew Baldridge, Gareth, Hayden Blount and more. In 2021, Hartley was named Ball State University’s Graduate of the Last Decade, recognizing professional achievement, community involvement and philanthropic efforts. Previously, in 2019, he was voted Young Professional of the Year by the International Entertainment Buyer Association alongside the world’s top agents, promoters and venue executives. Prior to joining UTA, Hartley was an agent at Paradigm Talent Agency where he rose through the ranks after starting in 2014 as an assistant. Prior to Paradigm, Hartley worked in the TV department of Gray Talent Group in Chicago.
Proudest accomplishment: Watching Drew Baldridge go from playing backyards to back-to-back top 10 singles (one #1) and touring on 4 continents.