LINK TO DOWNLOAD PHOTO SELECTS HERE (Credit: Courtesy of SHE Media) *Additional assets available upon request.
The third and final day of the SHE Media Co-Lab at SXSW closed out with Chelsea Handler, who brought humor and unfiltered honesty to the stage. Handler shared a candid mix of personal stories and career reflections, focusing on themes of self-reliance, resilience, and empowerment. She discussed a transformative experience following a career-defining failure and how it shaped her path to success. Handler spoke about her decision to remain childless by choice, loving her body at 50, and the importance of embracing joy despite political turmoil.
The day also featured a powerful panel with Naomi Watts, who spoke about sex, intimacy, and relationship dynamics in midlife, and what led her to create menopause beauty and wellness brand, Stripes. Christy Turlington Burns shared her passion for reproductive rights and improving global maternal health through her organization, Every Mother Counts.
SHEMedia’s three-day activation at SXSW drew over 6,000 visitors, with linesforming outside the venue, highlighting the strong demand for criticalconversations on women’s health. The interest and engagement in these issues atSXSW, renowned for its focus on innovation and cultural impact, underscored thegrowing importance of advocacy for women’s health and marked a pivotal momentfor these discussions on a global stage.
Key Quotes from Chelsea Handler:
On being childless by choice: “People think that sinceI don't want children that I hate them. I don't hate children. …I have a lot of children in my life, and I actually have a lot of bandwidth for children because I don't have my own children. So, if I had my own children, I'd probably be a lot more centered on that, but I'm able to give out a lot, and I'm able to make contributions in a bigger way because of being freed up in that way.”
On self-reliance: “I have enough data to show me I'm the one who got me this far. ‘I've got you,’ like, that's what I say to myself all the time. ‘I've got you.’ And I think for me, it's always staying in touch with kind of the little girl. This is what my book opens with as a chapter to my older self as a younger girl, of the kind of woman that I wanted to become like, how did I see myself being in this world? I wanted to be strong. I wanted to be independent. I didn't want to rely on anyone for my money. I wanted to be someone who stood up for something. …And I wanted to show up for people, and so connecting in a helpful way to that essence of who you are as a child, who you are, before the world shits on you and you get your heart broken and you get disappointed. …It's your job to bring her along the way and make sure you don't forget who you are.”
On an early career disappointment at the Montreal ComedyFestival: “I bombed so badly at the Montreal Comedy Festival the first year I was there, I was like, 27 or 28 years old, I think, … and I ate it big time, and I thought my life was over. Zach Galifianakis walked me to my hotel room and said, ‘You should be alone now. No one can help you.’ Not in a mean way, just like I can't make you feel better. Just deal with this disaster.…Like that was my big break, and I sat in my hotel room and I cried. …I blew my opportunity, and then, literally, 72 hours later, I got another chance to do that set in front of the one executive that didn't see me take it in Montreal, and her name is Grace Wu, and she worked at NBC, and gave me a development deal for my own TV show. So, within 72 hours of me having the biggest disappointment of my professional career, at that time, I had the biggest high of my professional career, 72 hours later. And that is a story that I want everyone to remember. When something goes badly, there are rainbows coming your way always. …I think every failure gets you closer to success.”
On the pressure to conform and being true to oneself despite judgment: “Do you know how many people have told me to stop talking about drugs and alcohol publicly in my life professionally, people have been like, ‘Chelsea, can you simmer down? …No brands are going to want to do deals with you. I'm like, ‘There's a million other stories to tell. I'm an incredible skier. I look incredible. I'm successful. I have all these books. I have all these shows. What are you talking about? Tell another story.’ So, I switched agencies, and guess what? I have tons of brand deals. …So, we all need to broaden our thinking a lot around that area, and we are all too judgmental.”
On having her best body at 50: “I have the body I wanted when I was 20, and I’m 50. So everyone, you have something to look forward to. It all comes together in your 40s and 50s.”
On the new Trump presidency: “I went through a lot of darkness and pain and ugliness during the last time we had this President. I'm not doing that again. You don’t get to steal my joy, you don’t get to steal my happiness.”
About SHE Media:
As a top 10 lifestyle media company reaching 74+ million monthly visitors, SHE Media focuses on the power of content and community to move our culture forward. SHE Media believes that media companies can and should be a force for good in the world.The company’s rich editorial ranges from health, food, and family to career and entertainment. SHE Media’s flagship brands, SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, Soaps, and TVLine, produce award-winning lifestyle content and events that reflect the passion and purpose of the company. In addition to the flagship brands, the SHE Media Collective supports thousands of independent publishers and content creators with technology, education, and monetization opportunities to grow their businesses.
SHE Media has a longstanding commitment to the advancement of equity and inclusion through media. In 2021, SHE Media launched Meaningful Marketplaces enabling advertisers to buy media at scale from a community of women and minority-owned publishers, ensuring that independent media receives the economic support to thrive. SHE Media is also dedicated to advancing women’s health. In 2023, SHE Media launched Flow Space, an all-new digital and live media platform providing content, community, and commerce in service of women’s whole life health. Part of Penske Media Corporation (PMC), SHE Media is based in New York, with offices in Los Angeles. Follow SHE Media on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X.
SOCIALMEDIA
@SHEMedia| #WholeLifeHealth
Press Contact:
Penske Media Corporation / SHE Media
Abby Kalicka, akalicka@pmc.com
Today, Rolling Stone released the first of four covers of its highly anticipated Future of Music issue, starring Benson Boone. Senior Writer Brian Hiatt visited the 22-year-old singer at his home in Utah to delve into the mind of the young superstar as he puts the finishing touches on a new album, tentatively titled American Heart. Boone, whose “Beautiful Things” was the biggest song in the world last year, gave the most in-depth and revealing interview of his career so far, opening up about everything from faith to body-image issues to opening for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour.
Like the other Future of Music cover stars that will be unveiled this week, Benson Boone is also featured on the Rolling Stone Future 25 list, the annual rundown of the artists who have the Rolling Stone staff most excited about the music of tomorrow. Rolling Stone’s Future 25 list will go live on March 19, with the International Future of Music package to follow on March 27.
The Future of Music issue celebrates the rising stars of music who are dreaming up new sounds and inspiring new movements. Rolling Stone’sFuture of Music showcase at SXSW, presented by JBL, kicks off tonight, March 11th, in Austin, Texas with Benson Boone headlining. The showcase continues through Friday, March 14th.
Look for three more exciting covers and cover stories to come over the course of the week, and for ongoing coverage of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase at SXSW on RollingStone.com.
Follow Rolling Stone
Instagram: @RollingStone
Facebook: @RollingStone
YouTube: @RollingStone
###
About Rolling Stone:
Five decades since its founding, Rolling Stone today has evolved into a multi-platform content brand with unrivaled access and authority, reaching a global audience of over 60 million people per month. Staying true to its mission to tell exceptional stories that illuminate the culture of our times, Rolling Stone is an authority for music reviews, in-depth interviews, hard-hitting political commentary and award-winning journalism across print, digital, mobile, video, social and events. Operated and published by Penske Media Corporation, Rolling Stone provides “all the news that fits.”
PR Contact:
Nicole Morano, nmorano@pmc.com
Today, global music authority Billboard announced that Doechii will receive the prestigious 2025 Woman of the Year Award at the Women in Music event taking place on Saturday, March 29 at YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA. Hosted by Emmy® nominee, Laverne Cox, the star-studded evening will air LIVE on VIZIO WatchFree+ at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and honor the most influential women in music spanning artists and industry leaders with inspiring performances, awards, and tributes.
The Tampa-born, L.A.-based rapper/singer/etc. is one of the most dynamic of her generation, as compelling delivering blunt bars over boom bap as she is cooing affirmations over astral jazz, barking orders over blistering house, or seducing over a radio-conquering R&B jam. In many ways — commercially, critically, personally — Bites is the culmination of the Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records innovator’s wild rise. In 2023 alone: Doechii scored her first RIAA Platinum® plaque and Billboard Hot 100 hit with the viral, “No Scrubs”-sampling “What It Is (Block Boy).” She turned heads again with Eurodance/rap hybrid “Alter Ego,” featuring JT. Next, she played Coachella’s main stage, popped in to perform on Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, and hit the road with Doja Cat. Before the year was out, she was named a RISING STAR among Women in Music by Billboard (joining Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, et al.), and showed off her acting chops in A24 film Earth Mama. But that was then. More recently, Kendrick Lamar co-signed Doechii as “the hardest out,” Killer Mike said she’s “going to change music forever,” Tyler, the Creator tapped her for Chromakopia, Variety’s Hitmakers gave her the Hip-Hop Disrupter award, and countless critical institutions put Bites on their best-of-2024 lists. She also revealed herself to be a performer par excellence, not only selling out a headlining US/UK/EU tour, but also bringing complex choreo to Colbert, a 10-piece band to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, and a truly jaw-dropping production to the 2025 GRAMMY Awards (where she was also nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best New Artist). Ultimately, though, what’s most impressive about Doechii isn’t simply that she excels at literally every form she explores. It’s that she is at home in her artistry, wherever it takes her.
