Philip Michael Quartararo (born January 7, 1956) is an American music industry executive. He is currently President and Chairman at The Hello Group, and has held positions as CEO at Virgin Records, Warner Bros. Records and EMI, and has been involved in the careers of recording artists ranging from Linkin Park to Josh Groban to the Spice Girls. Quartararo is known as a defender of artist rights. He has spoken out on the fight against music piracy and the need to restore the value of music. Quartararo is regarded as one of the most promotion-minded executives in the music business and is regarded as a thought leader on the subject of partnership between brands and artists. Biography Early life Quartararo was born in Brooklyn, New York. His work in the music business began at an early age, booking music acts out of his bedroom while he was still in high school. He attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York where he booked the sockhop bands. He attended Syracuse University where his college roommates were John Sykes and Rob Light. Sykes went on to become co-founder of MTV and VH1 Cable Networks as well as holding senior positions at record labels and radio broadcast networks. Light went on to become managing partner and head of music for CAA. Quartararo began his career in the record industry as a local radio promotion manager for A&M Records from 1977 to 1981. He moved on to become a regional promotion manager for RCA Records from 1981 to 1983. His executive breakthrough came when he was hired as Senior VP Promotion and Marketing for Island Records from 1982 to 1986 where he was instrumental in breaking U2 in America. Virgin Records America In 1986 Quartararo was recruited by Richard Branson as part of the team to launch Virgin Records America along with executives, Jordan Harris and Jeff Ayeroff. In 1992 he became President and CEO of Virgin Records America. At Virgin he was influential in the recording careers of Smashing Pumpkins, Lenny Kravitz, Paula Abdul, After 7, Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson and Ben Harper. He is credited with the marketing blitz that launched the Spice Girls in the U.S., the success of which brought him to the attention of Warner Bros. Records. Warner Bros. Records In 1997, Quartararo was recruited as President Warner Bros. Records which was ranked #1 out of world’s largest record