Madeline Nelson is an Emmy-nominated producer, Grammy Award-winning artist manager, and founder and managing partner of the entertainment agency Purple Cow Innovation, formerly known as Heads Music. Recently, she made the strategic decision to step down as Head of Independent Label Relations at Amazon Music to dedicate her full attention to expanding her agency’s impact on the music industry. Under Madeline’s leadership, Purple Cow Innovation is staffed entirely by women, embodying her dedication to amplifying women’s voices within the music industry. Her passion for mentorship is evident through her work with the Next Gen Femme program under Femme It Forward. She was also a featured keynote speaker at the American Association of Independent Music’s annual Indie Week event. With over 30 years of experience, Madeline has been a driving force in shaping music and entertainment culture.

Her career highlights include managing the Grammy-winning R&B group Blackstreet in the 1990s, contributing to A&R efforts with Michael Jackson, serving as SVP of Artist and Label Relations at Sony Music, and managing Wyclef Jean alongside her role at Amazon Music. Beyond her agency work, Madeline contributed to the “Wyclef and TIAA: Music for a New Legacy” campaign, which promotes financial literacy among youth, particularly in the African American community. The campaign featured the Wyclef track “Paper Right” with Pusha T, Lola Brooke, Capella Grey, and Flau’jae, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit First Generation Investors. In 2024, Madeline was named the Entertainment Lions for Music President for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, a global standard for creative excellence held annually in Cannes, France.