Tommy Mottola

Last updated

Tommy Mottola
Born
Thomas Daniel Mottola

(1948-07-14) July 14, 1948 (age 76) [a]
The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • record executive
  • television producer
  • theater producer
  • film producer
  • investor
  • entrepreneur
Known forFormer chairman & CEO, Sony Music Entertainment
Title
  • Chairman, Mottola Media Group
  • Cofounder, Ntertain Studios
  • Founding Partner, Range Media Partners
Spouses
Lisa Clark
​
​
(m. 1971;div. 1990)​
​
​
(m. 1993;div. 1998)​
​
(m. 2000)​
Children4
HonoursHollywood Walk of Fame, Recording (2019)

Thomas Daniel Mottola (born July 14, 1948) [2] is an American businessman, record executive, television producer, theater producer, film producer, investor, and serial entrepreneur. Mottola is the chairman of Mottola Media Group, co-founder of Ntertain Studios, and founding partner of Range Media Partners. He served as chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, parent company of the Columbia label, for nearly 15 years. [3] Since 2000, he has been married to Mexican actress and singer Thalía.

Contents

Early life

Mottola was born in The Bronx, New York City, to a middle-class Italian-American family. [2] He graduated from Iona Grammar School in 1962 and Iona Prep in 1966. After a brief period in military school, he attended high school and later Hofstra University on Long Island. However, he dropped out of Hofstra to pursue a music career as a guitarist and singer with The Exotics, an R&B cover band. [4]

Career beginnings

Mottola entered the music industry in the mid-1960s as a recording artist for CBS Records, performing under the name "T.D. Valentine." When his recording career did not achieve commercial success, he transitioned into music management. He began working for Chappell Publishing, where he connected with various artists, and later established his own management company, Champion Entertainment Organization.

One of Mottola’s early successes was managing Daryl Hall & John Oates, helping them secure a record deal and several lucrative endorsements. His innovative promotional strategies, including the use of music videos and tours, contributed significantly to their rise in popularity.

Management successes

Mottola successfully managed the black rock group Xavion, leveraging new media formats such as music videos and promotional tours to boost their visibility. [5]

Sony/Columbia

In 1988, Mottola was hired by Sony Music Entertainment (then known as CBS Records) by Walter Yetnikoff to run its U.S. operations. In 1990, he succeeded Yetnikoff as chairman and CEO of the newly renamed Sony Music. During his tenure, Sony Music expanded its operations to over 60 countries and became the first major music company to offer digital downloads commercially. By 2000, Sony Music's annual revenue exceeded $6 billion. [6]

Mottola is widely recognized for signing and promoting artists such as Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Destiny's Child, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Shakira, and the Dixie Chicks. He also oversaw the release of digitally remastered compact discs of classic recordings by artists including Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Andy Williams, and Pink Floyd. [7] [8]

Mottola also worked closely with Michael Jackson during the production and promotion of Jackson's Dangerous album. However, their professional relationship deteriorated during the promotion of Jackson's 2001 album Invincible . Jackson publicly accused Mottola of exploitative practices and labeled him a "racist who exploited black talent." Jackson further alleged that "recording companies really, really do conspire against the artists." [9]

After Sony

Mottola served as the head of Sony Music Entertainment until January 2003. Following his departure, he established a new entertainment company encompassing recorded music, television production, theater, fashion, and branding management. The company was involved in reviving and managing the careers of artists such as Marc Anthony and Lindsay Lohan. [10] Later, Mottola expanded his roster to include artists such as Cassie Ventura and Mika. [11]

In a joint venture with Universal Music Group, Mottola revived the iconic Casablanca Records. Under this venture, he signed artists including Lindsay Lohan and Mika. [12]

In January 2013, Mottola published his memoir, Hitmaker: The Man and His Music, co-written with Cal Fussman. The book offers insights into his career, the music industry, and his relationships with artists. [13]

Mottola Media Group

After leaving Sony in 2003, Mottola founded Mottola Media Group, which has produced various projects across theater, television, and music. Among its notable productions is the musical adaptation of Chazz Palminteri's A Bronx Tale . Palminteri credited Mottola with realizing the project and bringing it to fruition, stating that Mottola "put the musical on his back" while partnering with Dodger Properties. [14] The production premiered on Broadway in December 2016 and ran until August 5, 2018. A national tour commenced in October 2018 at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. [15]

In collaboration with Dodger Properties, Mottola Media Group also produced several other musicals, including Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (2017), Jersey Boys (Off-Broadway, 2004), and Groundhog Day (2016).

