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Jason Flom

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Jason Flom
Jason Flom with Lorde, 2013
Born (1961-02-17) February 17, 1961 (age 65)
New York City, New York
OccupationsMusic industry executive, podcaster, philanthropist
Spouses
  • Wendy Berry
    ​
    (divorced)​
  • Khaliah Ali
    ​
    (m. 2024)​
Children2
FatherJoseph Flom

Jason Flom (born February 17, 1961) is an American music industry executive, podcaster and philanthropist. He is the founder of Lava Records, and previously served as the chairman of Atlantic Records, Virgin Records and Capitol Music Group. He is also known for his advocacy on behalf of individuals who have been wrongfully convicted.[1]

Career

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Early Career and Atlantic Records

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In 1979, while a college freshman at New York University, Flom got a job as a trainee field merchandiser at Atlantic Records hanging posters in record stores.[2] In 1981, he moved to the sales research team and, in 1983, into Atlantic's A&R department.[2] At 20, Flom departed NYU to work full-time at Atlantic. Bands he signed at the time included Skid Row and Stone Temple Pilots.[3]

Lava Records

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In 1995, Flom launched Lava Records in partnership with Atlantic Records.[4]

In 2004, Flom sold Lava Records to Atlantic Records Group, where he was named chairman and CEO.[5] Flom was named chairman and CEO of Virgin Records in 2005. In 2007, after Capitol Records merged with Virgin Records, Capitol Music Group was created, where he was named chairman and CEO.[6] In 2007 he signed Katy Perry.[7] In 2008, Flom left Capitol Music Group to re-launch his own Lava Records label, this time in partnership with Universal Music Group's Republic Records.[8] In 2013, Flom signed Lorde to Lava, which released her debut single, "Royals."[9]

Flom founded Lava Publishing in 2014, which has published writing from Maty Noyes,[10] and Greta Van Fleet. He also founded Lava Media with Jeff Kempler, a multimedia company encompassing recorded music, publishing, and podcasting ventures.[11]

Notable A&R/production acts

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Personal life

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Flom is the son of Joseph Flom (1923–⁠2011), a lawyer and partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and Claire Flom (1924–⁠2007), a philanthropist who co-founded the Gateway School.[12]

Flom's first marriage was to Wendy Berry. They had two children, Allison and Michael.[13] On October 6, 2024, Flom married Khaliah Ali, a daughter of Muhammad Ali, in Southampton, New York.[14]

Flom has said that his interest in criminal justice was influenced in part by his own experiences with substance abuse and his awareness of disparities in how similar cases are treated.[15][16]

Criminal justice advocacy

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In 1993, he joined the board of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) and soon after became a founding board member of the Innocence Project.[17] Inspired by his work with the Innocence Project, Flom launched the podcast Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom in 2016. The podcast features interviews with men and women who have spent time in prison for crimes evidence shows they did not commit as well as prominent attorneys, activists, advocates and experts.[18][19]

Notable guests on the podcast include Kim Kardashian,[20] John Grisham,[21] Meek Mill,[22] Amanda Knox, Raymond Santana,[23] Brendan Dassey,[24] and Rodney Reed,[25] among others. The podcast reached #7 on the iTunes charts within its first 2 weeks of release, and has since been downloaded over 50 million times.[26][27]

Flom has served on the board of the Drug Policy Alliance and has successfully advocated for criminal justice reform, including efforts related to clemency grants from various Governors and for nonviolent drug offenders during the administrations of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.[28] Flom also sits on the board of directors of the Legal Action Center, which uses legal and policy strategies to fight discrimination, build health equity, and restore opportunity for people with criminal records, substance use disorders, and HIV or AIDS.[29] He also serves as a board member of Injustice Watch and The Frederick Douglass Project For Justice.[30][31]

Lava for Good

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In 2018, Flom founded Lava for Good. Its podcast series are hosted by human rights and justice experts, activists, attorneys, journalists, as well as formerly incarcerated persons. The Lava for Good lineup includes Wrongful Conviction,[32] Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng,[33] Righteous Convictions with Jason Flom, Bone Valley,[34] Erased: The Murder of Elma Sands with Allison Williams[35],The War on Drugs,[36] False Confessions,[37] Earwitness,[38] Absolute,[39] as well as Junk Science.[40]

