Universal Music Group & Brands @UMG x @MassAppeal Kicks off Ad Week with a Hip Hop Showcase

This past Monday, Universal Music Group & Brands (UMGB) along with Mass Appeal presented a hip hop showcase during Advertising Week at Irving Plaza, right in the heart of Union Square NYC.

The line-up included Ski Mask the Slump God, Dave East and Pusha T, who replaced Nas on the roster, along with DJ Mick! The night was also sponsored by cocktails from 1800 Tequila.

It was definitely a great start to the annual Advertising Week, which falls on September 25th- 29th this year, brings together marketing, brand, advertising, and technology professionals. Growing each year, it is now in five major cities across the globe: New York, London, Tokyo, Mexico City and Sydney.

The Music Showcase concluded the day which started off with a panel titled: Is Your Brand Prepared for a Hip-Hop Future?; Hip-Hop now being the most popular genre for according to Nielsen.

Also presented by UMGB and Mass Appeal, the panel discussed the evolution of the Hip-Hop, its historic relationship with brands and ways to garner future success.

The Panel was hosted by Mike Tunnicliffe, the EVP, Head of UMGB USA and moderated by Andre Torres, VP, Urban Music, UMG/UME.

Panelists included the top individuals in the game, Ethiopia Habtemariam, President of Motown Records; Sacha Jenkins, CEO of Mass Appeal; Tuma Basa, Global Head of Hip-Hop at Spotify, and Shana Barry, Experiential Manager, Music & Entertainment at Anheuser-Busch Inbev.

Below are some highlights from the night!