"After receiving the Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award in 2023, Doechii is taking pop culture by storm, this year becoming the third woman in history to win a Grammy best rap album, and dazzling fans of every musical genre with her breathtaking performances, ultra-candid lyrics and utterly unique sound, style and spirit,” said Hannah Karp, Editor-in-Chief of Billboard. "We are thrilled to celebrate Doechii and cheer on her continued success."
Billboard’s Woman of the Year Award has become one of the music industry’s highest honors. Past recipients include Karol G, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. Doechii won the Rising Star award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event. She is just the third woman to progress from the Rising Star award to Woman of the Year, following Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
Doechii joins previously announced lineup of powerhouse women shaping the music landscape. aespa will receive the Group of the Year Award; Ángela Aguilar will receive the Breakthrough Award; Erykah Badu will receive the Icon Award; GloRilla will receive the Powerhouse Award; Gracie Abrams will receive the Songwriter of the Year Award; JENNIE will receive the Global Force Award; Megan Moroney will receive the Rulebreaker Award presented by Crown Royal Whisky; Meghan Trainor will receive the Hitmaker Award; Muni Long will receive the Rising Star Award presented by Honda Stage; and Tyla will receive the Impact Award presented by Bose.
Newly announced presenters Becky G and Suki Waterhouse will join previously announced presenters Julia Michaels, Kali Uchis, Madison Beer, Mickey Guyton, Summer Walker, Tanner Adell, and Zara Larsson. Previously announced performers include Ángela Aguilar, aespa, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Megan Moroney, Muni Long and Tyla, with additional performers and presenters to be announced in the coming weeks.
In addition, as Billboard’s global partners have expanded Women in Music with new events launched around the world, ANNA, named Billboard Italy Woman of the Year at its inaugural ceremony, and Charlotte Cardin, honored as the latest Billboard Canada Woman of the Year by Billboard Canada, will be celebrated as Global Women of the Year.
VIZIO WatchFree+ will be the exclusive home to the Billboard Women in Music 2025 live channel and on-demand collection from March 17 – April 5, with the LIVE show airing free on March 29 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT on VIZIO TVs and in the VIZIO mobile app. The channel and on demand collection will give viewers an inside look at the inspiring women artists shaping the music industry, featuring in-depth interviews, in-studio sessions with artists, episodic series, and more.
VIZIO TV owners can watch Billboard Women in Music 2025 and the LIVE event by opening the WatchFree+ app on their TV. For those who do not have a VIZIO TV, anyone can download the free VIZIO mobile app to their mobile device, click on the WatchFree+ button in the bottom row menu, and tune into the Billboard Women in Music 2025 channel.
Tickets are on-sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Prices will start at $89.00. Tables are also available to purchase, please contact joe.maimone@billboard.com for additional information.
Sponsors for the 2025 Billboard Women in Music event include Official Whisky Partner Crown Royal, HarbourView Equity Partners, Bose presenter of the Impact Award, Sol De Janeiro, and Honda Stage presenter of the Rising Star Award.
For sponsorship opportunities please contact estepankovsky@billboard.com and psturchio@billboard.com.
Follow Billboard on Social Media
- Instagram: @billboard
- X: @billboard
- TikTok: @billboard
- Facebook: @billboard
MEDIA CREDENTIAL APPLICATION & ASSETS
2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards Media Credential Application: HERE
Press Kit (Sizzle Reel, Logos, Talent Graphics): HERE
This event is not affiliated with Women in Music, a non-profit organization committed to advancing equality, visibility and opportunities for women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment and recognition. To support the work of Women in Music please visit https://www.womeninmusic.org/.
ABOUT BILLBOARD
Billboard is the ultimate barometer of success in music. Through its iconic charts, breaking news, thought leadership, multi-platform storytelling and world class events, Billboard tracks the world’s top musicians and the business that powers them. Since its origin in 1894, music leaders and fans across the world look to Billboard as the most trusted source for music information, spanning more than a dozen countries and published in 10 languages. The prestigious Billboard Music Awards are the only premium awards ceremony that recognize musicians for their undeniable achievements on the Billboard charts, using pure data to determine the winners, rather than relying on opaque committees or undisclosed voters to select the honorees giving fans maximum impact at each year's ceremony, as Billboard's chart data measures fans' engagement with their favorite music. Billboard’s other premium experiences range from the Billboard Power 100 to Billboard Women in Music, BillboardLatin Music Week, and Billboard Live, which connects the most impactful artists and industry leaders with fans from all cultures and corners of the globe.
ABOUT VIZIO
Founded and headquartered in Orange County, California, our mission at VIZIO is to deliver immersive entertainment and compelling lifestyle enhancements that make our products the center of the connected home. We are driving the future of televisions through our integrated platform of cutting-edge Smart TVs and powerful operating system. We also offer a portfolio of innovative sound bars that deliver consumers an elevated audio experience. Our platform gives content providers more ways to distribute their content and advertisers more tools to connect with the right audience.
ABOUT YOUTUBE THEATER
YouTube Theater is a 6,000-seat performance venue located at Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre sports and entertainment destination in Inglewood Calif., being developed by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. The state-of-the-art theater is a 227,000 square foot, three-story indoor venue situated under the same roof canopy as SoFi Stadium and American Airlines Plaza. The venue can be configured to house three different crowd capacities, including intimate settings with minimum capacities of 3,400 and 4,400. Equipped with premium finishes throughout, the venue ranked among the Top 10 venues in the world for top-grossing concert and live event ticket sales in 2024, and was named 2025 West Coast Theater or Club of the Year by Billboard. Opened in August 2021, YouTube Theater is equipped to host a variety of events, including concerts, awards shows, boxing, esports competitions, community gatherings, conferences and more.
ABOUT HARBOURVIEW EQUITY PARTNERS
HarbourView Equity Partners is an investment firm, founded by Sherrese Clarke Soares, focused on opportunities to support premium content across the entertainment, sports, and media markets. The firm seeks businesses or assets powered by IP and investment opportunities that aim to build enduring value and returns. HarbourView has been extremely active since launching in 2021, amassing roughly $1.45 billion* in regulatory assets under management including over 70+ music catalogs to date and investments in two media production companies, MACRO and Mucho Mas Media, both with a mission to center premium storytelling. The firm's distinctly diverse music portfolio features thousands of titles spanning numerous genres, eras, and artists, amounting to a diversified catalog of ~31,000+ songs across both master recordings and publishing income streams. The company is headquartered in Newark, NJ.
*Regulatory AUM is as of 12/31/23; RAUM for private funds is calculated regardless of the nature of the gross assets under management. This includes any uncalled committed capital pursuant to an obligation to make a capital contribution to the fund.
ABOUT HONDA STAGE
Honda Stage is a music platform that builds on the brand’s deep foundation of celebrating determined artists and their journeys while bringing unique music experiences to fans. Honda Stage offers exclusive, behind-the-scenes music content and inspirational stories from on-the-rise and fan-favorite artists, giving music fans access to the moments they love while celebrating the creativity and drive it takes to make it big.
ABOUT BOSE CORPORATION
Bose is world renowned for its premium audio solutions for the home, on the go, and in the car. Since its founding in 1964 by Dr. Amar Bose, the company has been dedicated to delivering amazing sound experiences through innovation. And its passionate employees — engineers, researchers, music fanatics, and dreamers — have remained committed to the belief that sound is the most powerful force on earth; its ability to transform, transport, and make us feel alive. For 60 years, this belief has driven us to create products that have become iconic, changing the way people listen to music.
ABOUT CROWN ROYAL
Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by the King and Queen of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth and elegant flavor was an exceptionally generous gift fit for royalty. Its gift-worthy presentation reflects its regal origins – it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information, visit crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly.
ABOUT DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Juliotequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.