Lava for Good’s podcast network has been credited with influencing numerous exonerations, clemencies, pardons, and criminal justice reform efforts.[41] The first season of “Bone Valley” focused on the case of Leo Schofield, who was granted parole in 2024 after more than 36 years of incarceration.[42]

Podcasts produced by Lava for Good have received recognition from organizations including the Ambie Awards, Signal Awards, and Webby Awards.[43][44][45][46][47] In 2021, Lava for Good received a Webby Award in the Crime & Justice category for Wrongful Conviction: False Confessions.[48] In 2022, Lava for Good won a Silver Anthem Award for Human & Civil Rights - Best Strategy.[49] Wrongful Conviction and Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng were honored with Silver and Bronze/Listener's Choice Awards,[50] respectively, at the first inaugural Signal Awards announced in January 2023. In 2024, Lava for Good was named Podcast Network of the Year by Adweek.[51][52]

Awards

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  • 1999 - Torch of Liberty Award, American Civil Liberties Union[53]
  • 2000 - Music Visionary of the Year, UJA Federation[54]
  • 2004 - Social Justice Award, Correctional Association of New York
  • 2005 - Humanitarian Award, T.J. Martell Foundation
  • 2008 - Partner in Pursuit of Justice, Bronx Defenders; Ambassador Award, City of Hope[55]
  • 2009 - Award for Freedom and Justice, Innocence Project[56]
  • 2014 - Spirit of Life Award, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation[57]
  • 2017 - Honored by the Innocence Project of New Orleans[58]
  • 2022 - Clio Music Impact Award, Clio Awards[59]
  • 2023 - Lifetime Achievement Award, Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards[60]

Children's media and publishing

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In 2018, Flom co-wrote the children's book ''Lulu Is a Rhinoceros'' with his daughter Allison Flom. The book follows a bulldog named Lulu who identifies as a rhinoceros.[61]

The book was later adapted into an animated musical special for Apple TV+, starring Auli'i Cravalho as the voice of Lulu, which premiered globally on May 30, 2025.[62]

