Justin Timberlake

Professional services

American singer, songwriter, actor, producer, and entrepreneur whose personal brand spans music, entertainment, endorsements, and investments.

Last updated October 7, 2026

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Overview

Justin Timberlake is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer, and entrepreneur. His public brand was built first through mass-market entertainment: he became widely known as a member of the late-1990s and early-2000s boy band *NSYNC before establishing a substantial solo career. His work combines pop, R&B, dance, and funk influences with highly choreographed live performance, music videos, television appearances, and film roles. After *NSYNC entered a hiatus, Timberlake launched his solo career with *Justified* in 2002. The album presented him as a more mature artist and produced internationally successful singles including “Like I Love You,” “Cry Me a River,” and “Rock Your Body.” His second major solo album, *FutureSex/LoveSounds* (2006), expanded his commercial and stylistic identity through tracks such as “SexyBack,” “My Love,” and “What Goes Around... Comes Around.” The project helped position him as a leading crossover performer rather than solely a former boy-band member. Timberlake continued releasing music through albums including *The 20/20 Experience* (2013), *The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2* (2013), *Man of the Woods* (2018), and *Everything I Thought It Was* (2024). His catalog includes pop singles, collaborations, soundtrack work, and material written or performed for film and advertising. He also contributed to the *Trolls* film franchise, including the song “Can't Stop the Feeling!”, which became one of his most recognizable post-2010 hits. As an actor, Timberlake has appeared in films including *The Social Network*, where he played Sean Parker, *Friends with Benefits*, *In Time*, *Bad Teacher*, and the *Trolls* series. He has also been associated with *Saturday Night Live* through frequent hosting and musical appearances. These activities strengthened a brand identity based on versatility, comic timing, dance performance, fashion visibility, and the ability to move between music, film, television, and advertising. His commercial activity has included fashion, beverages, audio technology, social media, hospitality, sports, and startup investing. Timberlake co-founded the William Rast clothing line, became involved with Myspace during its ownership by Specific Media, and was reported as a co-owner of AfterMaster, an audio-technology company. In 2016, Bai Brands named him an investor and its first Chief Flavor Officer, giving him a role in flavor development, product launches, and marketing. He has also held a creative-director role with Callaway Golf and participated in campaigns for brands including McDonald's, Sony, Audi, and Louis Vuitton. The Timberlake brand therefore operates less like a conventional packaged-goods trademark and more like a personal entertainment platform. Its value comes from audience reach, cultural recognition, creative participation, endorsements, and the transfer of celebrity credibility into products and companies. His music catalog was reported to have been sold to Hipgnosis Songs Capital in 2022, a transaction that illustrates the financial and strategic importance of his recorded and published works. Timberlake remains an active public figure, although the status of individual investments, partnerships, and commercial appointments can change over time.

History

Justin Timberlake's professional identity developed through several successive stages. He first gained national visibility as a child performer and later became a member of *NSYNC, one of the commercially prominent pop groups of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The group's success established Timberlake as a recognizable singer and performer, while its hiatus created the opportunity for him to pursue an independent artistic direction. His first solo album, *Justified*, was released in 2002. Produced in part with collaborators including The Neptunes and Timbaland, it moved Timberlake toward contemporary R&B and a more adult pop presentation. The album's singles helped separate his solo persona from his boy-band history. During this period, manager Johnny Wright was associated with the development of Timberlake's solo career. *FutureSex/LoveSounds*, released in 2006, became a major turning point. Its electronic production, rhythmic experimentation, and visual presentation broadened Timberlake's profile internationally. “SexyBack,” “My Love,” and “What Goes Around... Comes Around” reinforced his position as a headline solo artist and an influential crossover performer. His music career increasingly incorporated elaborate dance routines, large-scale touring, fashion, and multimedia promotion. Timberlake simultaneously expanded into acting and television. His film work included roles in *Alpha Dog*, *The Social Network*, *Bad Teacher*, *In Time*, and *Friends with Benefits*. His portrayal of Sean Parker in *The Social Network* was particularly visible and helped establish him as a credible mainstream film performer. Repeated appearances on *Saturday Night Live* also made comedy and sketch performance important elements of his public image. In 2013, he returned to major album-release activity with *The 20/20 Experience* and its follow-up volume. These releases emphasized longer-form arrangements, polished production, and a mature performance style. In the same broad period, he continued to combine music with film, including vocal and acting work associated with the *Trolls* franchise. “Can't Stop the Feeling!” became a major soundtrack success and extended his reach to family entertainment. The commercial side of Timberlake's brand became more visible during the 2000s and 2010s. He co-founded the William Rast fashion label and participated in a range of investments and partnerships. He was connected with Myspace after its acquisition by Specific Media and was reported as a co-owner of AfterMaster, an audio-technology company. These activities reflected an effort to apply his interests in fashion, technology, media, and sound beyond recorded music. Endorsements and creative partnerships have been another important part of his business profile. McDonald's used his vocals in the launch of the global “I'm Lovin' It” platform in 2003. Sony used him in a broad electronics campaign in 2009, and Audi selected him for digital advertising supporting the A1 in Europe. Callaway Golf named him creative director in 2011, giving him a role in shaping a campaign intended to reach younger consumers. In 2016, Bai Brands brought him in as an investor and Chief Flavor Officer, involving him in flavor development and marketing. In 2017, he appeared in a national Bai Super Bowl commercial. Timberlake continued releasing music with *Man of the Woods* in 2018 and *Everything I Thought It Was* in 2024. His catalog also became an investable asset. Hipgnosis Songs Capital was reported to have acquired rights associated with his catalog in 2022. The transaction illustrates the evolution of successful performers' intellectual property from a collection of recordings into a financial and rights-management asset. By the 2020s, Timberlake's brand was best understood as a portfolio of entertainment and commercial activities rather than a single product line. Music remains its core, but the surrounding platform includes acting, live performance, advertising, fashion, consumer products, technology, sports-related interests, and startup investment. Because many ventures are partnerships or private investments, their continuing ownership and operating status require case-by-case verification.

