In our first roundup of 2025, we present eight stars of tomorrow from various parts of the biz whose dedication and effort make their superiors look good.
This week's entrants will also find their faces in our Q1 New & Developing Artists special. And if they don't care about that (because why should they?), we're told the pages make for semi-decent rolling trays.
Jackie Wongso
VP, Marketing, Atlantic Records
Wongso helped spark one of TikTok’s earliest viral trends with Lisa Rinna and the Housewives doing the “microwave challenge” for Joji’s platinum hit “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK.” She also helped guide BTS to a Top 200 #1 with Proof while she was their marketing lead and championed inclusivity in K-pop auditions during her time at Geffen, inspiring the formation of KATSEYE. Now at Atlantic, she’s driving ROSÉ’s debut album rosie and the global rise of “APT.” w/Bruno Mars, plus FKA twigs’ EUSEXUA. Wongso makes her own perfume. We could use some.
William Gruger
Global Music Programs & Partnerships, TikTok
Gruger started his career on the pulse of viral trends, entertaining a pre-fame Shawn Mendes and covering phenomena like “Gangnam Style” and the “Harlem Shake.” At TikTok, he now leads global music programs focused on amplifying new music and tours. He also launched the “Year on TikTok” global music campaign, championing artists like Tommy Richman, Tinashe and FloyyMenor while showcasing the platform’s influence in music. Gruger went viral for tweeting about Pharrell’s iconic hat at the 2014 Grammys, unintentionally amplifying its fame. We’re known for talking out of our hat.
Elisabeth Garcés
Director of Audience Growth, Universal Music Latino
After Ela Taubert’s Best New Artist Latin Grammy win, Garcés saw her remix of “Como Pasó” with Joe Jonas spark a 400% follower surge and 300% streaming boost in 24 hours. She also helped Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito become the most-streamed album by a Latina artist on release day, adding 20m monthly listeners, and drove Feid’s SORRY 4 THAT MUCH to open at #4 on Spotify’s Global Debut chart. Now she’s expanding Taubert’s reach, building Joaquina’s fan base and shaping Andry Kiddos into a global star. Garcés loves the ocean. We get seasick at the beach.
Meghann Wright
Director of Marketing and Release Strategy, Primary Wave
Wright helped Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad launch their Jazz Is Dead label and been personally thanked by Olivia Newton-John, to name but two highlights. She’s been pivotal in marketing Grammy-nominated albums, gold-certified singles and strategic releases for the Sun Label Group portfolio. Recent projects include Melissa Etheridge’s recent live album from Topeka Correctional and a new EP from ZZ Ward, plus chart-topping records from Ruthie Foster, Ian Hunter and Amy Helm. In 2015, this metal-head performed on the Warped Tour. We’ve been called warped but aren’t suitable for travel.
Cameron Kooklanfar
A&R Manager, Prescription Songs & Amigo Records
Kooklanfar watched as a songwriting camp demo he’d curated with Insomniac evolved into Drake & Gordo’s global hit “Sideways.” At Prescription, he’s championing creatives like Hayley May (Tiësto, Louis the Child), Dominique Sanders, Bantu (BLOND:ISH, Sparrow & Barbossa, Drake & Gordo) and Shae Jacobs (Megan Thee Stallion and RM’s “Neva Play”). He’s also thrilled to work with producer Seb 1Mind, who topped the Nigerian charts for weeks with Victony and Asake’s “Stubborn.” Kooklanfar aspired to be an American history professor before the biz. We failed English 101.
Sydney Wiklund
Creator Partnerships Manager, Genies
While managing NGHTMRE & SLANDER, Wiklund watched them headline Ultra with guests Shaquille O’Neal and Lil Jon before partying at Shaq’s pop-up carnival—complete with a “Shots” toast from Lil Jon. Now at Genies, she’s working on Q1 2025 partnerships to create AI-powered “Smart Avatars” for global talent. Collaborations with Quavo, Tinashe, J Balvin and Paris Hilton (for Decentraland’s first metaverse music festival) have helped pave the way for advanced avatar content, social gaming and UGC. Wiklund co-produces a music-and-wellness fest. We could use a lifeline.
Gerard Duarte
Director, Business & Legal Affairs, Warner Music Latina
Duarte has shared backstage moments with Mau y Ricky, worked on Justin Quiles’ Miami Dolphins campaign and soaked in awards-show performances by José Feliciano and Chayanne. Recently, he helped launch “The Academy,” a Miami Heat partnership featuring Quiles, Dimelo Flow and Sech that merges music and sports. On the artist side, he’s also been involved with the signings of Tokischa, Luar La L and De La Rose, with more big projects on the horizon. In his spare time, Duarte mentors first-gen college students. We could use some advice on repairing that college bong.
Indigo Charles
VP, Culture & Influence, More Than Words (MTW)
Among other career highlights, Charles watched Shark Week with Beyoncé, gave André 3000 a pep talk before his Coachella performance, dressed Denzel Washington for the Oscars, went on tour with Doja Cat, plus more. At MTW, she’s driving PATRÓN Tequila’s music strategy, partnering with artists like Becky G, Missy Elliott, Troye Sivan, Shaboozey and Bailey Zimmerman, among others, while launching the Agave Familia talent collective. In her early 20s, she released music as Indigo Charlie, with features in People and Hot 97. She's conveniently avoided us, until now.
