Chris Moradi has joined music industry writer-producer management company Hallwood Media as Senior Vice President, Promotion & Licensing.
Moradi joins Hallwood from Interscope Geffen A&M Records, where he spent 22 years at the label group, most recently leading National Top 40 Radio Promotion.
It was at IGA that Moradi was first introduced to Hallwood Media founder and CEO Neil Jacobson.
Neil Jacobson was the long-time President of Geffen Records in Los Angeles, before exiting the UMG label in 2019 and launching Hallwood Media in 2020.
Hallwood Media’s writer-producer roster includes Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Bruno Mars), Murda Beatz (Drake, Ariana Grande, Migos), David Stewart (BTS, Jonas Brothers), IAmTash (Pop Smoke), Yung Dza (Cardi B), Bipolar Sunshine (DJ Snake, Beyonce), Beach Noise (Kendrick Lamar, Baby Keem) and Brendan O’Brien (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen).
In its first year, Hallwood Media achieved three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1’s – Cardi B’s Up, produced by Serbia-based producer Yung Dza, BTS’ Dynamite, co-written and produced by the London-based David Stewart and Jessica Agombar, and Polo G’s Rapstar, co-written by Murda Beatz.
Hallwood Media says that today’s announcement “is the latest in a number of strategic executive hires that has well positioned Jacobson’s management company for success in today’s shifting music economy.”
In January 2021, Jacobson planned to raise $200 million via an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
In February, he was successful in taking his SPAC, The Music Acquisition Corporation [TMAC], public in a $230m IPO.
“Chris has been one of my favorite executives for a very long time.”
Neil Jacobson, Hallwood Media
Neil Jacobson, Hallwood Media founder and CEO, said: “Chris has been one of my favorite executives for a very long time.
“His skills, specifically with understanding how to sell music in its most rudimentary form is what sets him apart.
“As the entire industry shifts, specifically as it pertains to music discovery and licensing, knowing how to articulate the elements of what our producers, songwriters and their music do to a whole new set of music consumers on the wholesale level will be both a benefit to them and to our incredible clientele.
“As I’ve said before, ‘Licensing is the new Radio’ – and we are bringing in one of the best radio people in the world to drive that shift.”
“today new music discovery can come from anywhere.”
Chris Moradi
Chris Moradi, added: “Radio promotion has been the driving force for new music discovery for decades and while it remains an important part of an artist’s journey, today new music discovery can come from anywhere.
“By applying promotion insights to TV, film, gaming, streaming, social media and its influencers, we will ensure Hallwood’s world class stable of producers and songwriters get every opportunity to be heard. I want to thank Neil for this opportunity, he is a visionary dealmaker and I look forward to working with him to help bend audiences closer to the art.
“I also want to thank my Interscope family – John Janick, Brenda Romano, Chris Lopes and Nino Cuccinello – for allowing me to help shape culture at the world’s most iconic label for over two decades.”Music Business Worldwide