Tommy Mottola facts for kids

Thomas Daniel Mottola (born July 14, 1948) is an American businessman who has worked in many parts of the entertainment world. He is known for being a record executive, television producer, and film producer. Tommy Mottola was the chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment for almost 15 years. This company owns the famous Columbia label. Today, he leads Mottola Media Group and is a co-founder of Ntertain Studios. Since 2000, he has been married to the Mexican actress and singer Thalía.

Early Life and Music Start

Tommy Mottola was born in the Bronx, New York City. He grew up in an Italian-American family. After finishing high school, he briefly went to Hofstra University. However, he decided to leave college to follow his dream of a music career. He started as a guitarist and singer in an R&B band called The Exotics.

From Performer to Manager

In the mid-1960s, Mottola tried being a recording artist himself for CBS Records, using the name "T.D. Valentine." When his own singing career did not become a big hit, he changed his focus to managing other artists. He began working for Chappell Publishing, where he met many musicians. Later, he started his own management company, Champion Entertainment Organization.

One of his first big successes was managing the music duo Daryl Hall & John Oates. He helped them get a record deal and many good endorsement deals. He used new ideas like music videos and tours to help them become very popular.

Leading Sony Music

In 1988, Tommy Mottola joined Sony Music Entertainment, which was then called CBS Records. He was hired to run their operations in the United States. By 1990, he became the chairman and CEO of the company, which was renamed Sony Music. During his time there, Sony Music grew to operate in over 60 countries. It was also the first major music company to offer digital music downloads. By the year 2000, Sony Music was earning more than $6 billion each year.

Mottola is well-known for signing and helping many famous artists. These include Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Destiny's Child, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and the Dixie Chicks. He also helped release updated digital versions of classic songs by artists like Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, and Pink Floyd.

Working with Michael Jackson

Tommy Mottola also worked closely with Michael Jackson on his Dangerous album. However, their working relationship became difficult later on. This happened during the promotion of Jackson's 2001 album Invincible. Michael Jackson publicly shared his disagreements with Mottola about how the music industry worked.

After Sony Music

Tommy Mottola left his role as head of Sony Music Entertainment in January 2003. After leaving, he started a new entertainment company. This company worked on recorded music, television shows, theater productions, fashion, and brand management. He helped bring back and manage the careers of artists like Marc Anthony and Lindsay Lohan. Later, he also worked with artists such as Cassie Ventura and Mika.

He also helped bring back the famous Casablanca Records label in a partnership with Universal Music Group. Through this, he signed artists like Lindsay Lohan and Mika.

In January 2013, Mottola released his book, Hitmaker: The Man and His Music. He wrote it with Cal Fussman. The book shares stories about his career and his experiences in the music industry.

Mottola Media Group

After leaving Sony in 2003, Mottola started Mottola Media Group. This company has created many projects for theater, television, and music. One of its most famous productions is the musical version of Chazz Palminteri's A Bronx Tale. This musical opened on Broadway in December 2016 and ran until August 2018.

Mottola Media Group also produced other musicals. These include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (2017), Jersey Boys (Off-Broadway, 2004), and Groundhog Day (2016).

In 2018, Mottola Media Group made a deal with eOne (now part of Lionsgate). This deal was to create new TV shows, both scripted and unscripted.

Mottola also created and produced documentaries for HBO. These include The Latin Explosion: A New America (2015) and 15: A Quinceañera Story (2017). The latter even received a nomination from the Directors Guild of America.

Ntertain Studios

In March 2021, Tommy Mottola helped start Ntertain Studios. He co-founded it with Lex Borrero and Range Media Partners. Ntertain is an entertainment company that creates and produces content. Its main goal is to highlight Latino stories, talent, brands, and culture.

Some of Ntertain's notable productions include:

• Los Montaner for Disney+, which was renewed for a second season.
• Thalía's Mixtape: El Soundtrack de Mi Vida for Paramount+.
• La Firma (The Signing) and Neon for Netflix.

In 2023, Ntertain teamed up with Audio Up Media. This partnership was to launch original Latino podcast shows and other multimedia projects. Ntertain is based in Miami and is led by Mottola and Borrero.

Personal Life

Tommy Mottola began dating Mariah Carey when she was recording her first album. They were married in New York City on June 5, 1993. Their relationship later faced challenges due to creative differences in her music. They separated in December 1996 and officially divorced in March 1998.

Thalía and Tommy Mottola kissing at her Macy's Thalía Collection

Mottola married Thalía on December 2, 2000. The couple has two children together. Their daughter was born in October 2007, and their son was born in June 2011.

Awards and Recognitions

• City of Hope Spirit of Life Award (1990): This award recognized his efforts to help the City of Hope's mission.
• Billboard Power Player of the Year (1993): This award acknowledged his influence and leadership in the music industry.
• TJ Martell Foundation, Humanitarian of the Year: This honored his support for cancer, leukemia, and AIDS research.
• National Italian American Foundation, Honoree: This celebrated his achievements as a notable Italian-American figure.
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2019): This is a special recognition for his lasting impact in entertainment.

Written Works

• Mottola, Tommy, A New America: How Music Reshaped the Culture and Future of a Nation and Redefined My Life (Celebra, 2016) ISBN 0451467787.
• Mottola, Tommy with Cal Fussman, Hitmaker: The Man and His Music (New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2013) ISBN: 978-0446585187.
• Tosches, Nick, Dangerous Dances: The Authorized Biography (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1984) ISBN: 0283991895.

See also

In Spanish: Tommy Mottola para niños