*LOS ANGELES, CA – Thursday night (10-11-18), City of Hope raised more than six million dollars at a black-tie gala honoring Warner/Chappell Music Chairman and CEO Jon Platt.
The funds will go toward the nonprofit’s research and treatment of cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Held at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, the annual event was hosted by Pharrell and featured a performance by Beyoncé, with JAY-Z presenting Platt with the prestigious Spirit of Life® award.
JAY-Z praised Platt’s many accomplishments and commitment to his craft, calling him an …
“incredible, passionate person” and “the Obama of the music industry.” Adding, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving to be prized in front of their peers, in front of the world, than my brother, Jon Platt.”
In his acceptance speech, Platt commended City of Hope’s important work: “At a time in our country when so much is broken, I think it’s important that we focus on those who are doing great in the world. People who devote their lives to fixing what ails us, to the people that are saving lives. And over the last few months I’ve had the privilege to meet with the people of City of Hope, the people that give City of Hope its name.”
Though initially hesitant about taking the spotlight, Platt emphasized how seriously he takes this honor – especially as an opportunity to shine a light on others: “As an African American CEO, I proudly embrace the responsibility to lend a helping hand to people of color who are coming up in this industry, as well as to represent my friends and my colleagues that are already doing good in this game.”
He thanked numerous people who he credited for getting him to where he is and helping him along the way, including the songwriters themselves: “I’d like to thank songwriters… songwriters who represent diversity in all its forms, as you continue to prove every day, that genius does not discriminate.”
The star-studded celebration, which kicked off with performances by Mary Mary and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, culminated with the nonprofit’s first-ever after-party, deejayed by Jermaine Dupri.
Luminaries like Dr. Dre, Derek Fisher, Tiffany Haddish, Albert Hammond Jr., Quincy Jones, Wiz Khalifa, Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha, Kelly Rowland, Timbaland, Justin Tranter, and Usher were in attendance.
City of Hope is a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Each year, the organization recognizes a philanthropic leader whose work has fundamentally impacted music, film or entertainment. The coveted Spirit of Life® award is its highest honor, having been given to such noted figures as Quincy Jones, Mo Ostin, Clive Davis, Frances W. Preston, Shelli and Irving Azoff, Doug Morris, and Sir Lucian Grainge.
For more information about donating to City of Hope, please visit CityofHope.org.
About Jon Platt
Jon Platt is chairman and chief executive officer of Warner/Chappell Music, the longest-standing major music publishing company in the world. Over the course of an extraordinary career — beginning as a teenaged DJ in Denver, climbing the ranks at EMI Music Publishing, joining Warner/Chappell in 2012, and rising to his current post in 2015 — Platt has championed everyone from JAY-Z to Beyoncé, from Kanye West to Drake, from Usher to Rihanna, and from Brandy to Janet Jackson.
For more than two decades, Platt has demonstrated a gift for recognizing great songwriters early and providing the environment for their creativity to flourish over long, successful careers. He is also well known as an influential advocate for songwriters’ rights and an inspiring mentor for the next generation of executives.
Under Platt’s global leadership, Warner/Chappell’s “focus on putting songwriters first is putting Warner/Chappell first.” The accomplishments of its songwriters have earned the company many top industry accolades, including Publisher of the Year at BMI’s Pop Awards and R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, and all four of ASCAP’s most prestigious honors: the Pop, Rhythm & Soul, Latin and, for five years running, the Country Awards. The company has broken records and made impressive market share gains in territories around the world, including being named the No.1 music publisher in Billboard’s quarterly airplay rankings.
Platt has served as vice chairman of the board of directors for the MusiCares Foundation and sits on the boards of the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, the Motown Museum and the Living Legends Foundation. His family actively supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation — where Platt’s wife, Angie, serves on the JDRF Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors and the international board of directors. In 2005, he launched the Big Jon Platt Scholarship Program, annually awarding three high school students from his hometown with college scholarships.
Platt has been featured on the Ebony Power 100 list and was named BRE Magazine’s “Man of the Year.” He has received the Visionary Award at the SESAC Pop Music Awards and been honored as the Music Visionary of the Year by the UJA-Federation of New York. In 2017, he was presented with Morehouse College’s Candle Award in Music, Business and Entertainment, the same year as Usher and Tyler Perry.
About City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group
Inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope and motivated by the institution’s commitment to innovative medical research and compassionate patient care, a group of key industry executives founded the charity’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group in 1973. In its 45-year history, the group has raised more than $118 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most important figures in the music and entertainment industry.
Recent past honorees include Coran Capshaw, founder of Red Light Management; Joel A. Katz, chair of Global Entertainment and Media Practice of Greenberg Traurig; Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group; Frances W. Preston, former president and chief executive officer of BMI Music; Lia Vollack, president of Columbia Live Stage; Shelli and Irving Azoff, chairman and chief executive officer of Azoff MSG Entertainment; Eddy Cue, senior vice president of Apple’s Internet Software Services; Rob Light, head of the music department, partner and managing director of Creative Artists Agency; and Doug Morris, former chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment.
About City of Hope
City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with locations throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution.
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source:
Summer Wilkie
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Yvette Noel-Schure
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Andy Gelb / Elyse Weissman
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