Thea Joins Weiss at Universal/IDJ

OF THEA WE SING: As we’ve already hipped you, Peter Thea has been named EVP for Universal Republic and Island Def Jam, expanding its management in the A&R area, where he joins longtime colleague, Chairman Barry Weiss, who made the announcement. “We are fortunate to have one of the music industry's most talented executives working with us in this vital area for our group of labels,” stated Weiss. "Peter's diverse career as a recording engineer, music business attorney and seasoned executive, combined with his long-standing relationships in this industry, give him the unique skill set to succeed at this job. Not to mention those incriminating Polaroids he has of me with Britney Spears." Thea most recently served as EVP at Jive Records, beginning his tenure in 1999 as SVP, where he headed the A&R department during the company’s most explosive growth period. Prior to joining Jive, Thea was a co-founder of the entertainment law firm Tavel, Thea & Baker, where his clients included Cash Money Records, Godsmack and Teddy Riley. He began his career in music as a recording engineer, supplying acid to such artists as Aerosmith, the Grateful Dead, Billy Idol, Humble Pie and UFO. (11/15a)