New York, NY — May 30, 2017 — Award-winning music sponsorship and experiential agency MAC Presents today announced a multifaceted campaign partnership with Urban Outfitters on behalf of Chicago hip-hop artist Taylor Bennett. The campaign with UO will see Bennett become the ambassador of the retail giant's Pride collection, benefitting GLSEN and its mission to ensure safe and affirming schools for LGBTQ+ students.
The partnership agreement was led by MAC Presents President, Marcie Allen, and VP Partnerships, Kacie Lehman, who specialize in partnering brands with like-minded artists. The two worked with Taylor Bennett's Manager Joseph Cabey, and Bennett's agent Cara Lewis of the C Lewis Group, as well as Urban Outfitters' director of music Ron Ubaldo and global director of creative marketing Stacey Britt Fitzgerald.
"Taylor Bennett represents the future of youth culture by being true to himself and proudly independent in everything he does," says MAC Presents president Marcie Allen. "We're thrilled to celebrate Pride Month with Urban Outfitters as part of a long-term partnership that touches many of Taylor's enterprises."
The digital and in-store campaign with Urban Outfitters will launch in conjunction with Pride month on May 30, and will run through the end of June. Bennett, who came out as a bisexual shortly before the release of his critically acclaimed album, Restoration of an American Idol, has continued to be an inspiration for young fans across the country since first exploding onto the music scene in 2015. Recognizing UO's renewed music initiative, MAC Presents also played a large part in the retail giant's decision to sponsor Bennett's first music video for "Roof Gone" off of Restoration, set to be released exclusively on the brand's YouTube channel in mid-June.
"Honesty and being yourself is something that I believe should always be celebrated—whether it's in hip-hop or everyday life," said Bennett. "As an independent artist and entrepreneur, it's great to find partners like Urban Outfitters who share that core value of recognizing individuality during Pride Month and throughout the year."
"UO is thrilled to build upon our annual celebration of Pride through this collaboration with GLSEN and Taylor Bennett," said Stacey Britt Fitzgerald, Urban Outfitters' Global Director of Creative Marketing. "GLSEN's work is vital in the creation of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ young people and we are honored to contribute to their mission through the sales of the UO Pride collection. Taylor was the perfect partner for this campaign—we've been so inspired by both his talent and his decision to come out; UO was pleased to provide both a platform for his story and support for his music."
Bennett will also perform at a special Pride celebration in his hometown of Chicago at UO's North State Street location on Friday, June 23rd. Additionally, UO will be hosting Pride events in local stores around the globe throughout June and July.
ABOUT TAYLOR BENNETT
Taylor Bennett is an independent rapper and musician from Chicago's South Side. An aspiring rapper since the age of 9, Taylor began self-releasing mixtapes and selling out shows in his hometown by the age of 17. In 2015, he released his formal debut album, Broad Shoulders, featuring collaborations with fellow Chicago musicians Donnie Trumpet, Joey Purp, King Louie and Chance The Rapper. His latest project Restoration of an American Idol dropped Feb. 24, featuring collaborations with Chance, Jeremih, Lil Yachty and Mike WILL Made-It. It was accompanied by a sold-out headlining tour, Taylor's largest to date. A passionate activist and philanthropist, Taylor has been involved with several Chicago advocacy groups, including Kids Off The Block and Pride Action Tank.
ABOUT MAC PRESENTS
For the past thirteen years, MAC Presents has been the leading connector of bands, brands and fans, creating award-winning partnerships, events and experiences for Delta, Bud Light, Citi, Microsoft, Southwest, YouTube, Nielsen, Miller, AT&T, Samsung and others. A New York City-based sponsorship and experiential agency with music at its core, MAC Presents focuses on custom event creation, fully integrated social media programs and branded content. MAC Presents has received numerous awards and accolades including Event Marketer's "It List" of top experiential agencies every year since 2014.
MAC is a six-time recipient ( and 11-time finalist ) of Billboard's Concert Marketing & Promotion Award including back to back wins for Chance the Rapper's Magnificent Coloring Day Festival with Bud Light, Honda and Citi ( 2016 ), Southwest Airlines/Imagine Dragons ( 2015 ) and Citi/Billy Joel ( 2014 ). MAC has been recognized by The CLIO Awards, Event Marketer's EX Awards, MIDEM, Shorty Awards, BizBash, PRO Awards, Event Technology Awards and The Mobile Marketing Awards over the last four years.
ABOUT URBAN OUTFITTERS
Urban Outfitters is a lifestyle retailer dedicated to inspiring customers through a unique combination of product, creativity and cultural understanding. Founded in 1970 in a small space across the street from the University of Pennsylvania, Urban Outfitters now operates over 200 stores in the United States, Canada and Europe, offering experiential retail environments and a well-curated mix of women's, men's, accessories and home product assortments. For more information, visit Urban Outfitters at www.urbanoutfitters.com .