ABOUT SOL DE JANEIRO
Launched in 2015, SOL DE JANEIRO is a globally recognized, award-winning beauty brand, drawing inspiration from Brazil’s beauty rituals, warmth, and spirit. SOL DE JANEIRO delivers a sensory experience beloved by multi-generational consumers worldwide, with clinically proven results, transformative textures, and transportive fragrances. The brand has earned high-profile honors, including being named one of TIME100’s 2024 Most Influential Companies, Fast Company’s 2024 World's Most Innovative Companies, and WWD Beauty Inc’s Power Brands of 2024, underscoring its leadership in the beauty industry and outstanding workplace. Available at premium international retailers like Sephora and online at soldejaneiro.com, SOL DE JANEIRO is rooted in the belief that beauty is an attitude, not a standard.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Penske Media Corporation
Lydia Baskharoon, lbaskharoon@pmc.com
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis
Abi O’Donnell, Pipere Boggio, Bridget Cirone, Tammy Nguyen
billboardWIMpr@ssmandl.com
# # #
Today, global music authority Billboard announced that Doechii will receive the prestigious 2025 Woman of the Year Award at the Women in Music event taking place on Saturday, March 29 at YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA. Hosted by Emmy® nominee, Laverne Cox, the star-studded evening will air LIVE on VIZIO WatchFree+ at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and honor the most influential women in music spanning artists and industry leaders with inspiring performances, awards, and tributes.
The Tampa-born, L.A.-based rapper/singer/etc. is one of the most dynamic of her generation, as compelling delivering blunt bars over boom bap as she is cooing affirmations over astral jazz, barking orders over blistering house, or seducing over a radio-conquering R&B jam. In many ways — commercially, critically, personally — Bites is the culmination of the Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol Records innovator’s wild rise. In 2023 alone: Doechii scored her first RIAA Platinum® plaque and Billboard Hot 100 hit with the viral, “No Scrubs”-sampling “What It Is (Block Boy).” She turned heads again with Eurodance/rap hybrid “Alter Ego,” featuring JT. Next, she played Coachella’s main stage, popped in to perform on Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, and hit the road with Doja Cat. Before the year was out, she was named a RISING STAR among Women in Music by Billboard (joining Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, et al.), and showed off her acting chops in A24 film Earth Mama. But that was then. More recently, Kendrick Lamar co-signed Doechii as “the hardest out,” Killer Mike said she’s “going to change music forever,” Tyler, the Creator tapped her for Chromakopia, Variety’s Hitmakers gave her the Hip-Hop Disrupter award, and countless critical institutions put Bites on their best-of-2024 lists. She also revealed herself to be a performer par excellence, not only selling out a headlining US/UK/EU tour, but also bringing complex choreo to Colbert, a 10-piece band to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, and a truly jaw-dropping production to the 2025 GRAMMY Awards (where she was also nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best New Artist). Ultimately, though, what’s most impressive about Doechii isn’t simply that she excels at literally every form she explores. It’s that she is at home in her artistry, wherever it takes her.
"After receiving the Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award in 2023, Doechii is taking pop culture by storm, this year becoming the third woman in history to win a Grammy best rap album, and dazzling fans of every musical genre with her breathtaking performances, ultra-candid lyrics and utterly unique sound, style and spirit,” said Hannah Karp, Editor-in-Chief of Billboard. "We are thrilled to celebrate Doechii and cheer on her continued success."
Billboard’s Woman of the Year Award has become one of the music industry’s highest honors. Past recipients include Karol G, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. Doechii won the Rising Star award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event. She is just the third woman to progress from the Rising Star award to Woman of the Year, following Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
Doechii joins previously announced lineup of powerhouse women shaping the music landscape. aespa will receive the Group of the Year Award; Ángela Aguilar will receive the Breakthrough Award; Erykah Badu will receive the Icon Award; GloRilla will receive the Powerhouse Award; Gracie Abrams will receive the Songwriter of the Year Award; JENNIE will receive the Global Force Award; Megan Moroney will receive the Rulebreaker Award presented by Crown Royal Whisky; Meghan Trainor will receive the Hitmaker Award; Muni Long will receive the Rising Star Award presented by Honda Stage; and Tyla will receive the Impact Award presented by Bose.
Newly announced presenters Becky G and Suki Waterhouse will join previously announced presenters Julia Michaels, Kali Uchis, Madison Beer, Mickey Guyton, Summer Walker, Tanner Adell, and Zara Larsson. Previously announced performers include Ángela Aguilar, aespa, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Megan Moroney, Muni Long and Tyla, with additional performers and presenters to be announced in the coming weeks.
In addition, as Billboard’s global partners have expanded Women in Music with new events launched around the world, ANNA, named Billboard Italy Woman of the Year at its inaugural ceremony, and Charlotte Cardin, honored as the latest Billboard Canada Woman of the Year by Billboard Canada, will be celebrated as Global Women of the Year.
VIZIO WatchFree+ will be the exclusive home to the Billboard Women in Music 2025 live channel and on-demand collection from March 17 – April 5, with the LIVE show airing free on March 29 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT on VIZIO TVs and in the VIZIO mobile app. The channel and on demand collection will give viewers an inside look at the inspiring women artists shaping the music industry, featuring in-depth interviews, in-studio sessions with artists, episodic series, and more.
VIZIO TV owners can watch Billboard Women in Music 2025 and the LIVE event by opening the WatchFree+ app on their TV. For those who do not have a VIZIO TV, anyone can download the free VIZIO mobile app to their mobile device, click on the WatchFree+ button in the bottom row menu, and tune into the Billboard Women in Music 2025 channel.
Tickets are on-sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Prices will start at $89.00. Tables are also available to purchase, please contact joe.maimone@billboard.com for additional information.
Sponsors for the 2025 Billboard Women in Music event include Official Whisky Partner Crown Royal, HarbourView Equity Partners, Bose presenter of the Impact Award, Sol De Janeiro, and Honda Stage presenter of the Rising Star Award.
For sponsorship opportunities please contact estepankovsky@billboard.com and psturchio@billboard.com.
Follow Billboard on Social Media
- Instagram: @billboard
- X: @billboard
- TikTok: @billboard
- Facebook: @billboard
MEDIA CREDENTIAL APPLICATION & ASSETS
2025 Billboard Women in Music Awards Media Credential Application: HERE
Press Kit (Sizzle Reel, Logos, Talent Graphics): HERE
This event is not affiliated with Women in Music, a non-profit organization committed to advancing equality, visibility and opportunities for women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment and recognition. To support the work of Women in Music please visit https://www.womeninmusic.org/.
ABOUT BILLBOARD
Billboard is the ultimate barometer of success in music. Through its iconic charts, breaking news, thought leadership, multi-platform storytelling and world class events, Billboard tracks the world’s top musicians and the business that powers them. Since its origin in 1894, music leaders and fans across the world look to Billboard as the most trusted source for music information, spanning more than a dozen countries and published in 10 languages. The prestigious Billboard Music Awards are the only premium awards ceremony that recognize musicians for their undeniable achievements on the Billboard charts, using pure data to determine the winners, rather than relying on opaque committees or undisclosed voters to select the honorees giving fans maximum impact at each year's ceremony, as Billboard's chart data measures fans' engagement with their favorite music. Billboard’s other premium experiences range from the Billboard Power 100 to Billboard Women in Music, BillboardLatin Music Week, and Billboard Live, which connects the most impactful artists and industry leaders with fans from all cultures and corners of the globe.
ABOUT VIZIO
Founded and headquartered in Orange County, California, our mission at VIZIO is to deliver immersive entertainment and compelling lifestyle enhancements that make our products the center of the connected home. We are driving the future of televisions through our integrated platform of cutting-edge Smart TVs and powerful operating system. We also offer a portfolio of innovative sound bars that deliver consumers an elevated audio experience. Our platform gives content providers more ways to distribute their content and advertisers more tools to connect with the right audience.
ABOUT YOUTUBE THEATER
YouTube Theater is a 6,000-seat performance venue located at Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre sports and entertainment destination in Inglewood Calif., being developed by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. The state-of-the-art theater is a 227,000 square foot, three-story indoor venue situated under the same roof canopy as SoFi Stadium and American Airlines Plaza. The venue can be configured to house three different crowd capacities, including intimate settings with minimum capacities of 3,400 and 4,400. Equipped with premium finishes throughout, the venue ranked among the Top 10 venues in the world for top-grossing concert and live event ticket sales in 2024, and was named 2025 West Coast Theater or Club of the Year by Billboard. Opened in August 2021, YouTube Theater is equipped to host a variety of events, including concerts, awards shows, boxing, esports competitions, community gatherings, conferences and more.
ABOUT HARBOURVIEW EQUITY PARTNERS
HarbourView Equity Partners is an investment firm, founded by Sherrese Clarke Soares, focused on opportunities to support premium content across the entertainment, sports, and media markets. The firm seeks businesses or assets powered by IP and investment opportunities that aim to build enduring value and returns. HarbourView has been extremely active since launching in 2021, amassing roughly $1.45 billion* in regulatory assets under management including over 70+ music catalogs to date and investments in two media production companies, MACRO and Mucho Mas Media, both with a mission to center premium storytelling. The firm's distinctly diverse music portfolio features thousands of titles spanning numerous genres, eras, and artists, amounting to a diversified catalog of ~31,000+ songs across both master recordings and publishing income streams. The company is headquartered in Newark, NJ.
