The international music company Billboard announced on Tuesday (January 20) that Leila Cobo and Jason Lipshutz have been elevated to co-chief content officers.
Together, they will oversee major franchises including Women in Music, Latin Music Week, The Stage at SXSW, and more, as well as the editorial content and journalistic operations of Billboard.
Jay Penske, the chairman and CEO of Penske Media Corporation, the parent company of Billboard, remarked, “I am extremely proud to recognize two incredibly deserving talents within the organization.” One of the most respected voices and influential figures in contemporary Latin American music is Leila. By promoting talent and creating internationally acclaimed franchises that honor it, she has raised the genre’s profile to a level never seen before. In a similar vein, Jason is one of the most reputable voices in contemporary pop music and infuses his work with enthusiasm and originality. I’m excited to see Leila and Jason lead Billboard’s editorial content and shape it going forward.
Both are brand veterans; Lipshutz was the executive director of music at Billboard, and Cobo was the chief content officer of Billboard Latin. Lipshutz will continue to supervise pop music while expanding his responsibilities to include rock, hip-hop, and dance, while Cobo will continue to handle Latin music coverage on Billboard while expanding her purview to include country music.
With immediate effect, Cobo and Lipshutz will report to Mike Van, CEO of Billboard.
Van stated, “We are thrilled to recognize such extraordinary leaders within our organization.” “Leila’s dedication to perfection, close relationships, and love of music have allowed her to create unprecedented things over the years. It’s also amazing to see how Jason has developed into a devoted and well-respected leader of Billboard throughout the years. Leila and Jason work together to position Billboard’s world-class editorial content and events for a bold and exciting future by bringing unparalleled knowledge, visionary excitement, and business savvy to these responsibilities.
As the first American writer to cover Latin music in-depth on a daily basis, Cobo is regarded as one of the leading authority on the genre. Cobo is the driving force behind Billboard Latin Music Week, the biggest event in the Latin music industry, and has revolutionized the way Latin music is covered in the United States since joining Billboard. Leila, a Fulbright scholar who was born and reared in Colombia, holds master’s degrees in communications from the Annenberg School at USC and classical piano performance from Manhattan School of Music.
Cobo remarked, “It’s an honor to direct the content of Billboard, the most reputable, forward-thinking music media brand in the world.” Additionally, it is an honor to do it with Jason, who is a veritable musical encyclopedia. I am grateful to Mike Van and Jay Penske for providing me with this chance and for their unshakable faith in my abilities. I’m excited to keep elevating a variety of voices and genres, broaden Billboard’s narrative, and bring attention to the world of music.
For almost ten years, Lipshutz has been a mainstay of contemporary music journalism, covering well-known performers like Taylor Swift, U2, and Lorde while directing Billboard’s editorial approach to pop and rock music. In 2024, his book It Starts With One: The Legend and Legacy of Linkin Park was released.
“I’m grateful to PMC leadership for this opportunity and thrilled to lead an incredible team with my friend and colleague Leila Cobo,” Lipshutz stated. “I know the core of this brand, recognize the talent on our staff, and see the potential for what we can achieve in the coming years, having worked at every level of the Billboard editorial team.”
