Our alumni continue to inspire us. Naomi Tominaga has been elevating digital marketing in the music industry by combining strategic, data-driven insights with creative storytelling. Her approach leverages analytics to serve creativity, using both to deepen the connection between artists and their audience. The result is a remarkable journey that spreads the distinctive imprint of a Hult graduate.

From bedtime tales to the mainstream

Coming from a multicultural background with Brazilian, Lebanese, and Japanese roots, Naomi Tominaga’s earliest memories are steeped in music. Her grandmother, Helly Anne Caram—one of Brazil’s most celebrated classical pianists and opera singers—introduced her to Debussy and Chopin and the enchanting opera stories of Turandot and Carmen, often told as bedtime tales. Those early experiences taught Naomi to see music as a powerful form of connection—a belief that still fuels her work today.

Despite her family’s deep musical roots, none of her immediate relatives worked “in the industry.” Naomi’s first significant project came when she was 19, coordinating a partnership project between Apple Music and Sony Music. She supported the production side of a series of mini-documentaries featuring iconic Brazilian artists such as Gilberto Gil, Dinho Ouro Preto, Pablo Vittar, and Rashid. The teasers were featured on Apple Music and counted on Gilberto Gil walking through the story of Brazilian Popular Music (MPB) by introducing the “Clube MPB” playlist. It also brought in Dinho Ouro Preto, former lead vocalist of Capital Inicial, who shared the creative process behind hits like “Natasha,” “Fogo,” and “O Passageiro,” which together have surpassed 376 million streams. That experience made it clear that her calling wasn’t to be on stage but to build strategies to support artists connecting with their crowd. As she looked ahead to navigating influential boardrooms, pitching innovative ideas, and presenting herself in high-stakes environments, Naomi turned to Hult.

Finding her voice at Hult

After beginning her academic journey in Brazil, Naomi transferred to Hult’s Boston campus, earning scholarships recognizing her leadership skills. Her time at Hult was marked by hands-on experience, multicultural immersion, and developing key business skills—from persuasive communication to agile problem-solving. Early on, Naomi shared that she was shy to ask questions or speak up in class and was often hesitant to share her perspective. However, Hult’s challenging and collaborative environment pushed her out of her comfort zone. Through presentations, team projects, and open classroom discussions, she developed confidence not only in her ideas but also in her voice.

What began as a fear of public speaking became one of her greatest assets. Today, Naomi mentions she is never shy about introducing herself, identifying a client’s core needs, and recommending solutions with clarity and conviction. That shift from quiet observer to strategic communicator became the foundation of how she builds trust and drives impact throughout her journey.

Climbing the ladder

Since that first breakthrough project in Brazil, Naomi has built a dynamic career in the US, working with some of the most recognized names in Latin music. Her work focuses on helping artists grow their audience and deepen their connection with fans, leading impactful campaigns for global stars such as Maluma, Karol G, J Balvin, Wisin, Tito El Bambino, FloyyMenor, Morat, Emilia Mernes, Prince Royce, Beele, Justin Quiles, and Eladio Carrión.

Naomi’s expertise spans content strategy, paid media, influencer marketing, playlisting, and audience development—all aimed at scaling artists’ careers on a global level. Some notable projects include Maluma’s new era, “+ Pretty, + Dirty,” launched with the single “Cosas Pendientes” and Karol G’s “+57,” released alongside Colombia’s biggest stars, which achieved over 180 million streams; and Beele’s hit “Mi Refe,” which surpassed 211 million plays on Spotify. Her strategic vision continues to position her as a rising force in the industry.

Where she is now?

Today, Naomi is a Market Lead at Ranked Music, a Miami-based digital marketing agency focused on serving the music industry’s needs. She develops and executes global campaigns for major labels, including Interscope, Rimas, Warner Music Latina, Sony Music Latin, and Universal. Blending creative storytelling with data-driven insights, she collaborates closely with the Ranked team to deliver campaigns that amplify artists’ voices, strengthen fan engagement, and drive measurable results across global markets.

Having worked at the intersection of culture, strategy, and innovation, Naomi is well-prepared for whatever comes next. With her growing impact, her next chapter promises to be just as strong as the path she’s already forged.