In 2018, Mottola Media Group signed a multi-year first-look deal with eOne, now part of Lionsgate, to develop scripted and unscripted television projects. [16]

Mottola also created and produced documentaries for HBO, including The Latin Explosion: A New America (2015) and 15: A Quinceañera Story (2017), the latter of which earned a Directors Guild of America (DGA) nomination.

Ntertain Studios

In March 2021, Mottola co-founded Ntertain Studios with Neon16 CEO and co-founder Lex Borrero, alongside representation firm Range Media Partners. Ntertain is described as "an entertainment and media company that creates, develops, and produces content across multiple mediums, highlighting Latino stories and representing Latino talent, brands, and culture." [17]

Ntertain's notable productions include:

Los Montaner for Disney+, which was renewed for a second season. [18] Thalía's Mixtape: El Soundtrack de Mi Vida for Paramount+. La Firma (The Signing) and Neon for Netflix. In 2023, Ntertain partnered with Audio Up Media to launch original Latino podcast programming and other multimedia projects. [19]

Based in Miami, Ntertain is led by Mottola and Borrero in collaboration with Peter Micelli, CEO of Range Media Partners. [17]

Awards and recognitions

Written works

Notes

  1. ↑ Sources differ on when Mottola was actually born – but the majority state July 14, 1948. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariah Carey</span> American singer (born 1969)

Mariah Carey is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Dubbed the "Songbird Supreme" by Guinness World Records, Carey is known for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whistle register. An influential figure in music, she was ranked as the fifth greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone in 2023.

<i>Mariah Carey</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey is the debut studio album by American R&B singer Mariah Carey, released on June 12, 1990, by Columbia Records. Its music incorporates a range of contemporary genres with a mix of slow ballads and up-tempo tracks. Originally, Carey wrote four songs with Ben Margulies, which solely constituted her demo tape. After Carey was signed to Columbia, all four songs, after being altered and partially re-recorded, made the final cut for the album. Aside from Margulies, Carey worked with a range of professional writers and producers, all of whom were hired by Columbia CEO, Tommy Mottola. Mariah Carey featured production and writing from Rhett Lawrence, Ric Wake and Narada Michael Walden, all of whom were top record producers at the time. Together with Carey, they conceived the album and reconstructed her original demo tape.

<i>Butterfly</i> (Mariah Carey album) 1997 studio album by Mariah Carey

Butterfly is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released on September 10, 1997, by Columbia Records. The album contains both hip-hop and urban adult contemporary sounds, as well as some softer and more contemporary melodies. Throughout the project, Carey worked with Walter Afanasieff, with whom she had written and produced most of the material from her previous albums. She also worked with many famed hip-hop producers and rappers, such as Sean "Puffy" Combs, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott and the Trackmasters. With the latter acts producing most of the album, Butterfly deviated from the adult contemporary sound of Carey's previous albums.