2024
Released Everything I Thought It Was
[12]Released Everything I Thought It Wasen.wikipedia.org
Timberlake issued his sixth studio album, continuing his recorded-music career.
2023
Appeared in a Louis Vuitton campaign
[6]Justin Timberlake Appears in First Louis Vuitton Campaignwwd.com
Timberlake appeared in advertising for Louis Vuitton's Yayoi Kusama collaboration as a friend of the house.
2022
Reported catalog rights transaction with Hipgnosis
[7]Hipgnosis Songs Capital's Acquisition of Justin Timberlake's Music Cataloguemergersight.com
Hipgnosis Songs Capital was reported to have acquired rights connected with Timberlake's music catalog.
2016
Joined Bai Brands
[2]Bai Brands Announces Justin Timberlake as Chief Flavor Officerprnewswire.com
Bai announced Timberlake as an investor and its first Chief Flavor Officer.
2016
Released Can't Stop the Feeling!
[11]Released Can't Stop the Feeling!en.wikipedia.org
The song, associated with the Trolls soundtrack, became a major family-entertainment and pop success.
2013
Released The 20/20 Experience
[10]Released The 20/20 Experienceen.wikipedia.org
The album marked a high-profile return to studio music and was followed by a second volume later that year.
2011
Named Callaway creative director
[4]Justin Timberlake, Golf Equipment Maker Callaway to Launch New Ad Campaignhollywoodreporter.com
Callaway added Timberlake to a creative role intended to broaden the golf brand's appeal.
2006
Released FutureSex/LoveSounds
[9]Released FutureSex/LoveSoundsen.wikipedia.org
The album's electronic and R&B production and major singles significantly expanded Timberlake's solo stature.
2003
Contributed to McDonald's I'm Lovin' It launch
[5]The Contentious Tale of the McDonald's I'm Lovin' It Jinglepitchfork.com
Timberlake's vocals helped introduce McDonald's globally coordinated slogan and audio identity.
2002
Released Justified
[8]Released Justifieden.wikipedia.org
His debut solo album established a distinct pop and R&B identity after *NSYNC's hiatus.
1995
Joined *NSYNC
[1]Justin Timberlakeen.wikipedia.org
Timberlake joined the vocal group that would become *NSYNC, beginning the period that made him internationally known.
1990
Joined The Mickey Mouse Club
[1]Justin Timberlakeen.wikipedia.org
Timberlake became a cast member of the television program The Mickey Mouse Club, an early professional platform that also included several later entertainment figures.

Products and positioning

A globally recognized multi-hyphenate entertainment personality positioned at the intersection of pop music, performance, film, fashion, advertising, and consumer investment.

