Tom Sturges

Tom Sturges is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in the music industry, having served as executive vice president, head of creative at Universal Music Publishing Group. In this role, he managed the creative team, facilitated new talent acquisitions, and developed marketing strategies to support the career development of signed artists. Sturges' career also includes significant tenures as president of Chrysalis Music and vice president and general manager of Shaquille O’Neal’s Twism Records. His impact in the music industry is further underscored by his success in signing major artists such as Smashing Pumpkins, 50 Cent & G Unit, Foo Fighters, and Outkast, with artists under his guidance selling a combined 175 million albums, 26 million singles, and achieving 18 million downloads.

In addition to his executive roles, Sturges is a best-selling author and an accomplished speaker on topics like Creativity, Education, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. His publications include "Every Idea Is a Good Idea: Be Creative Anytime, Anywhere," "Parking Lot Rules," and "Grow the Tree You Got." These works complement his commitment to mentoring and education, as seen in his role as a children's mentor in Los Angeles, where he has guided over 400 students, all of whom graduated from high school and entered 4-year colleges.

Currently, Sturges extends his influence to academia as a lecturer at UCLA, where he teaches "The Music Business Now," a course he co-created for the Music Business minor. His involvement in education is paralleled by his recognition as the first executive-in-residence at the Clive Davis School of Recorded Music at New York University. His efforts have been notably recognized in the documentary "WITNESS TO A DREAM," which highlights his dedication to mentoring inner-city public school children. This dedication has earned him 40 awards from civic and national leaders.