References

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  1. ^ "A Record Exec's Crusade for Justice". Rolling Stone. 7 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Flom Renews Atlantic Pact as Lava Remains Red-Hot". Business Wire. New York, NY: 1. 1 June 1999.
  3. ^ Wild, David (19 September 1991). "Skid Row: Pretty Bad Boys". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  4. ^ "History of Elektra Entertainment Group – FundingUniverse". www.fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  5. ^ Gallo, Phil (1 April 2004). "Flom flows to Atlantic post". Variety. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  6. ^ Leeds, Jeff (26 January 2007). "EMI Merging Record Labels and Ousting Capitol's President". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Katy Perry on the Cover of PAPER in 2009". PAPER. 30 March 2009. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. ^ "LAVA Records Renews Partnership with Republic Records". www.businesswire.com. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  9. ^ "From Lorde to Jessie J, the Hits Keep Coming for A&R Superstar Jason Flom". Observer. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Kobalt, Jason Flom Deal for Lava Music Publishing". Music Connection Magazine. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Lava Media". Primary Wave Music. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  12. ^ "Flom, Claire (nee Cohen)". The New York Times. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  13. ^ Johnson, Richard (10 March 2019). "Jason and Wendy Flom are still not divorced". Page Six. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  14. ^ Clack, Erin (8 October 2024). "Muhammad Ali's Daughter Khaliah Ali Marries Jason Flom in 'French Country' Wedding in the Hamptons! (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  15. ^ Limbong, Andrew (20 October 2020). "Jason Flom, The Music Executive With An Ear For Injustice". NPR. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  16. ^ Flom, Jason (25 June 2018). Why I Care About Criminal Injustice. Retrieved 9 April 2026 – via www.ted.com.
  17. ^ Petronzio, Matt (4 October 2016). "Meet the millionaire music executive helping the wrongfully convicted". Mashable. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom | Lava for Good Podcasts". Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  19. ^ "Board Member Jason Flom Premieres Podcast on Wrongful Convictions". Innocence Project. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  20. ^ Barchenger, Cydney Henderson and Stacey. "Kim Kardashian returns to the White House to make the case for another convict's release". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  21. ^ "For a convicted double murderer long on famous supporters, basic detective work could be key - The Washington Post". The Washington Post. 22 April 2019. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  22. ^ "Meek Mill Talks Criminal Justice System On 'Wrongful Conviction' Podcast". Vibe. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  23. ^ Gell, Aaron (21 November 2016). "How a Music Mogul Became a Powerful Voice for the Wrongfully Convicted". The Vindicated. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  24. ^ "Kim Kardashian West speaks out in favor of 'Making a Murderer' subject Brendan Dassey". ABC7 San Francisco. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  25. ^ "'Wrongful Conviction' Podcast Visits Rodney Reed on Death Row as He Awaits a Stay of Execution". Fortune. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  26. ^ Gell, Aaron (21 November 2016). "How a Music Mogul Became a Powerful Voice for the Wrongfully Convicted". The Vindicated. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  27. ^ Good, Lava for (9 December 2024). "Wrongful Conviction Marks its 500th Episode with Stacy Larson's Harrowing Fight for Freedom". podnews.net. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  28. ^ "From Music Exec to Criminal Justice Reformer". Prisons and Justice Initiative. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  29. ^ "Jason Flom", Wikipedia, 15 April 2026, retrieved 21 April 2026
  30. ^ "Supporters". Injustice Watch. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  31. ^ "Jason Flom". The Frederick Douglass Project for Justice. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  32. ^ America, JOCE STERMAN and ALEX BRAUER | Spotlight on (2 May 2022). "Exec who launched stars like Katy Perry and Kid Rock is now helping free the innocent". WPDE. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  33. ^ Peukert, Amanda (2 May 2022). "Maggie Freleng's New Podcast Aims to Exonerate". SPIN. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  34. ^ Quah, Nicholas (13 December 2022). "The Best True-Crime Podcasts of 2022". Vulture. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Erased: The Murder of Elma Sands". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  36. ^ Ho, Rodney. "Atlanta comic, actor Clayton English digs into history and fallacies of 'The War on Drugs' in new podcast". Georgia Entertainment Scene Blog (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  37. ^ "Podcast Featuring Making a Murderer Lawyers Asks: Why Would an Innocent Person Confess to a Crime?". Peoplemag. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Earwitness". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  39. ^ "Absolute". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  40. ^ "NEW: Wrongful Conviction: Junk Science". Podcast Business Journal. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Entry". Anthem Awards. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  42. ^ Tumin, Remy (17 April 2024). "'Bone Valley' Podcast Subject Is Granted Parole 37 Years After Wife's Murder". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  43. ^ Webby, Elizabeth (22 July 2015). "Literary awards and Joan London's The Golden Age". doi.org. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  44. ^ Dibdin, Emma (27 July 2025). "5 Podcasts That Illustrate the Ungraspable Nature of Justice". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  45. ^ BASIC®. "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  46. ^ "Bone Valley Season 3 Exposes How the State of Kentucky and Citizen Investigators Wrongfully Convicted Six People". podnews.net. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  47. ^ "2026 WINNERS". The Ambies® — Awards for Excellence in Audio. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  48. ^ BASIC®. "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  49. ^ "Entry". Anthem Awards. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  50. ^ "Signal Award Winner". Signal Awards. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  51. ^ Good, Lava for (28 October 2024). "Jason Flom & Khaliah Ali Are Honored With Visionary Leadership & Impact Award at the YA 2024 National Benefit Gala". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  52. ^ "Jason Flom". United Justice Coalition. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  53. ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 17 July 1999.
  54. ^ Staff, Variety (12 June 2000). "Bizzers flow to Lava prez". Variety. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  55. ^ "Advisors". United Justice Coalition. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  56. ^ "From Music Exec to Criminal Justice Reformer". Prisons and Justice Initiative. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  57. ^ Bacardi, Francesca (28 July 2014). "Russell Simmons Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Art for Life Benefit". Variety. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  58. ^ Strachan, Sue (21 June 2017). "Innocence Project New Orleans honors five at 16th Anniversary Gala". NOLA.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  59. ^ Willman, Chris (12 May 2022). "Clio Music Awards Honor Jason Flom, Mary J. Blige, Sandy Hook/'Teenage Dream' Spot and More in Nashville Ceremony". Variety. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  60. ^ "Past Awardees - 2023 - Muhammad Ali Center". alicenter.org. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  61. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (16 April 2025). "Apple TV+ Unleashes 'Lulu Is a Rhinoceros' Animated Special on May 30". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  62. ^ "Apple TV+ announces "Lulu Is a Rhinoceros," an animated special premiering May 30". Apple TV Press. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
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