NEW YORK - September 10, 2009 - Following a competitive review, the Country Music Association (CMA) has named MS&L, one of the world's leading communications firms, its exclusive sales, marketing and branding partner.
MS&L will work with CMA primarily on entertainment marketing, branding and sponsor partnerships with an eye towards expanding the relationship into assistance with research, digital communications and program content creation and execution. The sponsorship sales and branding effort will be designed to support the country music genre and the constituents of CMA, including artists, management, music labels and country-based networks and media.
"Following a period of research, discovery and competitive selection, CMA decided that MS&L's communications, entertainment and branding expertise will help us achieve our marketing goals, including expanding our fan base, identifying and securing strong business partners and elevating our brand," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese.
MS&L will be charged with developing and marketing sponsorship packages around premier CMA properties including the CMA Awards, held annually in November and the CMA Music Festival, held annually in June. In addition, MS&L will work with CMA to develop new CMA equities to offer more opportunities for brands and companies to partner with country music, an American staple and one of the fastest growing and evolving music genres today.
"Our goal is to work with CMA to support and grow this vital and vibrant art form," said Bruce MacKenzie, SVP and head of MS&L's entertainment marketing, branding and sponsorship sales group. "We are excited and proud to be a partner in this new chapter in CMA's history and to help take the organization to new levels."
MS&L has also announced that Sheri Warnke, based in Nashville, has joined the agency as vice president of strategic partnerships to help spearhead its CMA efforts. Sheri was most recently at Playboy Enterprises as regional sales manager. Warnke is an industry expert, having served on the Board of Directors of the Country Music Association, Leadership Music, TJ Martell Foundation, and Gilda's Club, as well as maintaining memberships in organizations such as CMA, NARAS, and the National Advertising Federation. Prior to her role at Playboy Enterprises, she spent more than 15 years in high-level consumer magazine publishing roles including four years as the VP/Group Publisher of Country Weekly and Country Music Magazines.
"I am so excited for this opportunity. There is no better way to reach mainstream consumers than to align with the country's number one music format," said Warnke. "No other music genre offers a more passionate fan base and I'm looking forward to showcasing these equities and building new partnerships for CMA."
About CMA
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. More than 6,000 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization's objectives are to advance the growth of Country Music around the world and to demonstrate it as a viable medium to advertisers, consumers, and the media through CMA's core initiatives - CMA Music Festival and the CMA Awards. For information about CMA and the Association's initiatives and events, visit www.CMAworld.com.
About MS&L
MS&L is a leading global communications firm and part of MS&L Worldwide, a network of communications brands and consultancies with 54 offices in North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia, as well as an extensive affiliate network. The agency specializes in using research, insights and technology to create and execute powerful communications strategies that are critical to client success. With a unique combination of advice, advocacy and action, MS&L delivers measurable business results for many of the world's largest companies and most successful brands.
MS&L Worldwide (mslworldwide.com) is a member of the Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: FR0000130577), the world's fourth largest communications group, and a global leader in digital and online advertising, media consulting, and healthcare communications. With some 45,000 professionals in 104 countries, the Groupe's activities cover advertising through three global advertising networks: Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, as well as through its two multi-hub networks Fallon Worldwide and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; media agencies with two worldwide networks ZenithOptimedia and Starcom MediaVest Group; and marketing services, including digital and interactive communications through Digitas, relationship and direct marketing, public and media relations, corporate and financial communications, multicultural communications, and event communications. The Groupe is also the world leader in healthcare communications. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com.
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