Meet Mamie Coleman | EVP & Head of Creative Music, Fox Entertainment
We had the good fortune of connecting with Mamie Coleman and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Mamie, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
I’ve been fortunate enough to work with extremely inspiring female executives during my tenure at Fox – including Gail Berman, Dana Walden, Angela Courtin, Amy Carney, Ellen Shin, Jean Guerin, Allison Wallach, Jill Hudson, Terri Hines and Suzanne Coffman (Music Rightz). I’ve learned so much throughout my relationships with this empowering group of women but one crystalized idea stands as the center of my value system that I always share with my Fox Female Mentorship mentees.
No matter how high you climb in your career, the hurdles you cross, the accomplishments you make, always remember to send that same elevator back down to bring someone up with you. No individual is a one (wo)man band and it’s so important to always recognize the collective efforts of our colleagues and friends around us.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a TV music executive, working at a major network has taught me that networking and relationships are everything in this industry. Music in television and film isn’t just about finding a good song; it’s about finding the “right” song that resonates with the story, enhances the emotional experience, and sometimes, even becomes a character in itself. The most impactful lesson has been learning how to build and sustain strong relationships with artists, composers, licensing partners, and production teams because every connection is a potential creative asset and business ally.
Timing is just as crucial. An effective music executive has to anticipate trends, recognize when a specific sound or artist could elevate a project, and be ready to pivot when a show’s needs or directions shifts. This often means pushing boundaries and being proactive with the creative ideas. A project might have a clear sonic vision, but a lot can change from conception to production. Being adaptable and open to the ever-shifting landscape is key.
I’m lucky enough to work at a corporation that allows my team and I to champion music discovery with both major label and unsigned independent artists. The ability to offer independent artists the opportunity to have their music shared on a massive media platform through licensing, songwriting camps, and bespoke music opportunities is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job as an executive.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Run on the strand, chill on the beach, spa treatments at Terranea, drive up the coast to Paso Robles for wine tasting, take a ride over Palm Springs and do a pool day at the Ace Hotel, sandwiches at Larchmont Wine and Cheese, watch a movie horizontal mode at IPic, fish tacos and strawberry margaritas at Don Cucos, catch a show at the Troubadour, grab some sushi at Sushi Fumi, and hang out at the JG Rooftop to see epic views of L.A.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Music is a team sport and I feel so blessed to have spent my 32 year career surrounded by artists, executives, and producers that deeply inspire me.
I’ve been lucky to witness the evolution of Fox Entertainment over the past three decades and what’s been consistent throughout has been an incredible team of talented music creatives that each bring a unique perspective and approach to the day to day. Massive shouts to the Fox Entertainment Music (FEM) team, Katy Gavillet, Selena Arizanovic, Ryan Kofman, Kristen McFarren, and Rachel Kang for continuing to innovate and champion the FEM creative mission. Also, big love to my fearless leaders Rob Wade and Jeff Acosta who have been relentlessly supportive of FEM as we continue to grow the division through empowering my team to take risks as we think about music in a cutting edge media landscape.
And of course my family who continues to keep me grounded. My daughter Mecca, my siblings Myra and Malik, and my mom Lola fill me with endless love and inspiration on a daily basis.
Instagram: A_mamie_zing
Image Credits
Mamie Coleman
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