<i>Daydream</i> (Mariah Carey album) 1995 studio album by Mariah Carey

Daydream is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released on September 26, 1995, by Columbia Records. The follow-up to her internationally successful studio album Music Box (1993), and the holiday album Merry Christmas (1994), Daydream differed from her previous releases by leaning increasingly towards urban music. Throughout the project, Carey collaborated with Walter Afanasieff, with whom she wrote and produced most of her previous albums. With Daydream, Carey took more control over the musical direction as well as the album's composition. Carey considered the album to be the beginning of her musical and vocal transition, a change that would become more evident in her sixth studio album Butterfly (1997). During the album's production, Carey endured many creative differences with her label and then-husband Tommy Mottola. On Daydream, Carey collaborated with Jermaine Dupri, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and R&B group Boyz II Men. With Afanasieff's assistance and the addition of a few contemporary producers, she was able to make a subtle transition into the contemporary R&B market, after previously only pursuing pop, adult contemporary and traditional R&B music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loverboy (Mariah Carey song)</span> 2001 single by Mariah Carey

"Loverboy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on June 19, 2001, by Virgin Records America as the lead single from her eighth studio album Glitter, the soundtrack to the 2001 film of the same name. Written and produced by Carey, Larry Blackmon, Thomas Jenkins and Clark Kent, "Loverboy" is built around a sample from "Candy" by the funk band Cameo, who are also featured on the track. Lyrically, the song finds Carey fantasizing about her loverboy, a man that will fulfill her physical and sexual desires. The recording was accompanied by an official remix, titled "Loverboy Remix", featuring guest artists Ludacris, Da Brat, Shawnna and Twenty II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butterfly (Mariah Carey song)</span> 1997 single by Mariah Carey

"Butterfly" is a song recorded by American singer Mariah Carey for her sixth studio album Butterfly (1997). Columbia Records released it as the second single from the album in September 1997. Written by Carey from the perspective of her husband, Columbia executive Tommy Mottola, the lyrics are about what she wished he would have told her amid their separation. Carey worked with Walter Afanasieff to produce the song and compose its music, which features keyboards, synthesizers, and programmed drums. She adopts a restrained vocal style that gradually evolves from whispers at the beginning to chest voice near its conclusion. A pop, gospel, and R&B ballad, "Butterfly" was originally conceived as the house record "Fly Away". Carey co-produced the latter with David Morales; it appears on both the album and as the single's B-side.

<i>The Remixes</i> (Mariah Carey album) 2003 remix album by Mariah Carey

The Remixes is the first remix album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released on June 25, 2003, by Columbia Records. It is primarily a collection of remixes of some of Carey's songs: disc one is compiled of club mixes, while disc two contains Carey's hip hop collaborations and remixes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Wanna Cry</span> 1991 single by Mariah Carey

"I Don't Wanna Cry" is a song recorded by American singer Mariah Carey for her first album Mariah Carey (1990). Written by Carey and producer Narada Michael Walden, Columbia Records released it as the album's fourth single in March 1991. A Latin soul–influenced pop ballad, the torch song describes the end of romance. It features drums, guitars, digital synthesizers, and a classic song structure with highly delineated section roles. Modulations occur between these segments that emphasize the singer's emotions. Varying from whispering to belting, Carey's vocal range spans more than two octaves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My All</span> 1998 single by Mariah Carey

"My All" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly (1997). It was released as the album's fifth single overall and second commercial single on April 21, 1998, by Columbia Records. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. "My All" is built around Latin guitar chord melodies, and makes subtle use of Latin percussion throughout the first chorus, before taking on a more conventional R&B-style beat. Carey was inspired to write the song and use Latin inspired melodies after a trip to Puerto Rico, where she was influenced by the culture. The song's lyrics tell of a lonely woman declaring she would give "her all" to have just one more night with her estranged lover. It is the first song Carey wrote for the Butterfly album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hero (Mariah Carey song)</span> 1993 single by Mariah Carey

"Hero" is a song by American singer-songwriter and record producer Mariah Carey released on October 18, 1993, via Columbia Records as the second single from her third studio album, Music Box (1993). The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. While writing the song, Carey did not connect to its style or sound, therefore forfeiting it to Gloria Estefan, who was intended to sing it for the soundtrack of the film of the same name (1992). However, after being convinced by Sony executive Tommy Mottola to keep it for herself, she changed some of the lyrics to more precisely fit her personality. Lyrically, the song is regarded as one of Carey's most inspirational and personal ballads, with its protagonist declaring that even though people may feel discouraged or down at times, in reality, they are "heroes" if they look inside themselves and see their own inner strength; in time, it will help them "find the way".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always Be My Baby</span> 1996 single by Mariah Carey

