Sony Music Publishing Latin is partnering with NEON16 and music exec Tommy Mottola

Legendary music executive Tommy Mottola is getting back into business with Sony Music.

Sony Music Publishing Latin has entered into a global partnership with Tommy Mottola and entertainment and media company NEON16 to launch a new publishing company, called 22 Publishing.

With the partnership, SMP says it will work alongside NEON16 to create key opportunities for the company’s roster across music, film, and television.

Mottola is currently the Chairman of Mottola Media Group. He was Chairman and CEO of Sony Music between 1988 and 2003 and was responsible for a total of eight billion units sold and more than $65 billion dollars in sales during his tenure.

Over the course of his career, Mottola has worked with artists ranging from Celine Dion to Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Aerosmith, Nas, and Will Smith. He also worked with Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony.

NEON16 was founded by industry veteran Lex Borrero and Grammy nominated producer Tainy.

NEON16’s management roster includes Tainy, Yandel, Dylan Fuentes, Albert Hype, Jota Rosa, Kris Floyd, Manuel Lara, Rudeboyz and Jodosky.

In 2021, Borrero partnered with Tommy Mottola and Range Media Partners to launch NTERTAIN, a multimedia company focused on “creating content that portray Latin narratives”.

22 Publishing’s team of songwriters and producers are responsible for hits including Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, Selena Gomez’s Grammy nominated Revelacion, Kali Uchis’ groundbreaking global smash hit Telepatía, and Shakira’s new hit Te Felicito with Rauw Alejandro, to name a few.

Several of the company’s songwriters also contributed to hit songs for The Spongebob Movie: Sponge On The Run movie soundtrack including Agua by Tainy and J Balvin, which has amassed over 333 million Spotify streams.

Its roster includes Albert Hype (Telepatia by Kali Uchis, Shakira’s Te Felicito), Jota Rosa (Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, Baila Conmigo by Selena Gomez), Gaby Morales (Dalex’s Hola andYandel’s Deja Vu), Ivanni Rodriguez (J Balvin’s Un Dia and Agua with Tainy), as well as emerging talent such as Rozo, Jodosky and Dylan Fuentes.

Borrero said: “Our goal is to create a platform for producers and songwriters to build their brand and their business to go beyond the music.

“22 will go beyond servicing their music and catalog, providing our writers with an opportunity to develop their limitless potential.”

Sony Music Publishing President & CEO, Latin America and U.S. Latin Jorge Mejia, said: “Tainy and Lex Borrero are one of the most formidable and visionary teams in music today.

“Our partnership with NEON16 and Tommy Mottola adds an incredible new dimension to our long-term relationship with them and will be a vehicle for nurturing the newest and most exciting talent for years to come.”