{{Short description|American music executive (born 1977)}} {{Infobox person | name = <!-- defaults to article title when left blank --> | image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing brackets --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|04|28}} | birth_place = Long Island, New York, U.S. | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) --> | death_place = | other_names = | education = Berklee College of Music | occupation = Founder, Hallwood Media | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = | spouse = Celine Jacobson<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leitereg |first1=Neal |title=Music exec Neil Jacobson sells in Venice, sets sights on Beverly Hills |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-neil-jacobson-venice-20161110-story.html |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=November 11, 2016}}</ref> | website = {{URL|hallwoodmedia.com}} }}
'''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.<ref name="Variety 5-19-2020"/> He is a former president of Geffen Records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-neil-jacobson-venice-20161110-story.html|title=Music exec Neil Jacobson sells in Venice, sets sights on Beverly Hills|date=November 11, 2016|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="Geffen">{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7735785/geffen-records-relaunch-neil-jacobson-roster|title=Geffen Records to Relaunch With Neil Jacobson as President: Exclusive|date=March 23, 2017|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref name="Berklee" /><ref name="YN-2018">{{cite web | title=Neil Jacobson Launches Producer Management Company Hallwood Media | website=Yahoo News Philippines | date=2018-08-26 | url=https://ph.news.yahoo.com/neil-jacobson-launches-producer-management-135720603.html | access-date=2020-09-11}}</ref>
==Early life== Jacobson was born and raised in Long Island, New York.<ref name="Ingham 2019"/><ref name="CSQ">{{cite web |last1=Dalton |first1=Andrew |title=The Next Venture from Former Geffen Records President Neil Jacobson |url=https://csq.com/2020/09/the-next-venture-from-former-geffen-records-president-neil-jacobson/ |website=csq.com |date=September 28, 2020}}</ref> As a child, Jacobson was diagnosed with ADHD. In the fifth grade, he was kicked out of his band class due to disruptions. Jacobson’s father and the principal disagreed with the decision made, and as a result, his father bought him a drum set.<ref name="Berklee"/> He was a fan of Guns N' Roses and Nirvana.<ref name="Ingham 2019"/> 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.<ref name="Berklee">{{Cite web|url=https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-today/summer-2017/neil-jacobson|title=The Ascent of Neil Jacobson '99 | Berklee College of Music|website=Berklee.edu}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Berklee"/>
In 1996, Jacobson attended the Berklee College of Music, withdrawing after four years to start his own avant garde jazz record label, Tonic Productions. During his time in college, he met and befriended Jeff Bhasker.<ref name="Ingham 2019">{{cite web | last=Ingham | first=Tim | title='Creativity is a muscle. It must be worked out. It must be pushed.' | website=Music Business Worldwide | date=2019-05-21 | url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/neil-jacobson-creativity-is-a-muscle-it-must-be-worked-out-it-must-be-pushed/ | access-date=2020-09-11}}</ref><ref name="HallwoodV"/>
==Career== Jacobson worked with Interscope Records, a label of Universal Music Group (UMG), 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.<ref name="Ingham 2019"/>
At the company, Jacobson was an A&R representative working alongside Jimmy Iovine<ref name="Catalog"/> for the release of multi-platinum albums and songs, including LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem",<ref name="A&R">{{cite web |last1=Gensler |first1=Andy |title=Neil Jacobson: How to Go From Golf Caddy to Geffen Records President |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/neil-jacobson-interview-geffen-records-president/ |publisher=Billboard |date=March 24, 2017}}</ref> the Black Eyed Peas' ''The E.N.D.'' (including songs such as "I Gotta Feeling", "Meet Me Halfway" and "Boom Boom Pow"),<ref>{{cite AV media|author=The Black Eyed Peas|year=2009|title=The E.N.D.