Tony Michaelides

Tony Michaelides is a British former music industry executive, known for working as a promotions executive in the music industry handling radio and TV promotions for over 30 years. In 1980, Michaelides was responsible for arranging the first televised performance outside of Ireland by U2. His clients have included U2, The Police, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, The Stone Roses, Bob Marley, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, New Order, Bryan Adams, Dave Matthews, The Carpenters, Matchbox Twenty, Pixies, Take That, and many more.

In 1981, Michaelides returned to Island Records to head their Regional Department, including artist development and radio and television promotions for artists like Bob Marley, Grace Jones, and Stevie Winwood. One of Michaelides's first projects when returning to Island was developing the newly signed U2, beginning with their debut album, "Boy," through the multi-platinum release, "The Unforgettable Fire." This was also one of Island Records' most successful periods ever, with releases from artists such as U2, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Welcome to the Pleasuredome," and Bob Marley’s album, "Legend," which topped the UK album chart for 12 weeks, remaining on the UK chart for a total of 265 weeks. It is the best-selling reggae album of all time, with 13.5 million platinum in the US and sales of 25 million copies.

Michaelides joined Magic Leap, a U.S.-based multimedia augmented reality company, where he works as "Chief Evangelist," utilizing his experience working with musicians and artists around the world to bring in content as well as promoting the company. Michaelides continues working as an Artist Development Consultant and has become an author. His book, "Insights Collection: Insights From The Engine Room," was published by the Janson Media Group.

With never the threat of retirement, Michaelides takes his stories to corporate America, colleges, and beyond, sharing those insights through public speaking, TEDx talks, and his Moments That Rock podcast, which is also the title of his latest book. He is also releasing a series of e-books centered around his first book, "The Insights Collection, Lessons Learned from Rock and Roll." He also produces and presents his own radio shows, "The Promised Land" on both Fab Radio International and Radio Free Marseilles.

Over numerous decades, Michaelides was the choir architect of fame, bringing artist and audience together through the magic of radio and the pulse of promotion. Now, storyteller, speaker, and author Michaelides shares the wisdom of a life lived backstage, where dreams are tuned, amplified, and set free. He is Manchester’s gift to the world, a curator of culture, a keeper of moments, and a reminder that behind every great artist is someone who believed in the music before the world ever heard it.