UNITED KINGDOM (CelebrityAccess) – Alison Donald, Kobalt’s Head of Global Creative, has announced she will be leaving the company at the end of the month to “pursue other endeavors.”
According to Kobalt, Donald has been a “key driver of culture” during her seven-year tenure, signing talents such as Sam Fender, Cigarettes After Sex, Koffee, Gabriels, Jungle, Khruangbin, Rage Against the Machine, The Last Dinner Party, and Tom Odell.
Donald joined Kobalt in 2017, overseeing A&R and creative in the UK and Europe for both Kobalt Music Publishing and AWAL’s UK and Europe creative teams. Just over a year ago, she was promoted to Head of Global Creative, splitting her time between London and Los Angeles.
Before Kobalt, Donald was Co-President at Columbia Records UK, where she signed and worked closely with artists like George Ezra, Tom Odell, Rag’N’Bone Man, Declan McKenna, and The Civil Wars. Prior to Columbia, she was MD at Chrysalis Music Publishing (2000-2010), signing and overseeing projects by Damon Albarn, Danger Mouse, The Gossip, Fleet Foxes, Laura Marling, Thom Yorke, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. She also served as Head of A&R at Warner/Chappell Music (1996-2000), where she signed The Strokes, Gomez, and Gregg Alexander.
Donald began her career at Arista Records over three decades ago and spent seven years at Capitol/EMI Records.
Reflecting on her time at Kobalt, Donald said, “Working with the team at Kobalt and all of the incredible artists and writers on the roster has been very rewarding. I am extremely proud of what we’ve all achieved. I’m sad to be leaving both my friends at Kobalt and our wonderful roster, but I am looking forward to the next chapter.”
Kobalt President Jeannette Perez praised Donald’s contributions, saying, “Alison’s fervor for creativity and music have always been felt throughout the entire organization, inspiring our teams every day. Her palpable energy and enthusiasm will be missed by everyone at Kobalt. We wish her all of the best as she embarks on her next journey.”
Donald’s promotion to Head of Global Creative in March 2023 came a few months after Kobalt’s former Chief Creative Officer, Sas Metcalfe, announced her departure. British exec Sas Metcalfe had stepped into the CCO role in 2017.