*Regulatory AUM is as of 12/31/23; RAUM for private funds is calculated regardless of the nature of the gross assets under management. This includes any uncalled committed capital pursuant to an obligation to make a capital contribution to the fund.
ABOUT HONDA STAGE
Honda Stage is a music platform that builds on the brand’s deep foundation of celebrating determined artists and their journeys while bringing unique music experiences to fans. Honda Stage offers exclusive, behind-the-scenes music content and inspirational stories from on-the-rise and fan-favorite artists, giving music fans access to the moments they love while celebrating the creativity and drive it takes to make it big.
ABOUT BOSE CORPORATION
Bose is world renowned for its premium audio solutions for the home, on the go, and in the car. Since its founding in 1964 by Dr. Amar Bose, the company has been dedicated to delivering amazing sound experiences through innovation. And its passionate employees — engineers, researchers, music fanatics, and dreamers — have remained committed to the belief that sound is the most powerful force on earth; its ability to transform, transport, and make us feel alive. For 60 years, this belief has driven us to create products that have become iconic, changing the way people listen to music.
ABOUT CROWN ROYAL
Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by the King and Queen of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth and elegant flavor was an exceptionally generous gift fit for royalty. Its gift-worthy presentation reflects its regal origins – it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information, visit crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly.
ABOUT DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Juliotequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.
ABOUT SOL DE JANEIRO
Launched in 2015, SOL DE JANEIRO is a globally recognized, award-winning beauty brand, drawing inspiration from Brazil’s beauty rituals, warmth, and spirit. SOL DE JANEIRO delivers a sensory experience beloved by multi-generational consumers worldwide, with clinically proven results, transformative textures, and transportive fragrances. The brand has earned high-profile honors, including being named one of TIME100’s 2024 Most Influential Companies, Fast Company’s 2024 World's Most Innovative Companies, and WWD Beauty Inc’s Power Brands of 2024, underscoring its leadership in the beauty industry and outstanding workplace. Available at premium international retailers like Sephora and online at soldejaneiro.com, SOL DE JANEIRO is rooted in the belief that beauty is an attitude, not a standard.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Penske Media Corporation
Lydia Baskharoon, lbaskharoon@pmc.com
Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis
Abi O’Donnell, Pipere Boggio, Bridget Cirone, Tammy Nguyen
billboardWIMpr@ssmandl.com
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Today, Sportico announced the lineup for the highly anticipated Sportico House at SXSW®, taking placeMarch 11-12 at Wanderlust Wine Co. The dynamic two-day event brings together industry professionals for an exciting mix of panels, podcasts and networking opportunities. The expert-led discussions and live podcast tapings throughout the two days will explore the intersection of sports, media, and business as well as the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of the sports industry. This immersive event will allow attendees to engage with thought leaders, participate in insightful conversations and build valuable connections.
Attendees will hear from industry all-stars and experts including:
· Andrew Yaffe, CEO, Dude Perfect
· Roger Bennett, Founder and CEO, Men in Blazers
· Courtney Hirsch, COO, Jomboy Media
· Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Tackle
· Andy Roddick, Former Professional Tennis Player, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur
· Michael Klein, CEO, Silver Tribe Media
· Lillian Xu, Executive Director of Audio, Vox Media
· Andrew Zimmern, 4x James Beard Award-Winning Chef & United Nations World Food Program Goodwill Ambassador
· Gabby Thomas, 5x Olympic Track & Field Medalist
· Clean Pocket Podcast with Colt McCoy, Jay Gruden, AQ Shipley and Justin Pugh
· Talkin’ Baseball Podcast with Jake Storiale and Peter Moylan
· Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks X Podcast
· Off the Edge Podcast with Steve Sarkisian and Cam Jordan
· Additional speakers and talent to be announced
Learn more and see the full agenda HERE. If you’d like to attend, please register HERE.
FloSports and Genius Sports are official partners of Sportico House at SXSW.
About Sportico
Sportico is a digital content platform providing sports industry news, data, insights, strategies, leadership and live media experiences for professionals in the $600 billion sports industry.Launched by Penske Media in 2020 as the global media and publishing leader in the business of sports, Sportico has offices in New York with reporters throughout the world committed to providing breaking news in the sports business industry covered by the world’s top journalists.
CBS and Dick Clark Productions announced today that the 2025 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (AMAs), the world’s largest fan-voted music awards show, is set to air live from Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.* The 51st AMAs will broadcast globally across linear and digital platforms and will honor the most popular songs and artists of the year while paying tribute to our country’s troops. More details to be announced soon.
Celebrating the most iconic music in America—the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases. Each Memorial Day, the AMAs pays special tribute to our veterans through authentic performances and unforgettable moments. Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the AMAs is known for delivering half a century of iconic performances, enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
This year marks the return of the AMAs following October 2024’s top-rated “American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special” on CBS - named one of the most-watched entertainment specials of the year. As the most-streamed AMAs in the show's history, the star-studded special surpassed 13M in reach and averaged over 6.1M viewers, an increase of +53% from the last show in 2022 on ABC, making it the largest year over year growth of a music special or award show in the world. The evening celebrated half a century of groundbreaking music with an all-star packed lineup that included Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Green Day, Brad Paisley, Chaka Khan, Sheila E., Gladys Knight, Kane Brown, Nelly, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, RAYE, Stray Kids, AJ McLean, Jimmy Kimmel, Kate Hudson, Lance Bass, Reba McEntire, Samuel L. Jackson, and Smokey Robinson.
The AMAs is produced by Dick Clark Productions.
For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:
- Website: TheAMAs.com
- X: @AMAs
- Instagram: @AMAs
- TikTok: @AMAs
- Facebook: @AMAs
- Threads: @AMAs
- YouTube: @TheAMAs
- Hashtag: #AMAs
*Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
About CBS
CBS, a subsidiary of Paramount Global, creates and distributes industry-leading content across a variety of platforms to audiences around the world. The Company has businesses with origins that date back to the dawn of the broadcasting age as well as new ventures that operate on the leading edge of media. It includes some of the industry’s most successful and popular brands and businesses: CBS Television Network, CBS News and Stations, CBS Sports, CBS Studios, CBS Media Ventures and CBS digital properties.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world's largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming including the "Academy of Country Music Awards," "American Music Awards," "Billboard Music Awards," "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest," “Golden Globes,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” from 19 Entertainment and DCP, and “Streamy Awards.” Dick Clark Productions owns one of the world's most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation, in a subsidiary joint venture between Penske Media and Eldridge. Dick Clark Productions is a Penske Media company. For more information, please visitDickClark.com.
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Media Contacts
Dick Clark Productions, Gina Sorial, gsorial@dickclark.com
CBS, Kate Fisher, KHFisher@cbs.com
Today, Billboard unveiled the exciting opening acts for its star-studded concert series at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX. Billboard THE STAGE at SXSW will feature an incredible roster of emerging talent alongside the previously announced headliners: Koe Wetzel, Grupo Frontera, and John Summit. The concert series will take place from March 13-15 at the iconic Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park.
Kicking off the series on March 13, Ashley Cooke will open for Texas-born country sensation Koe Wetzel. On March 14, Majo Aguilar will warm up the crowd for the Música Mexicana powerhouse Grupo Frontera, and on March 15, DJ Nala will get the party started before globally-renowned dance music artist John Summit takes the stage to close out the weekend with his high-energy beats.
Ticket Information:
Tickets for Billboard THE STAGE at SXSW are now on sale via Ticketmaster with a reserved amount exclusively for existing SXSW Platinum and Music Badge holders, and SXSW Music Festival wristband holders.
Don't miss your chance to experience these incredible performances live! For more information and to purchase tickets, please click HERE.
Additional Experiences:
- Carnival Cruise Line will provide an exciting Celebration Key-inspired experience at THE STAGE, complete with themed pedicabs and a tropical paradise zone at the venue.
- Azzaro Parfums will offer a fragrance sampling station throughout the event, where guests will have the opportunity to explore Azzaro’s iconic WANTED collection, experiencing signature scents in an interactive, hands-on environment.
- Bulleit Frontier Whiskey will be on site to toast music’s movers and shakers of SXSW with their Frontier Whiskey lounge accessible to guests 21+. The lounge will feature a private bar and place to relax between sets as well as a whiskey sampling and custom signature cocktails at all concessions.
