Walt Disney Music Adds Tom MacDougall
Tom MacDougall named president, Walt Disney Music…
Sometimes you run into a name and you go to IMDB.com and you are genuinely and irrevocably impressed:
Dude. That is like only half of Tom MacDougall’s listing. And you noticed the amazing list of blockbusters on the executive’s list?
Yeah, well now MacDougall is THE president, Walt Disney Music.
Meet Tom MacDougall
Deadline’s Anthony D’Alessandro had the story:
Disney music vet Tom MacDougall has been named President, Walt Disney Music.
MacDougall’s promotion comes in the wake of the studio’s Fox acquisition and recent content & distribution reorganization. Disney Studios Content is consolidating production of music for its live-action and animated content –both theatrical and streaming– across the Disney, Disney Animation, Pixar, Blue Sky, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight brands.
Recently MacDougall has led creative strategy and production of music for Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar since 2005. As EVP, Music, for Disney Animation and Pixar, MacDougall worked directly with filmmakers – from concept through storyboarding, production reels to final film – selecting the best composers, songwriters, and performers for Disney’s animated releases including signing Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez to Frozen, who went on to win two Oscars for their songwriting on Frozen and Coco, and a pre-Hamilton Lin-Manuel Miranda to Moana. MacDougall joined Disney in 1993 in Buena Vista International’s character voices department and moved to Disney’s feature animation division in 1995.
Working on Frozen 2
Below, I found a clip of MacDougall speaking about the music of Frozen 2.
And, here’s an interesting note, MacDougall had the idea to bring AURORA in as the voice of The Voice:
MacDougall’s impression changed the sound of the sequel.
They sent me her music and I was instantly transfixed. One thing I’m constantly on the hunt for is new, fresh and interesting voices that also have something grounded in the familiar. AURORA is clearly a new and important voice in music, but she is grounded in pure emotion which is fuel for films.
And of the reaction from the crew of Frozen 2 MusicNorway.com explained:
In November 2016 MacDougall hosted AURORA for a live showcase at the Disney Animation Building in Burbank, which was the introduction of her work to the studio. Based on her performance and connection she made with the creative there, he pitched her for the Frozen 2 team, which he says was an easy sell as already loved her.
We Like The Sound Of This
Obviously, that call was a good one. And, from the record, this was an easy call for Disney.