Music album · 2002
Justified
Timberlake's 2002 debut solo album. It established a polished pop and contemporary R&B direction and included the singles “Like I Love You,” “Cry Me a River,” and “Rock Your Body.” The project was central to his transition from *NSYNC member to independent recording artist.
Music album · 2006
FutureSex/LoveSounds
The 2006 album that consolidated Timberlake's solo identity. Its electronic, pop, and R&B production supported internationally prominent songs including “SexyBack,” “My Love,” and “What Goes Around... Comes Around,” while its visual and performance style reinforced his image as a major crossover entertainer.
Music album series · 2013
The 20/20 Experience
A two-part 2013 album project that marked Timberlake's high-profile return to major studio releases. The music favored extended arrangements, sophisticated production, and a mature R&B-pop presentation. The first volume and its follow-up were released as separate projects during the same year.
Film and soundtrack franchise · 2016
Trolls
Timberlake voiced Branch and contributed music to DreamWorks Animation's Trolls films. The franchise broadened his audience through family entertainment, while “Can't Stop the Feeling!” became a prominent standalone hit connected with the first film.
Fashion label
William Rast
A clothing label co-founded by Timberlake. The venture extended his public image into denim and lifestyle fashion and represented one of his earliest prominent commercial activities outside music and acting.
Non-alcoholic beverages · 2016
Bai
Bai produces flavored beverages, including Bai and Bai Bubbles lines. Timberlake joined as an investor and Chief Flavor Officer in 2016, with a stated role in flavor innovation, product launches, campaigns, and digital content.
Music album · 2024
Everything I Thought It Was
A 2024 studio album that continued Timberlake's solo recording career and added a later chapter to a catalog spanning pop, R&B, dance, and collaborative material.

Marketing campaigns

2023Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama
International
Timberlake appeared alongside Cate Blanchett, Naomi Osaka, Hoyeon Jung, Léa Seydoux, and Zhou Dongyu in advertising for Louis Vuitton's collaboration with Yayoi Kusama.
Outcome. Louis Vuitton characterized Timberlake as a friend of the house rather than an official brand ambassador.
Source
2017Bai Super Bowl campaign
United States
Bai used Timberlake in a national Super Bowl commercial following an earlier regional spot. The campaign drew on his investor and Chief Flavor Officer role and involved him in the creative process.
Outcome. Bai stated that the earlier commercial had increased brand awareness and engagement and used the national placement to extend the effort.
Source
2012Callaway Golf younger-audience campaign
United States
Timberlake helped develop an entertainment-oriented Callaway campaign featuring professional golfers performing dramatic shots around the Las Vegas Strip. He helped shape the concept but did not appear in the commercials.
Outcome. The campaign was designed to make the golf-equipment brand more relevant to consumers younger than its average customer.
Source
2009Sony electronics holiday campaign
United States
Sony presented Timberlake, Peyton Manning, Erin Andrews, and other public figures as a humorous panel of product experts across television, online, radio, print, retail, and Sony's web store.
Outcome. The campaign sought to stimulate holiday electronics demand and direct shoppers toward Sony product categories.
Source
2009Audi A1 digital campaign
Europe
Audi selected Timberlake for an internet advertising campaign intended to introduce the compact A1 to younger consumers.
Source
2003McDonald's I'm Lovin' It
Global
Timberlake provided vocals for the launch of McDonald's globally coordinated advertising platform built around the I'm Lovin' It slogan and its recognizable musical hook.
Outcome. The slogan became one of McDonald's longest-running marketing platforms.
Source

Brand decisions

2022
Sold reported rights in music catalog to Hipgnosis Songs CapitalM&A
Background
Successful music catalogs have increasingly been treated as long-term intellectual-property assets that can be acquired by specialist rights companies.
Action taken
Hipgnosis Songs Capital was reported to have acquired rights associated with Timberlake's catalog, including works from approximately two decades of his career.
Aftermath
The transaction transferred catalog ownership or control to a specialist music-rights investor; the precise scope of rights should be checked against primary transaction documentation.
Reported transaction value. $100 million (Closed May 26, 2022; reported in 2023)
Source
2016
Invested in Bai and accepted Chief Flavor Officer roleStrategy
Background
Bai sought to connect its better-for-you beverage positioning with a recognizable consumer advocate who was already familiar with the products.
Action taken
Timberlake invested in Bai Brands and agreed to work with its executive team on flavors, launches, advertising, and digital content.
Aftermath
He appeared in subsequent Bai marketing, including a national Super Bowl campaign in 2017. The amount of his investment was not disclosed.
Source

Sources14 sources

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