- In partnership with REVERB, one lucky winner will receive a VIP trip to SXSW, including access to THE STAGE @ SXSW, a meet-and-greet with Koe Wetzel, and more. To enter the contest, please visit prizeo.com/Koe.
If you are interested in covering Billboard THE STAGE at SXSW in Austin, please reach out to Lydia Baskharoon at lbaskharoon@pmc.com.
Follow Billboard on Social Media
Instagram: @billboard @billboardlatin @billboarddance @billboardcountry
X: @billboard @billboardlatin @billboarddance
TikTok: @billboard
Facebook: @billboard @billboardlatin @billboarddance @billboardcountry
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ABOUT BILLBOARD
Billboard is the ultimate barometer of success in music. Through its iconic charts, breaking news, thought leadership, multi-platform storytelling and world class events, Billboard tracks the world’s top musicians and the business that powers them. Since its origin in 1894, music leaders and fans across the world look to Billboard as the most trusted source for music information, spanning more than a dozen countries and published in 10 languages. The prestigious Billboard Music Awards are the only premium awards ceremony that recognize musicians for their undeniable achievements on the Billboard charts, using pure data to determine the winners, rather than relying on opaque committees or undisclosed voters to select the honorees giving fans maximum impact at each year's ceremony, as Billboard's chart data measures fans' engagement with their favorite music. Billboard’s other premium experiences range from the Billboard Power 100 to Billboard Women in Music, Billboard Latin Music Week, and Billboard Live, which connects the most impactful artists and industry leaders with fans from all cultures and corners of the globe.
Media Contacts:
Penske Media Corporation/Billboard
Lydia Baskharoon, lbaskharoon@pmc.com
SXSW
Benjamin Perez, benjamin@sxsw.com
Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified,The Immersive Rock Experience, an unprecedented 360-degree immersive experience opening March 12, 2025, at Illuminarium Las Vegas at AREA15. This first of its kind spectacle is a mind-blowing celebration the music, history, imagery and culture of rock ‘n’ roll, encompassing over 1,000 photographs, 200 videos, 1,300 Rolling Stone covers, and featuring over 300 iconic artists whose music changed the world.
Drawing from rare live performance and behind-the-scenes footage, never-before-seen moments, exclusive portrait sessions, album art, and posters, Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified will deliver one of the most comprehensive collections of rock ‘n’ roll imagery ever assembled. Narrated by actor/musician Kevin Bacon, this visual, historical, and sonic tour spans genres and generations, offering powerful insights into rock’s influential past and living present. Above all else, Amplified is a celebration full of music and exultation – a chance to step inside what Jimi Hendrix once called The Electric Church.
“We are proud to partner with Illuminarium and a top-tier creative team to present Amplified, a powerful story of rock ‘n’ roll – one that echoes our own legacy and the deep cultural impact this music has made,” said Gus Wenner, Chief Executive Officer of Rolling Stone. “Amplified is a uniquely immersive experience and transports you through the history of rock ‘n’ roll – past and present – through sight, sound, and motion.”
Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified was created by Brand New World Studios exclusively for Illuminarium, a sensory space of 360-degree sight, sound, and unprecedented scale, powered by the world’s most advanced 4K laser projection, 3D audio and interactive technologies.
“We can think of no better partner than Rolling Stone, the authoritative voice that has chronicled the history of rock, to embark on our newest, most unique experience,” said Alan Greenberg, CEO of Illuminarium. “Our guests will be awestruck by the sound and images from floor to ceiling. This is much more than a show – it’s a time machine for music fans of all ages.”
The Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified experience begins the moment guests arrive, including interactive lobby elements, a real rock show merchandise experience and a full-service bar to enjoy before the journey begins. Guests will then be guided through eight transformative chapters devoted to rock's greatest artists, the message of their music, and the way it shaped not just sound, but the world around it - from the hair, the cars, the clothes to the fans and so much more.
“Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified is the ultimate immersive rock experience, a journey through rock ‘n’ roll and its impact on popular culture,” saysExecutive Producer Brad Siegel, Founder of Brand New World Studios. “It’s full of breathtaking images and music, but we knew it needed to be more than a wild ride; it needed to be a story that explored the impact of the soundtrack of our lives because stories bring people together, help us interpret our experiences and find meaning.”
The power of rock ‘n’ roll has always been captured in electrifying imagery. Over 500photographers and film directors like Mark Seliger, Danny Clinch, LynnGoldsmith, Anton Corbijn, Bob Gruen, Jim Marshall, Neil Preston, JanetteBeckman, and Pooneh Ghana took risks and pushed boundaries, just like the musicians they immortalized.
“Music imagery is about experiences,” says Jodi Peckman, Executive Producer and formerCreative Director of Rolling Stone. “It’s about the unbridled joy of concerts and our connection to our favorite artists. Every picture tells a story and Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified has hundreds of stories to tell.”
The experience unites executive producer Brad Siegel, whose transformative leadership at TNT, TCM and Cartoon Network shaped contemporary media, with three-decade Rolling Stone veteran Jodi Peckman, bringing her iconic visual perspective as Photography and Film Curator working alongside Director of Photography Meghan Benson and former Rolling Stone Executive Editor Joe Levy whose writing and music supervision delivered a transformative story and music experience. The experience's revolutionary design and visual narrative comes from Pentagram principals AbbottMiller and Emily Oberman, with motion design by Good Company andOscar-winning Sound Designer Peter Lehman and Supervising Producer KevinWagner creating the sonic landscape.
Rolling Stone and Illuminarium’s multi-year licensing partnership will bring immersive, music driven experiences to audiences across multiple markets in the U.S. and internationally.
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Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified, The Immersive RockExperience, plays daily at Illuminarium Las Vegas starting from 11 a.m. Last show time on Friday and Saturday is at 11 p.m. and Sunday – Thursday at 9 p.m.Tickets, starting at $40 for general admission, are on sale now and can be purchased at illuminarium.com/lasvegas.
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About Illuminarium Experiences
Illuminarium Experiences is a global experiential company offering breakthrough immersive360-degree cinematic entertainment, presented in its one-of-a-kind custom designed venues. Illuminarium surrounds visitors in a sensory space of sight, sound and scale unlike any other, providing boundless experiences and a personal connection to the world around them. With a fully customizable canvas, Illuminarium is the ideal location for special events, group outings, and viewing parties. Created by Alan Greenberg, RadicalMedia and RockwellGroup, Illuminarium Experiences brings together best-in-class partners in content creation, theatrical design, interactive technologies and venue operations. Illuminarium has locations in Las Vegas, Atlanta, Toronto andMacau, and is launching a worldwide touring operation. For more information and to purchase tickets, guests may visit illuminarium.com.
AboutBrand New World Studios
BrandNew World Studios (BNWS) is the world’s first purpose driven content studio.BNWS tells meaningful stories that positively impact people’s lives. Since 2018 BNWS has produced award winning purpose-driven film, television and short form digital content for worldwide audiences, businesses and non-profit organizations. Its most recent release is the feature documentary WHY IS MONA LISA SMILING: The Reimagination of theCorporation and COMEBACK: A March Madness Story that premiered on TNT&TBS for 2024 The Final Four. BNWS business film division has produced purpose documentaries for Salesforce, Fortune, BMW,Master Card, Bolthouse Farms, Diligent, P&G, Swarovski, Truist andCoca-Cola to name a few. The company’s software division has developed PURPOSEBOOK, the first and only proprietary platform, technology and algorithm-driven methodology that utilizes AI to allow individuals to discover and activate their own unique purpose and make a film about it.
The company was founded by Bradley Siegel and Joey Reiman and born of the belief that the power of a well-told story can inspire people’s lives and drive change for a better world. Mr. Siegel’s original productions have garnered over 125 Emmys, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Peabody, NAACP Image andSports Emmy Awards.
AboutRolling Stone:
Five decades since its founding, Rolling Stone today has evolved into a multi-platform content brand with unrivaled access and authority, reaching a global audience of over 60 million people per month. Staying true to its mission to tell exceptional stories that illuminate the culture of our times, Rolling Stone is an authority for music reviews, in-depth interviews, hard-hitting political commentary and award-winning journalism across print, digital, mobile, video, social and events. Operated and published by Penske Media Corporation, Rolling Stone provides “all the news that fits.”
