Rob Stone (entrepreneur)
Encyclopedia
Rob Stone is an American music, media and branding executive based in New York City. The New York native attended the University of Albany in 1986 where he studied marketing and finance.
and rose to director of promotion. He also served as vice president of promotion at EMI Records
. In May 1994, Stone joined music executive Clive Davis
at Arista Records
who said: While at Arista, he worked closely with artists such as Sean “Puffy” Combs, Outkast
, Usher
, Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans. Stone became an authority on music promotion, often quoted and called on for opinion pieces. In 2010, Stone interviewed keynote speaker Pharrell Williams at music industry conference midem in France.
to create a new branding agency. The joint venture combines Williams' creative assets with Cornerstone's network of marketing resources.
, which the New York Times has dubbed the new music-and-fashion bible. With its 39th issue, the FADER made publishing history when it became the first full magazine to be available on iTunes. The magazine also produces FADER TV.
In 2002, Stone co-founded FADER Label
with Jon Cohen. Its roster includes Matt and Kim
, Editors, Neon Indian, Bird Monster, Saul Williams and Yuna
.
In the Spring of 2003, Stone and Cohen launched FADER Films, an artist-friendly production division that has released critically acclaimed motion pictures, including “Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius ‘Hook’ Mitchell” and “On The Outs.”
. Commissioned by the sportswear company to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Air Force One shoes, Cornerstone executive produced the song, secured Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One and Rakim to collaborate, and oversaw production with Rick Rubin. The track was nominated for the Grammy Award for "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group." My Drive Thru
was a collaborative single by The Strokes lead vocalist Julian Casablancas, American singer-songwriter Santigold, and The Neptunes producer and N.E.R.D member Pharrell Williams. The song was created for Converse's centennial and was released in June 2008. Among Cornerstone's music related intiatives are Green Label Sound by Mountain Dew
and Rubber Tracks, a recording studio managed by Converse
in Brooklyn, NY.
In late 2010, Pepsi's chief engagement officer hired Cornerstone to do the creative on the brand's campaign, Pepsi MAX NFL Audible. TV spots aired during January 2011 NFL playoff games and online, featuring rappers Big Boi
, Lupe Fiasco
, B.o.B. and Talib Kweli
.
In early 2011, Stone announced a partnership with The Children’s Cancer Association’s music medicine program, MyMusicRx. MyMusicRx is a fundraising tool that delivers music medicine to critically ill kids and teens worldwide, financed by the purchase of a song on iTunes.
Background
Upon graduation in 1990, Stone joined SBK RecordsSBK Records
SBK Records was a record label of the EMI Group that was founded in 1988.Stephen Swid, Martin Bandier, and Charles Koppelman formed the production company SBK in 1989 after they purchased the music publishing division of CBS Records in 1986....
and rose to director of promotion. He also served as vice president of promotion at EMI Records
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
. In May 1994, Stone joined music executive Clive Davis
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
at Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
who said: While at Arista, he worked closely with artists such as Sean “Puffy” Combs, Outkast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
, Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
, Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans. Stone became an authority on music promotion, often quoted and called on for opinion pieces. In 2010, Stone interviewed keynote speaker Pharrell Williams at music industry conference midem in France.
Cornerstone
In June 1996, Stone founded Cornerstone, the New York Based creative lifestyle marketing firm that is "charting a new direction for the music industry." He was joined by business-partner and co-CEO Jon Cohen in 1997. Cornerstone was recognized in 2007 for its integration of hip music names in corporate branding campaigns. Their work with clients like Converse, Microsoft, Nike, Xbox, Mountain Dew and Diageo has given Cornerstone a reputation as a “pioneer in the movement” of branding and music." In 2010, Stone and Cohen partnered with longtime collaborator Pharrell WilliamsPharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams , commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music...
to create a new branding agency. The joint venture combines Williams' creative assets with Cornerstone's network of marketing resources.
The FADER, Inc.
In 1998, Stone co-founded The FADER, Inc. with Jon Cohen. The FADER, Inc. publishes award-winning magazine The FADERThe Fader
The FADER, or FADER, is an United States-based music/culture/fashion magazine that covers hip-hop, reggae, independent rock, pop and dance music from around the world.-Overview:...