|type=deluxe edition) (double CD|publisher=Interscope Records, will.i.am Music Group}}</ref><ref name="Records">{{cite web |last1=Stassen |first1=Murray |title=After selling three catalogs to Hipgnosis, Geffen boss Neil Jacobson steps down, launches new venture |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/after-selling-three-catalogs-to-hipgnosis-geffen-boss-neil-jacobson-steps-down-launches-new-venture/ |website=musicbusinessworldwide.com |date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> Kelis' "Flesh Tone",<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Flesh Tone |type=liner notes |others=Kelis |publisher=Interscope Records |year=2010 |id=B001437602}}</ref> Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines",<ref name="Catalog"/> DJ Snake's "Let Me Love You" (featuring Justin Bieber),<ref name="Records"/> "Taki Taki" (featuring Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Ozuna),<ref name="Hitmaker">{{cite web |last1=Herman |first1=James Patrick |title=Hitmaker of the Month: How Geffen's Neil Jacobson Took 'Taki Taki' to the Finish Line |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/dj-snake-taki-taki-selena-gomez-ozuna-cardi-b-about-the-hit-song-1203113681/ |publisher=Variety |date=January 22, 2019}}</ref> and "Lean On" (collaboration with Major Lazer, featuring MØ),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Medved |first1=Matt |title=How DJ Snake Went From a Paris 'Ghetto' to International Dance Music Superstar |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/dj-snake-billboard-cover-story-dance-music-8469247/ |publisher=Billboard |date=August 9, 2018}}</ref> and Avicii's "Wake Me Up!"<ref name="A&R"/> He also A&R'd records from Madonna, Fergie,<ref name="Records"/> and the first American record by the K-pop group, Girls’ Generation, signing them to their first major US label.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Seabrook |first1=John |title=Factory Girls |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/10/08/factory-girls-2 |access-date=18 March 2025 |magazine=The New Yorker |date=October 1, 2012}}</ref>
In addition to A&R, Jacobson founded Interscope's internal artist management division,<ref name="HallwoodV"/> which hosted artists like Robin Thicke,<ref name="A&R"/> Iggy Azalea,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Jacob |title=Iggy Azalea Signs To Interscope, Announces New Album In June |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/jacob-moore/iggy-azalea-signs-to-interscope-announces-new-album-in-june |publisher=Complex |date=January 27, 2012}}</ref> Fernando Garibay,<ref>{{cite web |title=Fernando Garibay - Biography |url=http://www.fernandogaribay.com/biography/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215235058/http://www.fernandogaribay.com/biography/ |archive-date=February 15, 2012}}</ref> and will.i.am (Jacobson also ran his label, will.i.am Music Group).<ref name="A&R"/> He was responsible for signing DJ Snake, and songwriter/producers Jeff Bhasker (Fun, Kanye West, Mark Ronson), Emile Haynie (Lana Del Rey, Father John Misty, Lady Gaga),<ref name="A&R"/> King Henry, Bipolar Sunshine, Alex Salibian and Beach Noise.<ref name="HallwoodV">{{cite news |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Neil Jacobson Launches Producer Management Company Hallwood Media |url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/neil-jacobson-producer-management-company-hallwood-media-1234610635/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=Variety |date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> Jacobson is also known for brokering over $200 million in catalog sales,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Music Acquisition Corporation Form S-1 |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1835236/000121390021002542/fs12021_musicacquisition.htm#T8 |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=January 15, 2021}}</ref> which he has done for Emile Haynie,<ref name="Catalog">{{cite magazine |last1=Millman |first1=Ethan |title=At Work With Neil Jacobson, the 'Larry Gagosian of the Catalog Business' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/neil-jacobson-hallwood-music-catalogs-at-work-1098676/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 4, 2020}}</ref> Jeff Bhasker and Brendan O'Brien.<ref name="tmacrollingstone"/>
In 2017, Geffen Records was relaunched, and Jacobson became its president.<ref name="Geffen"/> Artists like Yungblud, Mura Masa, Bunt,<ref name="Ingham 2019"/> AlunaGeorge,<ref name="A&R"/> Gryffin, and the Darkroom label (which included Billie Eilish) were represented by Geffen Records after its recreation.<ref name="Ingham 2019"/>
