UNCASVILLE, CT (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Mohegan Sun announced today that Tom Cantone has been hired as Vice President, Sports & Entertainment, effective April 23, 2007. In his new role, Cantone will oversee the sports and entertainment bookings at Mohegan Sun's three entertainment venues – Mohegan Sun Arena, The Cabaret Theatre and Wolf Den.
A graduate of Penn State University, Cantone brings more than 25 years of experience in the gaming, entertainment and hospitality industries to Mohegan Sun. He most recently served as Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, where he was responsible for entertainment and marketing initiatives including tournaments, sweepstakes, promotions and brand loyalty programs.
Tom began his career and rose rapidly up the corporate ladder at the Hershey Entertainment and Resort Company, winding up as director of corporate marketing for all of Hershey's 16 operating divisions including its sports, entertainment, theme park and resort hotels. During the 70's, its theme park ranked among the top 10 attractions in the country.
Atlantic City's reemergence in the early 80's as the nation's top tourist and gaming mecca prompted the Sands Hotel and Casino to recruit Tom as its vice president in charge of entertainment, promotions, advertising, public relations, bus and slot marketing operations. By ushering in a new wave of stars and attractions, Tom was widely credited for changing the face of Atlantic City's traditional marketing. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that his originality produced "The best shows ever staged". The Philadelphia Inquirer called him "The most innovative…", and Philadelphia Business Magazine credited him for "Revolutionizing casino entertainment and bringing it into a new era."
The new era in the mid 80's gave rise to developer Donald Trump, who recruited Tom for his top-spot as corporate vice president of entertainment for all three Trump properties: Taj Mahal, Trump Plaza and Trump Marina. Tom's use of television, major events, promotions and timely bookings propelled him into the national scene as one of the most successful and respected entertainment executives. The Philadelphia Daily News called him, "The most influential booker of talent in the U.S.".
Tom served as vice president of studio and retail marketing for Dallas-based Hollywood Casino Corp. and its properties in the Chicago and Memphis markets. In addition to his corporate role, he also was named vice president of the Sands as part of their Atlantic City holdings. He formed strategic alliances with corporate sponsors, which The Wall Street Journal called "a coup", and launched a new joint retail merchandising venture with Hollywood's top studios that Video Business Magazine called "astounding".
ICM agent Steve Levine told CelebrityAccess, "I've worked with Tom almost my entire career and he's always the same. Professional, reliable, and his word is his bond. I've never hesitated in bringing him top talent, as he really knows how to treat stars."
Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, recruited Tom in 1998 to join its senior management team as vice president of Foxwoods Entertainment Group. At Foxwoods, Tom directed the country's largest casino entertainment operation, which including the 1,400-seat Fox Theatre for headliners and boxing (opened by Frank Sinatra), B.B. King Nite Club, B.B. King Dance Club, Intermezzo Nite Club and Atrium Nite Club, and the 4,000-seat Fox Arena. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
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