| Rob Stone | |
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American entrepreneur Rob Stone |
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| Born | July 12, 1968 |
| Occupation | Founder and Co-CEO of Cornerstone Promotion, Co-Founder FADER Media |
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.
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Upon graduation in 1990, Stone joined SBK Records 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:[1]
| “ | Stone has been at the promotion forefront of the hip-hop revolution for the last decade. | ” |
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.[2] In 2010, Stone interviewed keynote speaker Pharrell Williams at music industry conference midem in France.[3]
In June 1996, Stone founded Cornerstone, the New York Based creative lifestyle marketing firm that is "charting a new direction for the music industry."[4] 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.[5] 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 Williams to create a new branding agency. The joint venture combines Williams' creative assets with Cornerstone's network of marketing resources.[6]
In 1998, Stone co-founded The FADER, Inc. with Jon Cohen. The FADER, Inc. publishes award-winning magazine The FADER, which the New York Times has dubbed the new music-and-fashion bible.[7] With its 39th issue, the FADER made publishing history when it became the first full magazine to be available on iTunes.[8] 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.”
Successful campaigns under Stone’s direction at Cornerstone include Nike’s “Better Than I’ve Ever Been”. 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.[9] Among Cornerstone's music related intiatives are Green Label Sound by Mountain Dew[10] [11] 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.[12]
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. [13]