"Always Be My Baby" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her fifth studio album, Daydream (1995). Written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, and produced by Carey and Dupri, It was released by Columbia Records on February 20, 1996, as the album's third single in the United States and fourth single internationally. A midtempo pop and R&B ballad, "Always Be My Baby" describes the attachment the singer feels towards an estranged lover, while confidently asserting that they will eventually reunite. Described by critics as both a love song and a breakup song, its composition is characterized by piano keyboards, drums, acoustic guitars, and layered background vocals.

<i>Emotions</i> (Mariah Carey album) 1991 studio album by Mariah Carey

Emotions is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on September 17, 1991, by Columbia Records. The album deviated from the formula of Carey's 1990 self-titled debut album, as she had more creative control over the material she produced and recorded. Additionally, Emotions features influences from a range of different genres, as well as 1950s, 1960s and 1970s balladry infusion. On the record, Carey worked with a variety of producers and writers, including Walter Afanasieff, the only holdover from her previous effort. Additionally, Carey wrote and produced the album's material with Robert Clivillés and David Cole from C+C Music Factory and Carole King, with whom she wrote one song.

<i>Music Box</i> (Mariah Carey album) 1993 studio album by Mariah Carey

Music Box is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released by Columbia Records on August 31, 1993. The album comprises ballads primarily written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, with whom she had previously worked on Emotions (1991), and a few urban dance tracks. During the course of the album's development, Carey wanted to broaden her audience, choosing a more pop/R&B oriented sound. During this time frame, she experimented with different musical instruments, leading the album's sound away from her more contemporary previous two efforts.

<i>Rainbow</i> (Mariah Carey album) 1999 studio album by Mariah Carey

Rainbow is the seventh studio album by American R&B singer Mariah Carey, released on November 2, 1999 in the United States, by Columbia Records. The album followed the same pattern as Carey's previous two albums, Daydream (1995) and Butterfly (1997), in which she began her transition into the urban adult contemporary market. Rainbow contains a mix of hip hop-influenced R&B tracks, as well as a variety of ballads. Carey produced the album with David Foster and Diane Warren, who, as well as Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, replaced Walter Afanasieff, the main balladeer Carey worked with throughout the 1990s. As a result of her divorce from Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola, Carey had more control over the musical style of this album, so she collaborated with several hip-hop artists such as Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Master P and Mystikal as well as female rappers Da Brat and Missy Elliott. Other collaborations include the pop and R&B acts Joe, Usher and boyband 98 Degrees.

Mark Cory Rooney is an American record producer. He has been credited on successful releases for high-profile music industry artists including Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Thalia, Michael Jackson, and Destiny's Child, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endless Love (song)</span> 1981 single by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross

"Endless Love" is a song written by Lionel Richie and originally recorded as a duet between Richie and singer/actress Diana Ross. In this ballad, the singers declare their "endless love" for one another. It was covered by Luther Vandross with R&B-pop singer Mariah Carey, and also by country music singer Shania Twain. Billboard has named the original version as the greatest song duet of all time.

"Side Effects" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey from her eleventh studio album, E=MC² (2008). It was written by Carey, Scott Storch, Crystal Johnson and the song's featured artist, Young Jeezy. It was inspired by Carey's marriage to record executive Tommy Mottola and his controlling nature over her and her career. Carey discusses how she still deals with the side effects of the experiences that she encountered during the relationship. Critical response to the song was positive, with many critics highlighting it as an album standout, praising its candid lyrics and honesty. It charted at number 93 on the US Billboard Pop 100 chart.

"Close My Eyes" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her sixth studio album Butterfly (1997). It was co-written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. While Carey solely wrote the lyrics to the song, both she and Afanasieff composed its music. They also produced and arranged the song together. A downtempo piano led song, the lyrics in "Close My Eyes" revolve around negative experiences in her life, including indirectly talking about the relationship between her and ex-husband Tommy Mottola. In September 2012, Carey revealed that it is one of her most favorite and revealing songs that she has written in her career thus far.

