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Ole Obermann, a top executive at Apple and a 1993 graduate of Colgate University, will deliver the commencement address at Colgate University on Sunday, May 17. Obermann, who leads Apple Music's global platform, has been a prominent figure in the music industry for over three decades, having held leadership positions at ByteDance, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music.
Known for his ability to anticipate industry trends, Obermann has played a key role in shaping the digital music landscape. At ByteDance, he established foundational relationships with artists and the music industry, cementing TikTok's role as a leading platform for music discovery. His work at Warner Music Group included spearheading digital transformation and securing a licensing agreement with Facebook. At Sony Music, he was instrumental in forming a partnership with Spotify.
Obermann will receive an honorary doctorate from Colgate, alongside journalist Ann Curry, MIT professor Kate Brown, former Morgan Stanley managing director Peter Kellner, chef María Cristina Martínez Guerrero, and former Berea College President Lyle Roelofs. Brown's research focuses on the intersection of history, politics, and technology in large-scale disasters, while Curry is renowned for her journalism in conflict zones and natural disasters.
The commencement ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. on May 17 at the Colgate University campus. For more information, visit the Colgate University website.