Island Records Promotes Jackie Winkler to Senior VP/ Head of A&R

Just days after Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” hit No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart, Island Records has promoted Jackie Winkler — who signed Carpenter to the label — senior vice president/ head of A&R, the company announced on Thursday. Based in Los Angeles, Winkler will report directly to Imran Majid and Justin Eshak, Co-CEOs of Island Records. 

According to the announcement, in her new role, Winkler will run the A&R department, spearheading signing and creative development for the label’s roster. She signed Sabrina Carpenter in 2020 and has worked closely with the singer on her new album, Short n’ Sweet, which has reached No. 1 in fifteen countries, including the U.S. and U.K. In addition to Carpenter, Winkler works closely with Demi Lovato, Keshi, and Lauren Spencer Smith. 

In a joint statement, Majid and Eshak said, “Jackie is an exceptional leader and A&R executive. Her collaborative spirit, creative instincts, and steadfast nature make her the ideal person to run our A&R Department. We’re thrilled she’ll join us in developing the next generation of iconic artists for Island Records.”

Winkler added, “I am deeply grateful to Imran and Justin for their unwavering belief and trust as I step into this new role. Their guidance has not only fueled my personal career growth but has been the cornerstone of our department’s success. I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead such an exceptionally talented, dynamic, and fiercely competitive team as we push the boundaries of what we can achieve together.”

Winkler launched her career at Warner Records, beginning as an intern and advancing to A&R manager in 2011. In that role, she discovered and signed Academy Award-nominated and Grammy-winning singer Andra Day. She joined Island in 2015 as an A&R Director and was promoted to VP in 2022.