"Petals" is a song by the American singer Mariah Carey from her seventh studio album, Rainbow (1999). Carey co-wrote and co-produced the song with James Wright and its other producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It became available as the album's twelfth track on November 2, 1999, when it was released by Columbia Records. "Petals" is often compared to other personal and introspective songs in Carey's catalog by music critics.

<i>Someones Ugly Daughter</i> 1995 studio album by Chick

Someone's Ugly Daughter is an alternative rock album by American band Chick. It was released on September 5, 1995, through Epic Records and 550 Music.

References

  1. ↑ "Tommy Mottola Biography: Business Leader (1948–)". Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks). Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Thomas Mottola Biography". Biography.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Sony picks NBC president to replace Tommy Mottola". USA Today . Associated Press. January 10, 2003. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  4. ↑ Thomas D. Mottola (2013). Hitmaker: The Man and His Music. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4555-1751-2.{{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  5. ↑ Cunningham, Montrose (February 11, 2016). "The '80s: Xavion's 'Burnin' Hot'". Soul Train. Archived from the original on February 12, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  6. ↑ Thompson, Simon. "Tommy Mottola And His Plans To Do For Latino-Focused TV What He's Done For Latin Music". Forbes. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  7. ↑ Eaton, Phoebe (February 21, 2003). "Tommy Mottola Faces The Music". New York Magazine. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  8. ↑ Billboard Staff (August 5, 2004). "Mottola To Build 'The Wall' On Broadway". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  9. ↑ Vineyard, Jennifer (July 8, 2002). "Michael Jackson Shocks Al Sharpton By Calling Tommy Mottola A Racist". VH1. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Lohan to testify in mother's case". ContactMusic.com. WENN. August 4, 2006. Archived from the original on June 24, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Tommy Mottola, Hitmaker, Takes Today". New York Observer. January 29, 2013. Archived from the original on June 11, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  12. ↑ Hautman, Nicholas (June 21, 2019). "Lindsay Lohan Signs Record Deal, 'Already Finished a Few Songs'". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Tommy Mottola on Relationship With Mariah Carey: 'Absolutely Wrong and Inappropriate'". Billboard . January 31, 2013. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ "A New Chapter in 'A Bronx Tale'". Wall Street Journal. August 26, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  15. ↑ "A Bronx Tale Closes on Broadway August 5". Playbill.com. August 5, 2018. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Tommy Mottola Inks First-Look Deal With eOne, Sets 'Harlem High' At Freeform". Deadline Hollywood. October 23, 2018. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  17. 1 2 Villafañe, Veronica. "Music Execs Lex Borrero, Tommy Mottola and Rep Firm Range Media Partners Launch Ntertain To Create Latino-Themed Content". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Ntertain's Los Montaner Picked Up For Season 2". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  19. ↑ Garcia, Thania (May 22, 2023). "Ntertain Studios Partners With Audio Up to Launch Original Latin Podcast Programming and More (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  20. ↑ Pollack, Marc. "NO DOUBTING THOMAS". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Robert De Niro, Sophia Loren & Tommy Mottola Honored at the NIAF 27th Anniversary". The National Italian American Foundation. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  22. ↑ Trakin, Roy (October 10, 2019). "Tommy Mottola: From the Bronx to the Boardroom to the Hollywood Walk of Fame". Variety. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Hall & Oates smdAlbums". starpulse.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Mottola and Music". Los Angeles Times . March 4, 1990. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Yacht Rock". Yacht Rock. Archived from the original on March 9, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  26. ↑ That Tommy Mottola, he's one slow motherfucker., archived from the original on January 26, 2024, retrieved January 26, 2024
  27. ↑ "Up your catalog, dog, mine's worth too much / Like Mike Jacks ATV pub, Mottola can't touch / Let this bitch breathe!". Genius. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.