Tom Corson Set to Receive City of Hope’s 2025 Spirit of Life Award
Written by djfrosty on March 19, 2025
Tom Corson, co-chairman/COO of Warner Records, is set to receive the City of Hope’s 2025 Spirit of Life Award. It will be presented this fall at the annual Spirit of Life Gala in Los Angeles. For more than 50 years, the music industry has united around the Spirit of Life campaign, raising nearly $170 million to support City of Hope’s research and treatment efforts — mainly focused on cancer and diabetes.
“It is a profound honor to be recognized as this year’s Spirit of Life honoree,” Corson said in a statement. “At Warner Records, we often say it’s not just about the song — it’s about the artist. In the same way, City of Hope isn’t just about treatments — it’s about the people, their dreams, and their futures. When I sit down with an artist, we talk about their goals and aspirations, and we work to make those dreams a reality. That same spirit of transformation is at the core of City of Hope’s mission: turning hope into tangible breakthroughs for patients fighting cancer. The music industry has always been about more than entertainment; it’s about connection, transformation, and impact. I am proud to stand with my peers in championing this cause and supporting the vital and lifesaving work City of Hope does every day.”
Evan Lamberg, president of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and chairman of City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) board, said Corson’s honor was well-earned: “Tom has been an unwavering supporter of City of Hope for years, and his leadership and dedication to both our industry and this cause make him a truly deserving honoree.”
Trending on Billboard
Alissa Pollack, executive vp of global music marketing at iHeartMedia and president of City of Hope’s MFEI board, added: “Tom Corson has been a driving force in shaping modern music, and his philanthropic passion reflects that same commitment. The Spirit of Life campaign reminds us of the power of music to heal and inspire, and Tom’s leadership will help us elevate that message even further this year.”
“We are thrilled to honor Tom Corson as this year’s Spirit of Life recipient,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope. “Tom’s leadership, both in the music industry and as a long-time member of the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Board, exemplifies the transformative spirit that defines our work.”
The honor is a cornerstone of the MFEI’s annual philanthropic campaign. This year, the campaign takes on even greater significance as Los Angeles continues to recover from January’s devastating wildfires — events that not only displaced families but also contributed to long-term health risks due to toxic smoke exposure.
A group of key industry executives founded City of Hope’s MFEI group in 1973. The Spirit of Life Award is the organization’s most prestigious honor. Past honorees include Jay Marciano, Lyor Cohen, Shelli and Irving Azoff, Edgar Bronfman Jr., Coran Capshaw, Eddy Cue, Clive Davis, Sir Lucian Grainge, Allen Grubman, Quincy Jones, Rob Light, Monte and Avery Lipman, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin, Bob Pittman, Jon Platt and Sylvia Rhone.
Since Corson joined Warner Records in January 2018, the storied label has had success with such new and established artists as Dua Lipa, Zach Bryan, Michael Bublé, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Rufus Du Sol, Linkin Park, Cher, Dasha, Red Hot Chili Peppers, JISOO, Josh Groban, Gary Clark Jr., Green Day, The Black Keys, Saweetie, NLE Choppa and Omar Apollo.
Corson came to Warner Records from RCA Music Group, where he spent nearly 18 years and most recently served as president/COO. He began his career in the music industry as a college intern at IRS Records. Upon graduating from UCLA, he joined the label as director of West Coast sales. Corson moved to A&M Records in 1985, advancing to vp of marketing. In 1990, he was named senior vp of marketing at Capitol Records. From 1996 to 2000, he served as senior vp of marketing at Columbia Records.
Corson has appeared on the Billboard Power 100 list for the last 14 years. On this year’s list, published in January, he and Warner Records co-chairman/CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck were listed at No. 15. Billboard’s capsule entry noted, in part: “Since taking over Warner in 2018, they’ve signed stars Zach Bryan, who was a 21-time finalist for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards; Teddy Swims and Benson Boone, who are both nominated for best new artist Grammys; Dasha, who ‘crossed over in pop and country,’ Corson says; and rapper NLE Choppa, who hit 9 billion career total streams. The label also relaunched Linkin Park, which released its first studio album in seven years, From Zero, and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.”
In addition, Corson and Bay-Schuck were named 2024 Variety Hitmakers Executive of the Year. Corson is a member of the Recording Academy and the Music and Entertainment Industry board for City of Hope and also sits on the executive committee of the board of directors for the T.J Martell Foundation. He is also the chairman of the UCLA School of Music Business’ board of advisors.