Marriott Rewards Announces Major Sponsorship Of SXSW Music

BETHESDA, Md., March 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Rewards, the award-winning loyalty program of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), announces its first-ever major sponsorship of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) 2016 Music and Conference Festival. Expanding on its partnership with global music leader Universal Music Group (UMG) that launched in June of last year, Marriott and UMG are creating a first-of-its-kind experience taking over areas of the JW Marriott Austin hotel during SXSW Music, featuring headline performances by Grammy-nominee Ryan Adams and the critically-acclaimed Avett Brothers.

JW Marriott Austin – the city's most luxurious modern gem located in the heart of downtown – has been established as the "Music is Universal" headquarters, housing all of UMG's activities throughout the festival which include a pool party, morning yoga and daily showcases with DNCE, Vince Staples, The Strumbellas, Grace Mitchell, Banners, BJ the Chicago Kid and many others. The events will be open to SXSW badge holders, Marriott Rewards members and hotel guests. Additionally, Marriott Rewards members can receive special access to these performances by showing their member number on the Marriott Mobile app to gain entry, regardless of whether or not they have SXSW badges.*

Music fans not in attendance at the 2016 SXSW Music Festival will still have the opportunity to engage with exclusive UMG content, including performance by artists via Marriott Rewards' digital, social, and in-room channels. Exclusive content including artist interviews and behind-the-scenes footage will live on Marriott Rewards' digital entertainment hub, http://thatsrewarding.marriott.com/, and will also be available on-demand through Marriott's in-room entertainment platform at select hotels.

"Our SXSW Music sponsorship and global partnership with UMG enable Marriott Rewards members to gain access to intimate and exclusive music experiences," said Jennifer Utz, ‎Vice President, Buzz Marketing & Partnerships at Marriott International. "And more than that, our elite members who are staying at JW Marriott Austin during SXSW Music will have incredible opportunities to be up close and personal with UMG artists, making them feel like they're #WithTheBand."

"UMG's partnership with Marriott connects us with some of the most discerning travelers around the world," said L.J. Gutierrez, General Manager of Brand Partnerships at Universal Music Group. "In taking over areas of the JW Marriott Austin, we will bring together the global traveler and the universal language of music in one amazing venue to create intimate experiences with artists."

JW Marriott Austin is the JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts' first property in the city. The luxury 34-story hotel offers unrivaled enriching guest experiences in an upscale and distinctly local setting.  The hotel boasts a spectacular fifth-floor pool deck and bar, some of the largest guest rooms in the city with stellar views, and three signature restaurants that contribute to Austin's burgeoning culinary scene. 

*Special access is for Marriott Rewards members only and is subject to availability. Must be age 21+ to attend evening performances and 18+ to attend daytime performances.

About Marriott Rewards:  Marriott Rewards is Marriott International's award-winning loyalty program spanning 17 brands and 4,000 properties worldwide. Marriott Rewards is free to join and has no blackout dates and members can earn and redeem points at Marriott International properties around the world and at Marriott Rewards exclusive luxury partner The Ritz-Carlton®.  Members can also redeem points for frequent flyer miles, cruises, car rentals, merchandise and more. By making rewards accessible with a modern, easy approach, Marriott Rewards continues to be a leader in the industry. Marriott Rewards has won the Freddie Award for "Best Hotel Rewards Program in the Americas" eight years in a row and the 2011 and 2010 Frequent Travel Award for "Best Hotel Rewards Program." In addition, the program has been named best hotel rewards program by the readers of U.S. News & World Report, About.com, Business Traveler, Global Traveler, Executive Travel and BusinessWeek magazines. To enroll and for more information about Marriott Rewards, guests can visit MarriottRewards.com.

About Marriott International, Inc.: Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,400 properties in 87 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  

About Universal Music Group:  Universal Music Group is the global music leader, with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's premier music publishing operations worldwide. Universal Music Group's labels include A&M Records, Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note Records, Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol Records, Capitol Records Nashville, Caroline, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, EMI Records Nashville, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Harvest, Interscope Records, Island Records, Machete Music, Manhattan, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group, Virgin Records, Virgin EMI Records, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division and Bravado, its merchandising company. Universal Music Group is a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.

About SXSW Music: The South by Southwest® Music and Media Conference (SXSW®) is a six-day event held every March in Austin.  The conference offers unmatched access to ideas and global viewpoints on an increasingly borderless industry. It aims to educate and inspire musicians and professionals alike, with sessions attended by over 30,000 registrants and showcasing artists. A large multi-industry trade show exhibition, Music Gear Expo and daytime stage performances round out the day while evenings are devoted to the SXSW Music Festival, which showcases over 2,100 acts ranging from the unsigned to the iconic. The 2016 event takes place March 15 - 20 2016. For more information, please visit sxsw.com.

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