After steering media marketing strategies for four years, Cindy Finke has departed her role as Director of Media Marketing at MCA, the label group formerly known as UMG/Nashville, effective October 6, 2025.
No immediate successor has been announced for the position, which oversees media strategy for the label’s extensive artist roster during a period of significant industry transformation.
Finke joined MCA in 2021 after a career spanning multiple facets of media and entertainment. Her departure comes amid ongoing shifts in music industry power dynamics and label consolidation, though no specific reason was provided for her exit.
After four years in the Nashville music scene, Finke exits MCA amid industry consolidation and evolving power dynamics.
Industry insiders note that executive turnover has accelerated across Nashville’s music business landscape in recent years. The current CMA Voters Guide provides relevant context for understanding these industry shifts.
Prior to her tenure at MCA, Finke built a diverse résumé that included serving as VP of Program Publicity & Communications at CMT and Director of Marketing & Events at Nashville Lifestyles magazine.
She also managed communications at Cheekwood, Nashville’s premier art and garden institution, and operated Poppy & Nash Photography from 2018 to 2021.
Her early career included roles at Showtime Networks, E! Entertainment Television, and as a reporter for WHAG-TV.
During her time at MCA, Finke leveraged her cross-industry experience to position the label’s artists in an increasingly competitive media environment.
She integrated traditional publicity approaches with digital strategies during a period when streaming platforms revolutionized music consumption patterns.
A University of California San Diego graduate with a degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies (1989-1993), Finke brought over two decades of experience in campaign strategy and brand positioning to her role at MCA.
Industry trade publications have noted her departure, with colleagues watching closely for her next career move.
The absence of an immediate replacement suggests a potential reorganization within MCA’s marketing structure, reflecting the label’s adaptation to changing industry demands.
Media marketing leadership remains critical as labels navigate the evolving digital landscape that continues to reshape how music reaches audiences.
Under Finke’s leadership, MCA artists explored sync deals and licensing opportunities as additional revenue streams beyond traditional album sales.
Finke’s lengthy seventeen-year stint at Viacom before joining the music industry demonstrates her adaptability across entertainment sectors.
Her expertise in helping artists navigate playlist pitching opportunities across streaming platforms contributed significantly to MCA’s digital presence in recent years.
