Bandier Program: Executive Q and A—Jacqueline Saturn ’90 (President, Virgin Music)

Please respect that the discussions in this lecture series are off-the-record, with a no social media policy.

Jacqueline Saturn is the president of Virgin Music, the independent distribution and label services arm of Capitol Music Group (CMG), a position she’s held since 2018 after serving as Virgin’s (formerly known as Caroline) general manager since 2015. Virgin Music Label & Artist Services is a network of regional hubs strategically positioned in the world’s leading music markets that delivers premium artist and label services to the industry’s most dynamic entrepreneurs and independent talent. Founded on the spirit and ethos of the Virgin brand, long synonymous with disruptive innovation and musical creativity, Virgin Music Label & Artists Services provides artists and labels with global and regional solutions and resources from fully staffed operations across major music markets, including the fast-growing Latin music territories, with more to come.

Saturn leads Virgin Music’s 50-person U.S. team and oversees all aspects of its business, including artist and label signings and partnerships, as well as strategic planning and alliances with Virgin Music International’s 12 offices outside the U.S. Saturn directs a full range of services for its portfolio of artist and label partners and their releases, including marketing, promotion, commercial services, branding, synch and licensing, lifestyle marketing, business affairs and finance, as well as develops and broadens myriad revenue streams for its partners. Saturn also continues to head CMG’s Harvest Records, having signed and developed a host of successful emerging artists at that label since taking the helm there in 2013.

Under Saturn’s leadership, Virgin Music (FKA Caroline) has attained numerous recent achievements including No.1 Billboard 200 debuts for Lil Baby, Trippie Redd, NF and K-Pop debut act SuperM. Dozens of gold and/or platinum certifications for SHAED, Clairo, Zoe Wees, Iann Dior, Internet Money, Masego, Surfaces, Judah & The Lion and more. The Virgin Music team is on a mission to break developing acts like Anson Seabra, Chucky73, ACRAZE, REMA, Poorstacy, Rylo Rodriguez, Lakeyah, Binki, Phem and Forrest Nolan, among others.

Simultaneously, Saturn supports a host of charitable organizations, including UJS and FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) and has run the New York Marathon on the American Cancer Society’s “Determination” team. She distinguishes herself as a sought-after speaker and has taken the stage at various conventions including Music Biz Nashville, SXSW, iHeartRadio, and CMG company retreats in addition to speaking annually to the Bandier Program at the S.I. Newhouse School at her alma mater, Syracuse University. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband Yigal Dakar, their children Alanah and Leora and their chihuahua, Sonny.