Nashvillians Make Billboard’s “Power Players” List

Billboard has released its annual “Power Players: Forty Under Forty list of young music executives who are re-shaping the music industry.

Nashvillians making the list include Arturo Buenahora Jr., GM Creative of ole publishing; Laura Hutfless, Music Sponsorship Agent of Creative Artists Agency; and John Zarling, VP of Promotion and Media Strategy of Big Machine Label Group.

Buenahora is credited with signing Taylor Swift to her first publishing deal, pairing Dierks Bentley with Brett Beavers and Jay Joyce with Eric Church, and developing the career of Miranda Lambert. Zarling has created promotional campaigns such as Jack Ingram’s Guinness World Record attempt for most interviews in a day, and Martina McBride’s cross-country train ride for her Eleven album release in fall 2011. Hutfless is responsible for securing brand partnerships such as Ram Trucks with Zac Brown Band, Hallmark with Demi Lovato, and the “Here’s Hope” campaign for ConAgra foods with Jewel, Jay Sean, and Owl City.

Also making the list are Spotify’s Daniel Ek, Vevo’s Rio Caraeff, Producer/Songwriter Dr. Luke, and Ryan Seacrest. See the full list here.