FORMORE INFORMATION:
Tawny Bakke/Dave Kirvin, Kirvin Doak Communications: Illuminarium@kirvindoak.com
Fans are Invited to Access the Best Tickets Available for this Unforgettable, Star-Studded Country Music Event Through the ACM Awards Pre-Sale Starting on Tuesday, February 18; Pre-Sale Tickets are Available by Signing up for a Free Fan Membership Newsletter at ACM A-List
General On-Sale Starts Friday, February 21 at 10:00 a.m. CT at SeatGeek
Today, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) announced ticket on-sale information for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards which will take place Thursday, May 8, live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys. The 60th ACM Awards will stream LIVE exclusively on Prime Video. Hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, the ACM Awards continues to give fans around the world an exclusive invitation to a Country Music show sixty years in the making, featuring performances by the greatest Country Music stars of the past, present, and future.
- ACM A-LIST TICKET PRE-SALE: Tickets will be available for ACM A-List subscribers starting Tuesday, February 18. To gain access to presale tickets before they go on sale to the general public, sign up for the ACM A-List free email newsletter and you’ll be sent a pre-sale code that will grant you access to purchase tickets in advance of the public on-sale.
- GENERAL PUBLIC TICKET ON-SALE: Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 11:00 a.m. ET/10:00 a.m. CT/8:00 a.m. PT on Friday, February 21 at SeatGeek. Prices start as low as $100 before taxes and fees.
“This year’s ACM Awards is a celebration sixty years in the making, and we plan to make it one of the biggest and best shows yet!” said ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. “The 60th ACM Awards will mark our third consecutive year at Ford Center in The Star District, home of the Dallas Cowboys in Frisco, Texas, and we can’t wait to bring the ACM Awards back to the loyal Country Music fan base in Texas, and to those watching all around the globe on Amazon Prime Video. With Reba at the helm as our host, we’ll be commemorating the legends of Country Music while honoring the biggest and brightest stars of today.”
“The bar has been set very high during the first two years of hosting Country Music’s Party of the Year,” said Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones. “I think we all agree, though, that the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards’ 60th show is going to exceed that bar. Having an amazing icon of music and entertainment in Reba back for another year as host just sets this up to be one of the best ever and the Ford Center will be home to Country Music’s biggest and brightest stars once again.”
The 60th ACM Awards marks a return to Frisco, Texas for the third consecutive year, after two years of unforgettable moments, including acknowledging the top artists in the genre, and bringing superstar collaborations to the ACM Awards stage. Ford Center at The Star in Frisco opened in 2016 and serves as the state-of-the-art practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys, as well as the home for many major sporting events throughout the year. 2023’s ACM Awards was the first awards show to take place at Ford Center.
The 2024 show, also hosted by Reba McEntire, was a two-hour concert event which streamed live globally on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. The night featured an all-star lineup of memorable moments, including 18 show-stopping performances from 19 artists, including Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Chris Stapleton and Dua Lipa, Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne, Parker McCollum, Post Malone, Reba McEntire, Thomas Rhett, and Tigirlily Gold.
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor is executive producer and showrunner, with Patrick Menton as co-executive producer. Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP, and Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional details, including nominees, performers, and ticketing information about additional ACM events surrounding the awards will all be announced in the coming months.
About the Academy of Country Music
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown in the 60 years since into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2025 is a landmark year for the Academy with the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, returning to the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys in Texas for a third consecutive year and streaming live for a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM LEVel Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world's largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming including the "Academy of Country Music Awards," "American Music Awards," "Billboard Music Awards," "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest," “Golden Globes,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” from 19 Entertainment and DCP, and “Streamy Awards.” Dick Clark Productions owns one of the world's most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation, in a subsidiary joint venture between Penske Media and Eldridge. Dick Clark Productions is a Penske Media company. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store, and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
About The Star
The Star is the 91-acre campus of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and training facility in Frisco, Texas. Developed as a first-of-its-kind partnership between the City of Frisco, Frisco ISD and the Dallas Cowboys, The Star features Ford Center, a 12,000-seat indoor stadium and entertainment venue that hosts Frisco ISD football games, concerts, the prestigious Academy of Country Music Awards, the Dallas Open – an official ATP 500 tournament, and other special events; Cowboys Fit, a 60,000 square-foot gym developed in partnership with leading fitness developer, Mark Mastrov; Cowboys Club, a members-only club where the country club meets the NFL; the Omni Frisco Hotel, a 16-floor, 300-room luxury hotel; Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research at The Star, a 300,000 square-foot center of excellence for sports medicine; Twelve Cowboys Way, a 17-story, luxury residential tower in partnership between Pro Football Hall-of-Fame Quarterback #12 Roger Staubach, and Dallas-based developer and former Dallas Cowboys center, Robert Shaw; Formation, a dynamic coworking experience offering a collaborative work environment of open workspace, dedicated desks and private offices; as well as a variety of shopping, dining and nightlife options throughout The Star District. For more information on The Star, visit www.TheStarInFrisco.com.
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59th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; EPK/Video Footage/Photos HERE
Prime Video Social Handles:
Amazon Prime Video Instagram: @PrimeVideo Twitter: @PrimeVideo
The Academy of Country Music
Twitter: @ACMawards Instagram: @ACMawards Facebook: @AcademyofCountryMusic
TikTok: @ACMAwards #ACMawards
Media Contacts:
Academy of Country Music
Jesse Knutson, jesse@acmcountry.com
Lexi Cothran, lexi.cothran@acmcountry.com
Dick Clark Productions
Gina Sorial, gsorial@dickclark.com
Amazon Studios/Prime Video
Leshelle Sargent, Leshelle.Sargent@amazonstudios.com
Paige DuBois, Paige.Dubois@amazonstudios.com
Salem Hawatmeh, Salem.Hawatmeh@amazonstudios.com
Mekeisha Madden Toby, Mekeisha.MaddenToby@amazonstudios.com
Today, Penske Media Corporation (PMC) announced that Dan Gerber has been appointed Penske Media's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. In this role, Gerber will be tasked with driving new business ventures and executing content distribution deals for PMC’s robust portfolio of brands. Gerber sits within PMC’s Business Development team and will report to Marissa O’Hare, PMC’s Senior Vice President of Business Development and be based in New York.
“We’re thrilled to have Dan join our team. His unique experience and creative approach will fuel innovative deal development and enable us to experiment with new partnership models," said O’Hare.
Prior to PMC, Dan held leadership roles at Live Nation, SoundCloud, and Pandora where he generated significant revenue growth and executed transformative partnerships. He began his media career at CNET and CBS Interactive before joining Pandora as part of the early team that scaled its business. At SoundCloud, he launched the platform’s U.S. advertising business, securing major partnerships and establishing a foundation for growth. Dan was at Live Nation for nine years where he led impactful partnerships across digital, experiential, and sponsorship platforms. With two decades of experience in music, entertainment, and media, Dan has a proven record of building innovative partnerships that elevate businesses and advance industry leadership.
About Penske Media Corporation
Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is a leading global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 350 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and live events, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe, IndieWire, Artforum, Gold Derby and Luminate, the premier data and analytics company. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. In addition, PMC owns several of the most iconic and vital cultural events such as The Golden Globes, Country Music Awards (ACMs), Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, SXSW, American Music Awards (AMAs), and Latin Music Week. Penske Media is headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, for more information, please visit www.PMC.com.
Credo Holdings Co., Ltd.,a leading hospitality company headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has secured the operational rights for “Billboard Live” in Taipei in a licensing agreement with Penske Media Corporation. The inaugural Billboard Live Taipei is scheduled to open in Fall 2025 and will be located on the 7th floor of the “ATT 4 FUN” building in the bustling Xinyi District, Taipei.
Billboard Live is renowned for hosting live performances by internationally acclaimed artists. Originated by Hanshin Contents Link Corp, the master licensee of 'Billboard' in Japan, Billboard Live currently has locations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama, with alternate formats in Shanghai and Nanjing. Artists who have performed at Billboard Live in Japan include Steely Dan, Babyface, David Foster,Paul Stanley, Chaka Khan, Kool & the Gang, and The Beach Boys. Like its Japanese counterparts, Billboard Live Taipei will feature performances by top artists from Japan, Korea, the United States, Europe and Taiwan. The venue aims to promote musical exchanges between Taiwanese and international artists, serving as a bridge for Taiwanese talent to step onto the global stage. This effort aligns with Billboard’s mission of advancing the international presence of music cultures worldwide.
Billboard Live Taipei will introduce Taiwan to an unparalleled experience of live music combined with fine dining. Equipped with state-of-the-art audio systems, the 300-seat venue will provide an intimate setting where audiences can enjoy world-class performances up close. The restaurant will complement this experience with gourmet offerings. Billboard Live Taipei will create new opportunities for local artists to showcase their talent and contribute to the evolution ofTaiwan’s dynamic music landscape.
Click here for more details on the new club.
