We are hearing from music industry insiders that a year after being promoted to EVP of Def Jam Recordings, Shawn “Pecas” Costner will be leaving the label for a new position at Roc Nation Sports.
Founded in Spring 2013, Roc Nation Sports (a sub-division of Roc Nation in partnership with CAA Sports) is a sports management agency who’s roster includes Kevin Durant, Skylar Diggins, Robinson Cano, Geno Smith, Victor Cruz, CC Sabathia, and Hakeem Nicks. Details of Costner’s new position have not been released, but rumor has it that he will be holding an executive position at the company.
Shawn Costner began his career in music in 1994, as National Director of Street Promotion for Penalty Records. At Elektra Records the following year, he became a partner in the Dream Team Marketing and Promotions firm, one of the creators of the Mixshow Power Summit, one of the biggest music industry conventions. In 1998, he moved to Gee Street/V2 Records as Director of Rap Promotion, prior to his arrival at Arista the following year. He started at Arista in 1999, as National Director of Rap Music and Mixshow Promotion. In 2001, he was promoted to Director of Urban Promotions for the Northeast Region. In 2005 he left Arista Records to join Island Def Jam as their new as Vice President, Lifestyle Promotion. In 2013 he was promoted to Executive Vice President.
Costner said of his EVP promotion, “Def Jam is the greatest hip-hop label in the world and it is an honor and a privilege to work with such incredible artists every day. I am appreciative of Steve Bartels for his leadership and his continued faith in me as we move the Def Jam brand into the future. With our talented staff, an unprecedented roster of superstars and an exciting crop of newcomers, we are poised to win big in 2013 and beyond.”
If the word in the streets is true, I’m very interested to see what Pecas will bring to the Roc Nation Sports brand.
