EMPIRE Adds Two To Team [Exclusive]

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Bri Small and Zak Waters.

EMPIRE has added Bri Small and Zak Waters to its team.

Small joins as Vice President Digital, where she is responsible for the online presence and engagement for label artists across the Nashville roster. She began her career at NBC Entertainment in Los Angeles before joining Warner Music Nashville, building a career in digital marketing. Small helped launch Warner Music Group’s first-ever HBCU Immersion Program.

“I’ve been a fan of Bri’s work for a long time, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to EMPIRE Nashville,” says Jen Way, Executive Vice President, Nashville. “She brings such a special energy and creativity to everything she does, and I know that will elevate both our team and our artists. Her vision and leadership in digital marketing, along with her proven ability to build meaningful connections, make her the perfect person to guide our digital strategy as we continue to expand our impact in Nashville.

Waters joins as Director of A&R. He is a songwriter, producer, and artist with nearly two decades of experience across pop, country, K-pop, EDM, and R&B music with millions of streams on his work to date. He has collaborated with GRAMMY-winning creators, co-written and produced multiple Gold and Platinum releases, and toured internationally as both a front-man and musical director.

“Zak is a dynamic creative who can move effortlessly between genres and speak a dozen musical languages,” adds Way. “Artists trust him because he speaks their language, no matter the genre. His versatility and instinct for storytelling represent exactly where EMPIRE Nashville is headed—artist-first, genre-fluid, and creatively fearless. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the team and know he will elevate both our roster and our creative output in Nashville.”

Small and Waters will both be based in Nashville.

Lauryn Sink
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