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.<ref name="tmacrollingstone">{{cite web |last1=Millman |first1=Ethan |title=Neil Jacobson, Head of TMAC the SPAC — Future 25 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/neil-jacobson-future-25-1179515/ |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>
===Hallwood Media=== In December 2019, after 17 years at UMG,<ref name="Catalog"/> Jacobson bought out the producer-writer management division at Interscope<ref name="CSQ"/> and created Hallwood Media, an independent music management company, publisher, and record label.<ref name="Variety 5-19-2020">{{cite web | title=Neil Jacobson Launches Producer Management Company Hallwood Media | website=Variety | date=2020-05-19 | url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/neil-jacobson-producer-management-company-hallwood-media-1234610635/ | access-date=2020-09-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7736470/neil-jacobson-interview-geffen-records-president|title=Neil Jacobson: How to Go From Golf Caddy to Geffen Records President|date=March 24, 2017|website=Billboard.com}}</ref><ref name="HallwoodV"/> Hallwood Media has represented artists such as 2hollis,<ref>{{cite web |title=This Hits Photo Gallery Is Slathered In Sauce |url=https://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumor-mill/this-lessigreaterhitslessigreater-photo-gallery-is-slathered-in-sauce |date=September 2, 2024}}</ref> YG,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Roderick "PushaRod" Bullock Joins Hallwood |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roderick-pusharod-bullock-joins-hallwood-302098894.html |format=Press release |date=March 26, 2024}}</ref> Remy Bond,<ref>{{cite web |title=Remy Bond signs with Warner |url=https://hq.rostr.cc/insider/news/remy-bond-signs-with-warner |date=February 7, 2025}}</ref> Bankrol Hayden,<ref>{{Cite Instagram |user=hallwoodmedia |postid=DC-ZJdeSYN2 |title=Official music video for "2am Somewhere" |date=November 29, 2024}}</ref> ALEXSUCKS,<ref>{{cite web |title=ALEXSUCKS (Stairs Music/Hallwood Media) |url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/the_bside&id=335479&title=ALEXSUCKS-(Stairs-Music-Hallwood-Media) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517185324/https://hitsdailydouble.com/the_bside&id=335479&title=ALEXSUCKS-(Stairs-Music-Hallwood-Media) |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |date=April 12, 2023}}</ref> David Stewart, Murda Beatz,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ju |first1=Shirley |title=Cory Litwin Joins Hallwood Media as Executive Vice President, Brings Murda Gang to Roster of Hitmakers (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/cory-litwin-murda-beatz-hallwood-media-1234781676/ |publisher=Variety |date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> and Sounwave.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Havens |first1=Lyndsey |title=Managers To Watch: The Rising Execs Helping Baby Keem, Tems, Remi Wolf & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/management/managers-to-watch-baby-keem-tems-remi-wolf-1235062735/ |publisher=Billboard |date=April 25, 2022}}</ref>
==Recognition== Jacobson has been named on multiple lists recognizing his work, including ''Billboard’s'' Hip Hop Power Players List<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Revealed: Billboard's 2021 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-rb-hip-hop-power-players-list-2021-9610231/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |magazine=Billboard |date=August 5, 2021}}</ref> and Power Dance List,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Billboard Dance Power Players 2019: The Managers, Live Leaders & Tastemakers Shaping the Genre |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dance-power-players-list-2019-8504317/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |magazine=Billboard |date=March 28, 2019}}</ref> the ''Rolling Stone'' Future 25,<ref name="tmacrollingstone"/> and ''Variety's'' Hitmakers list.<ref name="Hitmaker"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jacobson, Neil}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:American music industry executives Category:People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder