Michael Paoletta

Michael Paoletta is Executive Producer, Music Supervision and Licensing, of Comma Music. The music agency works with advertising agencies and brands on all their music needs. Comma’s work—both original and licensed music—is featured in commercials for numerous brands, including McDonald’s, Adidas, Hershey’s, Payless ShoeSource, Meijer, Verizon, and Kellogg’s. Over the years, Paoletta has licensed the music of X Ambassadors, Kate Nash, Cyndi Lauper, The Nobility, Deorro, Demi Lovato, and others.

Prior to joining Comma in 2009, Paoletta spent one year at GMR Entertainment as VP of Marketing, with a focus on brand/band partnerships.

As a journalist and club DJ, Paoletta has been part of the music industry since the 1980s. His byline appeared in numerous publications, including Vibe, Paper, the Advocate, Spin and Out. Additionally, he has written liner notes for several artist retrospectives/compilations, and edited sections of the book, “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music.” Joining Billboard in 1998, Paoletta held down several editorial posts during his ten years at the magazine, including Brand Marketing Editor, Dance/Electronic Music Editor, and Albums Review Editor.

Throughout, Paoletta has been interviewed on numerous networks, including NBC, CBS, VH1, and the BBC—as well as been quoted in such publications as the New York Times and New York magazine—offering insight and knowledge on pop culture. Most recently, he was featured on NPR All Things Considered discussing music in advertising. Paoletta is also a voting member of the Recording Academy, the organization responsible for the annual Grammy Awards.