Biography
With a career spanning more than 25 years in the music industry, Tony Monte understood the challenges colliding with the business in the early 2000s, which became his crossroad. As a senior executive at RCA Records and Capitol Records, he worked closely with countless artists, among them Christina Aguilera, NSYNC, Tyrese and Coldplay, along with Paul McCartney, George Michael and Mariah Carey independently. He later applied his understanding of the medium, its artists, trends, audience, execution, marketing and promotion, to re-enter the world of entrepreneurship.
Drawing from years of creativity, his artistic background became a source of inspiration for Monte's newly formed MELONTE PARTNERS. With tech executive and stylist Melinda Martinez (the Mel in MELONTE.) He then created and launched New Music Director (NMD) an Inside The Actors Studio inspired web series, produced solely with recording artists and bands. NMD became America's 1st syndicated video show...for radio. Monte single handedly built a national network, consisting of commercial radio station websites, encompassing more than 70 US markets to air NMD...which soon found its way to TV sites. Multi-platinum and cornerstone artists including Kendrick Lamar, Buddy Guy, Cypress Hill, Three Days Grace, Jordin Sparks, and Kirk Franklin, connected with millions of existing fans and also gained new followers via the New Music Director concept and platform.
Expanding to television with Tribune Broadcasting and CW Network flagship station PIX 11 (WPIX), NMD became a valuable component for its digital initiatives, launching Tony's new career in television. Once PIX 11's General Manager saw how NMD impacted the station's online audience, he "green-lit" Monte's concept for the 1st broadcast TV program combining Celebrities & Food. In November of 2012, Celebrity Taste Makers debuted on PIX 11.
Monte became one of the only independent producers to have a regularly scheduled show on broadcast television in the world's #1 media market...and own the content. Celebrity Taste Makers is also the 1st broadcast TV lifestyle series to regularly film in a vehicle...which is now commonplace. Approaching 100 episodes and over 250 broadcasts, Celebrity Taste Makers was nominated for a New York Emmy Award (2016) in the Interview/Discussion category for its episode with award winning actor Chazz Palminteri. The show is being considered for national distribution in the US and international licensing worldwide.
Moving forward, Monte struck a friendship with Emmy winning News Anchor and renowned journalist Ernie Anastos, leading to a partnership in the development and production of Ernie Anastos In New York. This weekly lifestyle/magazine TV show, airs on broadcast channels FOX 5 (WYNY) and MY 9 (WWOR)...in the world's #1 market.
Monte initiated and developed relationships with Fortune 500 Company executives and independent business people, integrating their brands with his productions. The shows he created are owned, solely by MELONTE PARTNERS...and are 100% self financed.
Tony has 4 projects in development and a movie concept based on a fictional character that takes place in the Jersey City neighborhood he grew up in. The fingerprint of that neighborhood and the values instilled by his parents Tony and Angelina, are a reflection of Monte's work and work ethic. Treating people properly and respecting everyone for who they are, is the foundation of how he runs his business and lives his life.
