Neil Jacobson
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Neil Jacobson (born 28 April 1977) is an American music executive and founder of Hallwood Media, an independent music management company, publisher, and record label.[1] He is the former president of Geffen Records.[2][3][4][5]
Early life
[edit]Jacobson was born in New York. At an early age, he was a fan of Guns N' Roses and Nirvana.[6] At age 15, Jacobson's focus turned to the music industry. He had been inspired to become a record label executive while working his first job as a caddy at the Deepdale Golf Club. He would also take on a job as a carpet salesman, working for Stark Carpet in New York City.[4]
Jacobson was recommended for an internship at Arista Records' radio department after an interaction with executive Tom Ennis, whom Jacobson caddied for at Deepdale Golf Club.[4]
In the late 1990s, Jacobson attended the Berklee College of Music, where he met and befriended Jeff Bhasker. While attending Berklee, he created an avant garde jazz record label, Tonic Productions.[6]
Career
[edit]Jacobson worked with Interscope Records, beginning as an assistant in the international department, which was headed by Martin Kierszenbaum, founder of Cherrytree Records. Jacobson became an international publicist, handling press campaigns and promotion for the Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent, Gwen Stefani, N.E.R.D., Eminem, Snoop Dogg and The Game.[6]
Jacobson was involved in the releases of the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" and Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines". He has brokered catalog sales for Jeff Bhasker and Brendan O'Brien.[7]
In December 2019, Jacobson left UMG and created Hallwood Media, an independent music management company, publisher, and record label.[1][8]
In 2021, Jacobson founded The Music Acquisition Corp. (TMAC), which has been described as "the music industry's first special-purpose acquisition company". TMAC raised $230 million in its initial public offering. He was also named on the Rolling Stone Future 25 list in recognition of his work.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Neil Jacobson Launches Producer Management Company Hallwood Media". Variety. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
- ^ "Music exec Neil Jacobson sells in Venice, sets sights on Beverly Hills". Los Angeles Times. November 11, 2016.
- ^ "Geffen Records to Relaunch With Neil Jacobson as President: Exclusive". Billboard. March 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c "The Ascent of Neil Jacobson '99 | Berklee College of Music". Berklee.edu.
- ^ "Neil Jacobson Launches Producer Management Company Hallwood Media". Yahoo News Philippines. 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
- ^ a b c Ingham, Tim (2019-05-21). "'Creativity is a muscle. It must be worked out. It must be pushed.'". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
- ^ a b Millman, Ethan (June 15, 2021). "Neil Jacobson, Head of TMAC the SPAC — Future 25". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Neil Jacobson: How to Go From Golf Caddy to Geffen Records President". Billboard.com. March 24, 2017.