Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola was born on July 1, 1948, in The Bronx, New York City, into a middle-class Italian-American family. From an early age, Mottola showed an interest in music, eventually leading him to leave Hofstra University in Long Island to pursue a musical career. He began as a guitarist and singer with the R&B cover band The Exotics.
After his initial efforts as a musician proved unsuccessful, Mottola transitioned into the corporate side of the music industry. He worked at Chappell Music Publishing, where he built a network of influential contacts among artists and media professionals. Leveraging this experience, he founded Champion Entertainment Organization, a management company known for representing high-profile clients such as Hall & Oates. His innovative strategies, including the use of music videos and corporate sponsorships for tours, helped to redefine artist promotion during that era.
Tommy Mottola joined Sony Music Entertainment in 1988 and rose to become Chairman and CEO, guiding the company through a period of unprecedented growth. Under his leadership, Sony’s annual revenue rose from $800 million at the time of his arrival to approximately $6 billion by the year 2000. One of his most notable achievements was the expansion of Sony's operations into over 60 countries.
Mottola was instrumental in major acquisitions, including securing the rights to the Beatles’ music catalog through ATV Music Publishing. He also spearheaded Sony’s pioneering move into digital music, making it the first company to offer commercial digital downloads. During this time, he played a key role in cultivating the careers of global superstars like Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Gloria Estefan, solidifying Sony’s position as a powerhouse in the global music industry.
| Birth Date: | 14 Jul, 1949 |
| Age: | 70 yrs |
| Occupations: | Music producer Television producer |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | The Bronx |
| Education: | Iona Preparatory School |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American music executive |
| Spouse: | Mariah Carey[1993-1998] Thalía [M. 2000] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 450 million |
