In the new role, Nolan joins the UMG-owned label’s executive leadership team. As such, he will help guide the company as well as overseeing Motown’s marketing teams and initiatives.
Over the course of his career, Nolan has held positions in radio promotion, sync licensing, brand partnerships, sports marketing, original content and international marketing.
This included multiple deals for Lil Baby and PepsiCo and a series of campaigns for Halsey with Beats By Dre, including a 2019 global holiday campaign that helped propel the artist’s single, Without Me, to become one of her biggest hits so far.
Nolan’s other achievements include a Mountain Dew and Migos deal that featured the trio and their original song, Position To Win, in a year-long national TV ad campaign, as well as placement for Migos’ Stir Fry in TNT’s 2018 All Star Weekend promotional spots.
In 2017, Nolan created the Bonus Tracks program (via CMG’s partnership with Compton Unified School District at Dominguez High School) in which students learn about careers within the music industry through in-person seminars at the school.
The program includes college scholarships and has been expanded to multiple markets in the U.S. This includes Nashville, and is set to launch in Atlanta in 2022.
Nolan is also a board member of the West Coast chapter of the TJ Martell Foundation.
Before joining CMG in 2017 Nolan spent 12 years at Columbia Records/Sony Music, most recently as Columbia’s Vice President of International Marketing.
In that role, he led the international marketing campaign for David Bowie’s ★ album, one of the biggest-selling worldwide releases of 2016. He also led international marketing campaigns for Depeche Mode, John Mayer and Russ.
Prior to assuming that role, Nolan was Vice President of Sony Music’s in-house Creative Agency, where he co-created Culinary Beats – a CITI-branded original series that aired for two seasons on Yahoo! – and On The Road, which aired on The Travel Channel.
He was also an Executive Producer of YouTube’s Best.Cover.Ever original series, which aired in 2017.
Nolan has played a key role in the development of J. Cole through his work in rhythm promotion and sports marketing, says Motown, and was named as one of Linkedin’s Next Wave in 2015.
Nolan was also one of Billboard Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2014, 30 Under 30 in 2009, and Street Information Network’s (S.I.N.) Mixshow Executive of the Year in 2008.
“Brian sees the big picture.”
Ethiopia Habtemariam, Motown Records
Ethiopia Habtemariam said: “As we continue to build Motown, I’m excited to bring together leaders who are not only innovative in their approach to their work but thoughtful, deliberate and committed to supporting our artists and bringing their vision to the world.
“Brian sees the big picture and draws from his experience in promotion, international marketing, brand partnerships and sync, giving him an understanding of how to connect the dots and create synergies for robust, well-rounded global campaigns.”
“I have been preparing for this role for over 20 years.”
Brian Nolan
Brian Nolan added: “I have been preparing for this role for over 20 years and I am so grateful to Ethiopia for the opportunity.
“We are building an incredible new legacy at Motown and I feel extremely proud to be doing purposeful work helping to drive our artists’ vision to fans around the globe.”Music Business Worldwide
