“There are a few things that I am proud of in my career — being able to create successful media brands like SLAM and XXL, and having a significant impact on culture, mentoring so many people that have significant careers in media,” Gervino says.  

Early in his career, he co-founded two leading media brand magazines: SLAM, a basketball magazine, and XXL, a hip-hop magazine.  

He currently serves as senior vice president of culture and content at TIDAL, a global music entertainment platform, where he manages the creation of TIDAL’s video series, podcasts, playlists, documentaries and more.  

Prior to TIDAL, Gervino worked as an editor and writer for several successful publications. He served as editor-in-chief of Billboard Magazine, executive editor of Hearst Magazines International, and as a contributing writer and a contributing editor to the New York Times.  

“Without question, the most rewarding aspect [of my career] has been being able to both work at and write for the New York Times,” Gervino says. “It’s a very humbling thing to work at a news organization that takes its responsibility so seriously and where only the best and brightest even get an opportunity. And to have the opportunity, without an Ivy league background, to be able to reach so many people, was pretty incredible.”  

Gervino credits some of his success to his application of leadership characteristics he learned at MMA, including values such as integrity, initiative and tact.  

“It’s funny – so much of what I learned at MMA helped me with my confidence,” Gervino says. “All these years later, I still remember the ‘16 Basic Leadership Characteristics’ that I was taught there and have tried to live by them. And it’s helped quite a bit.” 

MMA is proud to recognize Tony Gervino among our notable alumni.