Universal announces new changes - Mundo Latino: news events

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, August-Sept, 2003

Universal Music Group has entered into an exclusive venture with Thomas D. Mottola to launch Casablanca Records, "We are delighted to be in business with Tommy and his dynamic team at Casablanca," said Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, Mel Lewitner, Chairman & CEO of Universal Motown Records.

"For over a decade, he was the heart and soul of Sony's creative success. Tommy brings to the company the same innovation and creativity that have been the hallmarks of everything he's done in his storied career."

"And under his leadership, we are confident that Casablanca will provide the kind of organic environment needed for artists to develop, while at the same time benefiting from Universal Motown's unique support system."

As one of the most highly regarded and influential executives in the worldwide entertainment business, Mottola most recently served as Chairman and CEO Sony Music Entertainment. During his tenure, he transformed Sony into one of the most successful global music companies in history, expanding its businesses in over 60 countries, handling many of the great Latino artists, while creating one of the strongest management teams in the industry. Along the way, he developed and nurtured many of contemporary music's top icons, from Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Gloria Estefan and Aerosmith, to Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Nas, the Dixie Chicks, Shakira and Marc Anthony, among many others.

Mottola joined Sony (then CBS Records) in 1988 at age 37 as President of CBS Records, making him the youngest President in CBS history.

Prior to joining CBS, Mottola was one of music's most prominent artist managers, who successfully launched the careers of such chart-toppers as Hall & Oates, Carly Simon and John Mellencamp. Universal Music Group is the world's leading Music Company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 71 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations.