Warner/Chappell CEO and Chairman, Jon Platt, goes way back with Pharrell Williams.
When MBW interviewed Platt for a life and career retrospective the other year, Williams told us: “Publishing is a space that still needs a lot more… regulation. Big Jon, though, he operates in a glass building. He doesn’t have anything to hide; he’s incapable of it.”
So it seems appropriate to learn that Williams has been signed up as the first superstar to join Platt in Los Angeles this October for an event benefitting City of Hope, an acclaimed nonprofit clinical research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases.
Eleven-time Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer Williams will host an Oct. 11 celebration that will see Platt honored with City Of Hope’s prestigious Spirit of Life Award.
Further announcements about the all-star lineup will be made in the coming weeks.
“I’m excited that my one of my closest friends and an iconic artist, Pharrell, has agreed to host the October gala.”
Jon Platt, Warner/Chappell (pictured)
“I’m honored to join my good friend Jon to support the groundbreaking and life-saving advances at City of Hope,” said Pharrell. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with this amazing organization before, and I’m looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic event.”
Said Platt: “I’m excited that my one of my closest friends and an iconic artist, Pharrell, has agreed to host the October gala. As a committed philanthropist in his own right, I knew Pharrell would understand the importance of City of Hope’s mission and want to get involved. It’s going to be an amazing evening.”
In 2016, City of Hope honored Williams with the Songs of Hope Legend in Songwriting Award, presented by Clive Davis.
Having worked with a long list of contemporary icons, including Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Justin Timberlake, Ed Sheeran, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Migos, and many others, Williams most recently co-wrote and co-produced “APES**T,” the debut single from The Carters’ first joint album, Everything Is Love, and co-produced Ariana Grande’s much-anticipated album, Sweetener.
The coveted Spirit of Life Award has previously been given to such noted figures as Mo Ostin, Clive Davis, Quincy Jones, Frances W. Preston, Shelli and Irving Azoff, Edgar Bronfman Jr., Doug Morris, and Sir Lucian Grainge.Music Business Worldwide