, which the New York Times has dubbed the new music-and-fashion bible. With its 39th issue, the FADER made publishing history when it became the first full magazine to be available on iTunes. The magazine also produces FADER TV.
In 2002, Stone co-founded FADER Label
Fader Label
Fader Label is a record label out of New York City, New York. It was founded in 2002 and is operated by media and marketing company Cornerstone Promotions, an outlet of The Fader Magazine. After years of releasing compilations, FADER Label has also started to release original music...
with Jon Cohen. Its roster includes Matt and Kim
Matt and Kim
Matt & Kim are a dance punk duo residing in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. The group was formed in 2005 and is composed of Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino...
, Editors, Neon Indian, Bird Monster, Saul Williams and Yuna
Yuna (singer)
Yunalis Zarai or commercially known as Yuna, a Malaysian singer-songwriter.Yuna is conquering Malaysia with her acoustic guitar and winning folk pop tunes – enchanting listeners with the gentle warble in her voice, a flair for old-timey pop songcraft, a bit of Feist’s soul and subtlety, and...
.
In the Spring of 2003, Stone and Cohen launched FADER Films, an artist-friendly production division that has released critically acclaimed motion pictures, including “Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius ‘Hook’ Mitchell” and “On The Outs.”
Campaigns
Successful campaigns under Stone’s direction at Cornerstone include Nike’s “Better Than I’ve Ever Been”Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)
"Classic " is Grammy nominated collaboration song between Kanye West, Nas, Rakim and KRS-One that is produced by Rick Rubin. The song was released as a single on February 20, 2007 by Nike Records. It was performed live at the Nike Air Force Ones 25th anniversary party shown on MTV2...
. Commissioned by the sportswear company to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Air Force One shoes, Cornerstone executive produced the song, secured Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One and Rakim to collaborate, and oversaw production with Rick Rubin. The track was nominated for the Grammy Award for "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group." My Drive Thru
My Drive Thru
"My Drive Thru" is a collaborative single by The Strokes lead vocalist Julian Casablancas, American singer-songwriter Santigold, and The Neptunes producer and N.E.R.D member Pharrell Williams...
was a collaborative single by The Strokes lead vocalist Julian Casablancas, American singer-songwriter Santigold, and The Neptunes producer and N.E.R.D member Pharrell Williams. The song was created for Converse's centennial and was released in June 2008. Among Cornerstone's music related intiatives are Green Label Sound by Mountain Dew
and Rubber Tracks, a recording studio managed by Converse
Converse
Converse is an American shoe company that has been making shoes, lifestyle fashion and athletic apparel since the early 20th century. Converse is one of the earliest pioneers in the sneaker and sporting good industry founded in 1908.- 1908–1941: Early days :...
in Brooklyn, NY.
In late 2010, Pepsi's chief engagement officer hired Cornerstone to do the creative on the brand's campaign, Pepsi MAX NFL Audible. TV spots aired during January 2011 NFL playoff games and online, featuring rappers Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
, Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
, B.o.B. and Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
.
In early 2011, Stone announced a partnership with The Children’s Cancer Association’s music medicine program, MyMusicRx. MyMusicRx is a fundraising tool that delivers music medicine to critically ill kids and teens worldwide, financed by the purchase of a song on iTunes.
Awards
- 2010 OMMA Awards – Integrated Online Campaign: Nike Sportswear + FADER Presents Pitch Perfect
- 2009 FOLIO Awards: Best Consumer, Entertainment, Single Article Gold Winner: “David Byrne Icon Cover Story” - The FADERThe FaderThe FADER, or FADER, is an United States-based music/culture/fashion magazine that covers hip-hop, reggae, independent rock, pop and dance music from around the world.-Overview:...
- 2008 FOLIO Awards: Gold Eddie Award for Best full Issue (March 2008) of a consumer/entertainment magazine - The FADERThe FaderThe FADER, or FADER, is an United States-based music/culture/fashion magazine that covers hip-hop, reggae, independent rock, pop and dance music from around the world.-Overview:...
- min's Best of the Web Awards 2010 – Marketing Campaign: The Levi's/FADER Fort
- Effie Worldwide 2009 – Fashion & Style: Converse Connectivity
- NYER Best Practice in Leadership Award 2007 - Cornerstone Promotion/The FADER