About Billboard Live
Billboard Live is an international network of upscale music venues that delivers an extraordinary live music experience by showcasing performances from premier artists across various genres. These venues are consciously designed to provide both intimacy and a top-quality sonic experience, catering to true music fans. At Billboard Live, viewers enjoy shows in a unique format that bridges the gap between the artist and the audience. All locations feature state-of-the-art sound systems and stage lighting, ensuring an immersive viewing experience that captivates attendees in every seat. Billboard Live venues attract a variety of acts, ranging from budding local talents to international superstars. Each venue's bill is a careful curation that reflects Billboard’s storied history in the music industry, offering spectators not only a night of entertainment but also an intimate encounter with music history.
January 9, 2025, Tblisi, Georgia: The Silk Road Group (“SRG”) and Rolling Stone join forces to launch The Rolling Stone Rooftop Club, the first of its kind club and event venue under the legendary Rolling Stone trademark. The new venue is set to open on the rooftop of the Telegraph Hotel in the heart of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. The Telegraph Hotel, which is part of the Leading Hotels of the World is owned, developed and managed by Silk Hospitality, an SRG subsidiary. The Telegraph Hotel with the Rolling Stone Rooftop Club will cater to local, regional and global clientele looking for a unique, immersive lifestyle experience. The hotel is expected to open its doors in early spring 2025.
SRG in cooperation with a Shanghai based architectural firm Neri & Hu, succeeded in transforming the historic Telegraph building into a luxury hotel. The Telegraph Hotel is designed for the 21st century traveler who demands experiences that go beyond luxurious rooms and top-quality service. Rolling Stone’s presence at the Telegraph Hotel guarantees a captivating experience, with the Rooftop Club offering an immersive journey through the history of music, showcasing legendary musicians from the late 20th century to today’s megastars.
Additionally, Silk Hospitality and Rolling Stone plan to expand their partnership for the hotel and residence lifestyle experience with Silk Hospitality and Silk Development’s mega project in the seaside town of Batumi on the Black Seacoast of Georgia where Silk in partnership with the legendary Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma is developing a spectacular Silk Tower project at the Batumi Riviera site with a multi layered concept that includes two five star hotels, a marina and beaches, a concert hall, residential buildings, shopping and entertainment spaces along with a municipal park, which SRG is donating to the city of Batumi.
Los Angeles, CA, May 20, 2022: Mike Van has been elevated to President of Billboard and Dana Droppo promoted to Chief Brand Officer effective immediately. Van will assume responsibility for all revenue operations and financial performance for the Billboard brand. In his previous role as Executive Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships, Billboard experienced unprecedented growth and set all time sales records. Van brings over twenty years of advertising and sales experience with him including leadership stints at Pandora, Electronic Arts, and Complex.
Dana Droppo has been promoted to Billboard’s first-ever Chief Brand Officer role. Droppo was most recently Senior Vice President of Marketing and has held positions of increasing responsibility within the Billboard brand for the last four years, including Vice President, Brand Experiences, and Vice President and Creative Director for Brand Partnerships. Droppo also spent 5 years at Complex where she was Director of Branded Content and has over 10 years of experience in various senior editorial and video production roles. She will oversee branded content and client services, analytics, live events, video production, and design for the brand. Additionally, she will be responsible for unifying and aligning the core brand strategy across business and editorial to support all revenue and audience goals, and leading new product and innovation initiatives including web3, live events and programming, and brand partnerships. Droppo will report to Van.
“We are thrilled to elevate two extremely talented executives, Mike and Dana, into the roles of President and Chief Brand Officer. The spirit of collaboration and teamwork they have helped to build has yielded incredible results and creativity over many years at Billboard. I look forward to their leadership and Billboard’s continued ascent, said CEO and Chairman of Penske Media, Jay Penske.”
About Billboard
Billboard is a global music media brand, with a renowned authority among artists, fans, and the industry. Billboard powers the ultimate global music destination and magazine, featuring unrivaled reporting on music news, issues and trends, the industry’s definitive charts, encompassing the most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres. Billboard also produces elite conferences and events which regularly convene the industry and consumers around important conversations – from the annual Power 100 to Women in Music to Pride Summit, Latin Music Week and more.
Penske Media Corporation
Brooke Jaffe, press@pmc.com
May 5, 2022: After years of admirable service at Billboard, President Julian Holguin is departing from the organization. His leadership has been instrumental in helping Billboard achieve new heights, and he successfully spearheaded many initiatives across the brand.
On behalf of Penske Media and the entire Billboard team, we thank Julian for his service and wish him success in all his future endeavors.
Billboard will announce new executive leadership early next week.
Billboard
Billboard is a global music media brand, with a renowned authority among artists, fans and the industry. Billboard powers the ultimate global music destination and magazine, featuring unrivaled reporting on music news, issues and trends, the industry’s definitive charts, encompassing the most complete and well respected database of charts across all music genres. Billboard also produces elite conferences and events which regularly convene the industry and consumers around important conversations – from the annual Power 100 to Women in Music to Pride Summit, Latin Music Week and more.
Penske Media Corporation
Brooke Jaffe, press@pmc.com
Music and Entertainment Data and Analytics Company P-MRC Data Changes Name to Luminate, Reflecting Its Role In Entertainment’s Data Economy
Luminate is the world’s most trusted global data provider, unlocking entertainment’s most essential data as the industry continues to evolve
March 16th, 2022 (Austin, TX) – Today the company formerly known as P-MRC Data, whose brands have been synonymous with signaling music trends as well as accurate and transparent entertainment industry data for decades, is now called Luminate.
The entertainment industry can still expect the same objective, robust dataset comprising music sales, consumption, and consumer engagement, as well as extensive production metadata on the TV and film industry, as before. Going forward, Luminate will continue to create or incorporate even more fully validated data sources, enabling their customers with a wider range of tools that support their most crucial decisions. Luminate, which powers Billboard’s industry definitive music charts, counts virtually every top-tier entertainment company as a client.
“We re-conceived this brand as the industry’s central and most trusted source for all of entertainment’s verified strategic and operational data. The name represents our mission to bring clarity and insight to a complex and evolving industry,” said Rob Jonas, CEO of Luminate. “Over the past few months, we have begun to incorporate our tent-pole products, MRC Data and Variety Business Intelligence, into the most comprehensive entertainment analytics offering, which will eventually span across all major media categories, while comprehensively managing the rights of our ecosystem data partners and contributors.”
Luminate recently launched Global Hits, which tracks top performing songs across forty-eight countries and offers comparison and analysis across regions. The company is also scheduled to release a unified, cross-industry analytics platform later this year.
Though the music industry has been dependent on the Billboard charts since the late fifties, the recent advancements in technology and data science has ushered a new data-driven era for all of entertainment. Luminate sits at the center of this new data-centric ecosystem.
About Luminate
Luminate is the preeminent entertainment data and insights company, unlocking access to the most essential, objective, and trustworthy data compiled from thousands of verified data sources. With more than 30 years of history, this new company not only powers the Billboard Charts, but also informs the entire entertainment industry. Luminate brings together MRC Data, Variety Business Intelligence, Music Connect, BDS Radio and SoundScan to create the most comprehensive source of independent, objective, and foundational entertainment data. The company operates independently and is owned through a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and MRC. For more information visit: luminatedata.xyz
Penske Media Corporation
Brooke Jaffe, press@pmc.com
Florence, Italy Will Serve As The Host City For The Annual Event From October 14-17, 2022
March 15, 2022: Today, Robb Report and Penske Media Corporation are delighted to announce their support for the Gérard Basset Foundation and Liquid Icons by serving as the official media partner for the Golden Vines® Awards. Robb Report will sponsor the Golden Vines® World’s Best Fine Wine Producer Award during the ceremony, as well as be an official host at the Gala Dinners to be held in Florence, Italy from October 14 – 17, 2022.
Robb Report will be reporting live, both leading up to and during, the Golden Vines® Awards Ceremony and the Golden Vines® Fine Wine, Rare Spirit & Experience online auction. The auction benefits the Gérard Basset Foundation which is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of industry professionals and was created to address the most pressing issues in the wine, spirits, and hospitality industries through education, training, and mentorship. In 2021, the program raised over £1.2 million to fund diversity & inclusivity education programs globally in the world of wine, spirits & hospitality.
Lewis Chester DipWSET, Co-Founder and CEO of Liquid Icons said ‘We are delighted and excited to bring the world’s most recognized and influential luxury media brand on board as our Golden Vines® media partner. Golden Vines® is not only dedicated to raising money for diversity & inclusivity educational programs globally, but also about recognizing the best of the best in the world of fine wine through the hundreds of leading fine wine experts who vote for the Awards. In this regard, Robb Report’s excellence in identifying the best in the world of luxury is a perfect marriage and natural partnership with the Golden Vines®.
