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Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola (born July 14, 1949) is an American music executive, co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. He is the ex-husband of Mariah Carey and is married to Mexican singer Thalía. He headed Sony Music Entertainment, parent of the Columbia label, for nearly 15 years.^[1]

Apart from his experience in managing music outfits, Mottola is known as a mentor and former talent manager. His most famous proteges were Hall & Oates, Carly Simon, John Mellencamp,^[2] Diana Ross, and Taylor Dayne in the 1980s, Mariah Carey (his second wife) in the 1990s, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Lopez in the early 2000s.

Sony[link]

During his tenure, he transformed Sony into one of the most successful global music companies, expanding its businesses into over 60 countries, while creating one of the strongest management teams in the industry.^{[citation needed]} He revitalized Sony Music's publishing division by making such acquisitions as the Beatles catalogue 2 weeks after and that was once owned by Michael Jacksons death, and enabled Sony to become the first major music company to make available commercial digital downloads.^{[citation needed]} Additionally, Mottola was the architect for some of Sony's biggest global brands such as Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.^{[citation needed]} During his 15 year tenure, Mottola built Sony up from a company with revenues of $800 million a year to one with over $6 billion of annual revenue by the year 2000.^{[citation needed]}

He is widely well known for signing, developing, and nurturing the careers of Celine Dion, Destiny's Child, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, the Dixie Chicks, Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, among others. He also is credited with creating the Latin Explosion in popular music by championing such Sony artists as Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Ricky Martin. He also worked with Michael Jackson from the time he began recording his "Dangerous" (1991) album. Jackson would later state that his relationship with Mottola dissolved based on corruption in Mottola's working practices, publicly referring to him as a "racist" and "devil". "The recording companies really, really do conspire against the artists", Jackson said.^[3]

In June 2010, he decided to sell his ranch in Colorado, for $27.5 million, as he was not spending time in it anymore and wanted to be closer to his family.

Thalía[link]

Mottola later went on to date other stars before dating Mexican singer, Thalía. The two were married on December 2, 2000, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. They have two children: a daughter and a son.^[4]

After Sony[link]

Tommy Mottola was the head of Sony Music Entertainment until January 2003. Since leaving his post as chief of Sony Music, Mottola has been building a new entertainment company, complete with recorded music, television production, theater, and fashion, alongside a branding and management company launching^{[citation needed]}. He was instrumental in re-launching the various careers of such artists as Grammy winner and Latin pop star Marc Anthony^{[citation needed]}, and teen sensation Lindsay Lohan.^[5] Later signings included Cassie Ventura^{[citation needed]} in 2006 and Mika^{[citation needed]}, who in 2007 had a #1 single in the UK.

A collaboration with former Miramax chief Harvey Weinstein has them teamed on two current projects for live theater, namely producers of Pink Floyd's The Wall. Mottola's TV production arm is currently producing and developing many shows for cable and network television.

Mottola bought out the rights to Casablanca Records (a then-diminished imprint of Polygram), and resurrected it, signing actress Lindsay Lohan, and singer Mika.

Philanthropy[link]

Known also for his many philanthropic activities, Mottola has served on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Police Athletic League of New York City, T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, Leukemia and AIDS Research, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum, and the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation.

Cultural references[link]

The character of Gene Balboa in the Channel 101 Internet TV Series Yacht Rock is loosely based on Mottola, in particular his time as manager of Hall and Oates.^[6]

In 1977, Mottola's name was mentioned in the first line of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band's "Cherchez La Femme".

The Australian band Regurgitator include the song "i love tommy mottola" on their 1999 album "...art".

Mentioned in the Lil Wayne song Spitter off the mixtape Dedication 2 "I got that Tommy Mottola..."

Mentioned in the opening chorus of Ghostface Killah's song Cherchez LaGhost off of the Supreme Clientele album, released in 2000.

Mentioned by Wyclef Jean in the Fugees song "How Many Mics" from their 1996 Grammy award winning album The Score, "...One day I have a label and make deals with Tommy Mottola."

Mentioned in "No Show," Season 4, Episode 2 of the series "The Sopranos". Tony says in sarcasm to his sister, Janice, "That Tommy Mottola, he's one slow motherfucker. What's it been, about a year now?" He intends to say that she does not actually have any connection to a music executive of Mr. Mottola's caliber.

Mentioned in the TV series Smash (2012), Season 1 Episode 6: Chemistry. Ensemble dancer Jessica explains to Karen who Bobby Raskin was: "He's big. He's like... umm... Tommy Mottola. And don't say 'Who's Tommy Mottola?'"

References[link]

1. ^ "Sony picks NBC president to replace Tommy Mottola". USA Today. January 10, 2003. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2003-01-10-sony-lack_x.htm. Retrieved May 25, 2010. 
2. ^ "Sony Chairman Tommy Mottola Steps Down."mtv.com
3. ^ Jennifer Vineyard (8 July 2002). "Michael Jackson Shocks Al Sharpton By Calling Tommy Mottola A Racist". VH1. http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1455976/20020708/jackson_michael.jhtml. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 
4. ^ "''It's a Girl for Singer Thalía and Tommy Mottola''". People. October 8, 2007. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20151209,00.html. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 
5. ^ "Lohan to testify in mother's case." contactmusic
6. ^ "Yacht Rock". "Yacht Rock". http://www.yachtrock.com. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 

External links[link]

• Vh1