Tree Paine
Tree Paine is an American public relations executive. She is best known as the publicist of American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, a position she has held since 2014.[1]
Career
Paine began her career as an intern at British record label Mute Records in the Sales & Marketing department, after which she worked as a National Marketing Manager at World Domination Recordings and as an executive assistant position in the A&R department at Maverick Records, the record label founded by Madonna. In 1995, Paine joined Interscope Records as a West Coast Marketing & Artist Development representative, working with artists such as No Doubt, The Wallflowers, Snoop Dogg, Nine Inch Nails, and Marilyn Manson.[2][3]
Paine then left Interscope to launch her own street marketing company, retaining Bonnie Raitt as her first client. Over the years, her client roster grew to include record labels such as Warner Records, Capitol Records, London Recordings, and 143 Records. In 1999, Paine merged her company with Immortal Records and created IR Street Marketing. Paine then took a position at the William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills, where she met Gayle Holcomb, then the Vice Chairman of the Academy of Country Music (ACM), leading to Paine being hired by the ACM in 2002 to oversee media, radio, and marketing at the academy.[3]
In 2007, Paine joined Warner Music Nashville as Vice President for Publicity. In 2013, she was promoted to Senior Vice President, Publicity, WMN, where she oversaw all publicity for Warner Music Group’s country and Christian divisions.[3]
In 2014, Paine announced that she was leaving Warner Music to start her own public relations firm, Premium PR. Her first client was Taylor Swift.[4] Paine is known for guiding Swift through many high-profile moments, Swift's sexual assault trial against former radio host David Mueller, and the dispute over Swift's masters.[5][6][7]
In 2020, Paine was featured in Swift's autobiographical Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, directed by Lana Wilson. The Cut opined that Paine has built a reputation as a "quiet but ferocious PR pitbull".[8]
Paine is noted for her popularity within Swift's fanbase, the Swifties, who often praise her for her skills in public relations and her close relationship with Swift.[9]
Personal life
Tree is married to Lance Paine. The couple have a daughter.[7]
References
- ^ "Taylor Swift hires new publicist amid fresh start". New York Post. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- ^ Madden, Emma (March 16, 2023). "From the boyfriend to the business brain: who's who in Taylor Swift's inner circle". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Warner Music Nashville Promotes Tree Paine To Senior Vice President, Publicity". Warner Music Group. April 24, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
- ^ "Taylor Swift hires new publicist". Nashville Post. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- ^ "Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris Silence Break-Up Rumors". Time. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- ^ "All Your Questions About This Taylor Swift-Scooter Braun Mess, Answered". W Magazine. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Bicks, Emily (February 1, 2020). "Who Is Tree Paine? Meet Taylor Swift's Longtime Publicist". Heavy.com. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ^ Singh-Kurtz, Sangeeta. "The Infamous Publicist Behind the Taylor Swift Machine". New York Magazine. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- ^ Milzoff, Rebecca; Brown, Eric Renner; Denis, Kyle (2023-08-24). "Taylor Swift and Beyoncé Are So Big, Even Their Publicists Have Fans". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-08-24.