CORSON RISES TO EVP/GM RCA MUSIC GROUP
Tom Corson has been appointed Executive Vice President/General Manager for RCA Music Group, continuing to report to BMG Label Group Chairman/CEO Clive Davis, based in the N.Y. headquarters. He was formerly EVP/GM for J/Arista Records, a title he has held for three years, and now adds RCA Records to his duties, which include overseeing marketing, publicity, sales, international, video and operations.
Corson was in the initial group of senior executives that participated in the launch of J Records as a major label in 2000. He began as EVP, Worldwide Marketing and Sales, managing releases from Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, Luther Vandross and Pearl Jam, among others. Previously, he was SVP Worldwide Marketing and Sales at Arista Records and prior to that, SVP Marketing for Columbia Records from 1996-2000, where he oversaw artists including System of a Down, The Offspring, Will Smith, Bob Dylan and Lauryn Hill.
Commented Davis: “Tom has proven himself to be an outstanding executive. He is a strong leader, a creative thinker and he will continue to lead his expanded team to succeed on all the artists’ behalf. And he listens to all my anecdotes without feigning boredom. I don't know how he does it.”
Commented BMG N.A. President Charles Goldstuck: “Tom’s ability to understand and anticipate the marketplace has been invaluable to J/Arista and its artists. I know that he will take his larger role head on and will be tireless in his efforts to continue the successes of RCA Music Group’s roster of great artists. But I draw the line at giving him my parking spot.”
Added Corson: “It has been such a privilege to work side by side with Clive Davis and Charles Goldstuck and an honor to work with the artists on J/Arista Records. I look forward to the new challenges ahead and I’m delighted to work with the incomparable artists and executives at RCA, a label with an incredible legacy, a successful present and a bright future. And if I blew any more smoke, you could call me Cheech and Chong.”