Adam Fox, Vice President International, Publisher Robb Report UK said, ‘Our partnership and support of the Gérard Basset Foundation and Liquid Icons emphasizes our commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives within the world of luxury, media, and hospitality. Robb Report’s voice has been unmatched in the global luxury market since 1976. Whether our affluent readers need a competitive edge in the industry, a thrilling new experience, or a meaningful addition to their collection, they rely on Robb Report to expertly curate all that the world of luxury has to offer. From the World’s Best Wine Maker, to the upcoming Rising Star, our exciting partnership with Liquid Icons will bring expertly curated content and rich insights into the world of fine wines for our discerning and successful audience.
The Golden Vines® Awards Ceremony is the world’s premium fine wine event, honoring the best of the best fine wine producers globally. 450 fine wine professionals from 55 countries with an average experience of more than 18 years in the industry voted for last year’s winners, with voting independently verified by Deloitte. This year’s event in Florence will be for 275 guests over 4 days and feature the best wines & spirits from Dom Pérignon, Krug, Trimbach, Château Cheval Blanc, Solaia, Emidio Pepe, Taylor’s Port, Château d’Yquem, Hennessy Cognac and The Macallan. The black-tie closing Gala will be held at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence on Sunday 16 October, featuring food from Italy’s top 3-star Michelin chef and a surprise world-class performer.
Registration and additional information about the 2022 Golden Vines® Awards can be found here.
About Robb Report
Robb Report is the leading voice in the global luxury market. Its discerning audience around the world has a shared appreciation and desire for quality, exclusivity, heritage, taste, and fine design. It is the brand the most successful people rely on to discover the ideas, opinions, products, and experiences that will matter most to them.
About Liquid Icons:
Liquid Icons is a fine wine research and content production company founded by two friends to “do stuff in wine” – the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET. We create first-class original content and research about the world’s greatest fine wines and spirits. Our work encompasses motion picture, industry research, recognition and celebration of wine and spirits excellence, charitable and fundraising activities, as well as educational initiatives.
About Gérard Basset Foundation:
Set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset OBE MW MS by addressing the wine industry’s most pressing issues through education, training & mentorship, the Gérard Basset Foundation comprises a multidisciplinary team of industry-leading professionals as its Trustees: Nina Basset FIH, Romané Basset, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, and Jancis Robinson OBE MW.
https://gerardbassetfoundation.org
Penske Media Corporation
Brooke Jaffe, press@pmc.com
Las Vegas, Nevada – February 4, 2022 – Rolling Stone, a subsidiary of Penske Media, has acquired a majority interest in Life is Beautiful, an annual music, arts and ideas festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in 2013, Life is Beautiful has played host to over 1 million fans and 600 plus artists. The 2021 festival was anchored by Billie Eilish, Green Day, and Tame Impala and drew over 170,000 in attendance, making it one of the highest grossing festivals in 2021 nationwide.
“Live events are an integral part of Rolling Stone’s future and Life is Beautiful is an incredible platform to realize this vision. Coupled with our significant digital scale and deep journalism, there are infinite possibilities to grow Life is Beautiful in unique and impactful ways,” said Rolling Stone CEO, Gus Wenner.
The festival, founded in 2013 by Tony Hsieh, former CEO of Zappos and visionary entrepreneur, was born as part of Tony’s vision to transform and revitalize the underserved Downtown Las Vegas community. In the 9 years since its founding, over $350 million dollars in economic impact and cultural capital have been injected into Downtown Las Vegas and the surrounding area.
“I am grateful to have worked with Tony on this partnership and am proud to have Rolling Stone help carry forward his mission,” said Wenner.
“Tony understood that his ability to change people’s lives was magnified exponentially by his ability to bring smart, motivated, people-focused entrepreneurs together,” said Richard Hsieh, Tony’s father. “The Life Is Beautiful festival is one of the greatest manifestations of Tony’s desire to bring people together.”
“We are thrilled to realize the potential of Life is Beautiful in partnership with Rolling Stone,” said David Oehm, CEO of Life is Beautiful. “As a landmark institution and touchstone of the music industry for over 50 years, the Rolling Stone team will help to deepen our connection to fans of music everywhere, while also championing the cultural initiatives that make Life is Beautiful so much more than a music festival.”
Rolling Stone plans to expand Life is Beautiful into new territories and broaden its digital footprint. Together, Rolling Stone and Life is Beautiful will continue to highlight the most important musicians and artists of today, offer exposure to new cultural experiences, and contribute to a more beautiful world. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
About Rolling Stone
Five decades since its founding, Rolling Stone today has evolved into a multi-platform content brand with unrivaled access and authority, reaching a global audience of over 60 million people per month. Staying true to its mission to tell exceptional stories that illuminate the culture of our times, Rolling Stone is an authority for music reviews, in-depth interviews, hard-hitting political commentary, and award-winning journalism across print, digital, mobile, video, social and events. Operated and published by Penske Media Corporation, Rolling Stone provides “all the news that fits.”
About Life is Beautiful
Life is Beautiful was born in 2013 as part of the major transformation of Downtown Las Vegas as a cultural hub and has since contributed over $350M of economic impact and cultural capital to the area. During the three-day festival, premier musical acts, experiential artists, comedians, thinkers and culinary talent flow into the urban streets of DTLV, in addition to the festival’s 170,000 attendees. What started as an event has become something more: a symbol of connection, joy and creativity. Life is Beautiful continues to be driven by its core mission to create a holistic experience which aids in positive community transformation and individual empowerment by collectivizing and inspiring through shared experiences driven by art and culture.
About Penske Media Corporation
Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is a leading independent global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 310 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Deadline, Variety, Rolling Stone, SXSW, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Art in America, Fairchild Media, Spy.com, among many others. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. Headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, PMC believes companies should not only be profitable but also forces for good. To learn more about PMC, our 2% Foundation, and our portfolio of brands, please visit: http://www.pmc.com/.
Penske Media Corporation
Brooke Jaffe, press@pmc.com
New York, NY February 1, 2022 – Penske Media Corporation’s Black Affinity Group, a collection of individuals focused on connection, collective voice and community service, is excited to announce the launch of its second annual Black History Month Book Drive.
Throughout the month of February, and as part of its Black History Month initiatives, the Black Affinity Group will be fundraising through Penske Media Corporation’s 2% Foundation (to learn more, click here) to support underserved schools by supplying books that will broaden and diversify each library’s assortment.
The opportunity to engage through education is a high point for all, especially for young readers and Black authors who have made a vast contribution to literary history. Yet, across the country, many schools experience a lack of resources — or no resources at all — and are unable to experience these great works.
PMC’s Black History Month Book Drive serves as a way to encourage readership while supporting Black authors and purchasing books from small, Black-owned bookstores.
In its inaugural year, the 2021 Black Affinity Group Book Drive accomplished the following:
- Raised $58,311, including an internal corporate match
- Purchased 1,140 books through partnerships with four Black-owned bookstores
- Highlighted works of more than 70 Black authors
- Reached 69,975 students across 20 schools in California and New York, spanning grades K-12.
That translates to roughly one student reached for every dollar raised—and the impact was truly felt.
“When I walked into the office this morning, I had no idea that the huge stack of boxes by the front desk contained the titles from our book list. Thank you so much,” Denea McBroom, a teacher from Book Drive recipient Angeles Mesa Elementary School, told the Black Affinity Group. “I admit, I cannot remember the last time I was as excited to open anything, but looking through all the titles has brought an overwhelming amount of joy. The students will be so excited to share these stories with each other, to read books with characters that look like them and by authors who have brought these moments to life. Representation is so important. Again, I thank you. Angeles Mesa is grateful to you, specifically, and as a part of Penske Media for this invaluable resource library.”
Alan Pascale, a former teacher at Southside Academy in Syracuse noted this about his delivery of books: “We are SO grateful for the books. I was in tears the day they arrived, overwhelmed with gratitude. We are using the books for independent reading, literature circles and book talks. A few of my scholars have read four books since the donation, and many of the parents grabbed books to take home and read at our parent/teacher conferences in December. By far, with your donation, it is the best library I’ve ever had in my classroom and I’ve been teaching for 18 years!”
This year, the Black History Month Book Drive aims to double its impact, reaching two students for every dollar raised—or to bring diverse books to as many as 140,000 students in underserved schools.
The Book Drive launches today and will extend throughout the month of February, after which point publishers, book stores and school recipients will be designated for the donations.
To help the Black Affinity Group reach its 2022 Book Drive goal, contributions of any size can be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pmc-black-history-month-book-drive-2022
