(CelebrittyAccess MediaWire) —
Tom Donnarumma has been named general manager, Columbia Records, He. was previously executive vice president, Sales, Sony Music Label Group. He is based in New York.
In his new role, Donnarumma will report to and work closely with Steve Barnett, chairman Columbia Records Group, in overseeing the day to day operations of Columbia Records. He will also directly oversee marketing, artist development, online strategies and publicity.
"Tom and I worked together during some of Columbia's greatest years," said Don Ienner, chief executive officer of Sony Music Label Group U.S. "This is the first time in eleven years that he is not reporting directly to me, and the only way I would ever let that happen would be for this outstanding opportunity at Columbia."
"It's great that Tom is coming back to Columbia," said. Barnett. "He has a long and impressive history with the label, and great relationships with employees, as well as with artists and their management teams. We worked together at Epic, and I came to deeply respect Tom as a true music guy who made major contributions to our success. With his considerable experience in sales, retail, marketing, and his track record in the digital arena, Tom will be an essential player as we continue to expand the reach of our artists and projects."
"I'm excited to be working with Steve, and looking forward to rejoining the team at Columbia," said. Donnarumma. "I'm also grateful to have the opportunity to make new contributions to the growth of the label, and I look forward to facing new challenges with old friends like Steve, Don Ienner and Michele Anthony."
Most recently, Donnarumma served as executive vice president, Sales, Sony Music Label Group where he developed fully integrated, long term marketing, sales, and digital strategies to benefit the company's artists, labels and divisions.
Prior to that, he was senior vice president, Sales & Retail Marketing, Columbia Records Group, since 2002. In this capacity, Donnarumma was the primary liaison between Columbia Records and the Sony Music Branch Distribution system and was responsible for developing and implementing innovative campaigns for Columbia artists. He also coordinated sales plans and programs at the branch and retail levels, oversaw regional account advertising while coordinating national consumer advertising, and directed the label's "street teams."
Donnarumma joined CBS Records as an account service representative and served as sales representative for CBS/Sony from 1986-90. After spending one year as local sales manager for PolyGram Group Distribution, he returned to Sony Music Distribution in 1991 as sales manager at the New York Branch. In 1994, he was promoted to branch manager. A year later, he became vice president, Sales, Columbia Records, a post he held until April 1997, when he was promoted to senior vice resident, Sales, Columbia Records.
Donnarumma was named Sales Representative of the Year in 1989. Under his direction, the New York Branch was named Distribution Branch of the Year in 1994, and was named Columbia Records and Epic Records Branch of the Year. It was the first and only time a single branch office was awarded that title from both labels. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
