Lauren Piece: As reported via Breaking News, Sony/Nashville VP/National Promotion Lauren Thomas ("LT") has been named VP/Promotion for Columbia as SVP/Promotion Shane Allen prepares to depart at the end of May. Thomas reports to EVP/Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges. "I am tremendously honored to be part of the Columbia Nashville team and the long-standing legacy of the imprint," says Thomas. She rose to her most recent position two years ago (Breaking News 7/29/2020) from Dir./National Promotion (CAT 2/24/16) after joining the company in 2009 as Coord. for Arista. Allen has been with the label six years (Breaking News 5/27/16), joining from Capitol/Nashville. He previously served as VP/Promotion for UMG/Nashville and had a short stint at Red Light in 2009. Allen first joined Capitol in 2007 as VP/Radio Strategies & Field Marketing. Thomas' appointment is effective immediately, and she can be reached here. Allen remains with the label through the end of May, after which he tells Country Aircheck he will "take the summer off before coming back with what's next." Reach Allen here.