Mary Ashley Johnson upped to EVP, Sales and Artist & Label Management, North America at The Orchard; Katie Studley named VP, Nashville – Music Business Worldwide

The Orchard has announced the promotion and appointment of two key executives to lead strategy for the company’s offices in New York and Nashville.

Mary Ashley Johnson has been elevated to Executive Vice President, Sales and Artist & Label Management, US and Canada.

Katie Studley has been named Vice President, Nashville. They are based in New York and Nashville, respectively. Both will report to Colleen Theis, The Orchard’s Chief Operating Officer.

Collectively, The Orchard says that both executives will provide local distribution expertise, release strategy, and regional support to the company’s roster of artist and label clients.

As SVP, North American Sales and Artist & Label Management, a post Johnson held since 2019, The Orchard says she has driven revenue and market share for the company “to record highs”, while managing teams responsible for client relationships and “high-level strategy” on key releases across the United States and Canada.

Prior to joining The Orchard, Johnson spent over 28 years as an employee under the Sony Music umbrella, including 11 years at RED Distribution which was incorporated into The Orchard in 2017.

As The Orchard Nashville’s Vice President, Studley will oversee the office’s day-to-day operations.

Her responsibilities include developing new business relationships as well as providing on-the-ground support to existing clients in the market, further expanding the company’s presence in Nashville.

Studley joins the Orchard team from a ten year tenure at Jack White’s Third Man Records where she acted as VP, Operations and Marketing Director.

In her roles, she assembled a record breaking label team, strategized the diversification of Third Man’s operations, and worked on album campaigns for artists including Margo Price, The Raconteurs, Sleep, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Paul McCartney, and more.

Previously, Studley worked in artist development and marketing at a nascent Thirty Tigers, contributing to the growth of artists like the Avett Brothers and Jason Isbell. Both Third Man Records and Thirty Tigers have distribution agreements with the Orchard.

“I look forward to continuing to deliver record-setting success in both market share growth and artist development for The Orchard and providing best in class service to our clients.”

Mary Ashley Johnson 

Johnson said: “I look forward to continuing to deliver record-setting success in both market share growth and artist development for The Orchard and providing best in class service to our clients.”

“I am equally excited to develop new relationships within Nashville’s independent creative communities as I am honored to foster growth for the Orchard‘s incredible existing roster.”

Katie Studley 

Studley said: “I am equally excited to develop new relationships within Nashville’s independent creative communities as I am honored to foster growth for the Orchard‘s incredible existing roster.

“I’ve long appreciated the Orchard‘s quality of service and the good people behind it, and I am proud to join their impressive global organization.”

“We are proud to appoint these two well-deserving women to key executive roles in the company.”

Colleen Theis, The Orchard

Theis said: “We are proud to appoint these two well-deserving women to key executive roles in the company.

“Mary Ashley’s leadership, business savvy, and proven expertise has led The Orchard to unprecedented heights in 2022. In her newly expanded role, she will spearhead even bigger opportunities for our artist and label partners.

Added Theis: “We’re excited to welcome Katie to The Orchard family. As an instrumental partner on the client side, she comes to us with a deep understanding of our business strategy. Her relationships in the Nashville market and beyond will help us further connect local artists and labels to global audiences.”Music Business Worldwide