Terry Hemmings, President and CEO of Provident Music Group, announced the launch of the music group’s publishing division Essential Music and the hire of Holly Zabka as its Senior Director of Publishing. Zabka will report to Hemmings and will direct the new company’s operations and initiatives.

“Holly brings years of experience and many strong relationships into our new publishing venture. I believe she is the right person to start us on a successful journey into music publishing and bring value and opportunity to our writers and artists,” shares Hemmings.

Zabka served for more than eight years as a Creative Director of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing. While there, she managed the creative development of a team of over 60 staff and artist writers, worked with writers in song development and pitched songs into multiple markets and genres from a catalog of over 70,000 songs. Zabka earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Southwest Missouri State University and began her career in the music industry as a Director of Membership at the Gospel Music Association.

About Provident Music Group:
Provident Music Group, a division of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, is one of the world’s leading Christian entertainment companies. Provident Music Group operates under the umbrella of Sony BMG Nashville and comprises Provident Label Group, Provident Films (designed to produce and distribute faith-based films), Essential Music and Provident-Integrity Distribution.

About Provident Label Group:
Provident Label Group is home to Reunion Records, Essential Records, Beach Street Records and Flicker Records. Provident Label Group’s acclaimed roster includes artists garnering accolades such as RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications and GRAMMY and Dove nominations or trophies: Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, Red, Leeland, Brandon Heath and Krystal Meyers.

About SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT:
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.