Pepsi Launches Powerful Platform Supporting Emerging Musical Artists: Pepsi Pulse Artist Spotlight, in Partnership with Complex Media

NEW YORK and PURCHASE, N.Y., Aug. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pepsi announced a dynamic new platform in partnership with Complex Media that supports some of today's leading emerging artists, Pepsi Pulse Artist Spotlight. The initiative gives a carefully selected handful of breakout musicians the pivotal tools and resources they need to take their careers to the next level. Pepsi Pulse Artist Spotlight's inaugural release, a stylized yet highly personal video for "Am I Wrong," the globally renowned song by Norwegian artists Nico and Vinz, launches today.

A joint creation by Pepsi and Complex Media, Pepsi Pulse Artist Spotlight is the latest offering from Pepsi Pulse, an interactive, socially-powered content hub that covers music, sports, pop culture and entertainment.

Created to help emerging artists to leverage the power of Pepsi's strong music stage, Pepsi Pulse Artist Spotlight provides artists across all music genres with creative collaboration and video production from some of today's most renowned producers; powerful distribution, including social media amplification; and live events. The program will introduce content from more than five artists throughout the year, including Nico and Vinz, Mayaeni and Sebastian Mikael.

"Through the Pepsi Pulse Artist Spotlight we're excited to leverage the global stage that only Pepsi can provide to help accelerate growth for a group of extremely talented emerging artists," said Javier Farfan, Senior Director, Culture and Music, Pepsi. "For the first time ever we're working with labels and artists from the ground up, and creating awesome, buzzworthy content that stays true to the artist's vision."

"We're thrilled to join with Pepsi to serve as a kind of talent incubator that turbocharges the careers of some of the world's most exciting musical talent," said Moksha Fitzgibbons, Chief Revenue Officer, Complex Media. "We're creating an entirely new type of branded content that truly starts from the ground up. We see ourselves as angel investors who provide young musicians with that crucial assist – from creative support and execution to the kind of powerful distribution needed to actually breakout in today's marketplace."

The first video from the Pepsi Pulse Artist Spotlight features Nico and Vinz, whose Top 5, multi-platinum single "Am I Wrong," is the most Shazamed song in the world. In the video, the artists are followed as they land in the US and hit the American music scene.

Nico and Vinz, artists with Warner Bros. Records, collaborated intensively with Pepsi and Complex to bring to life via video their introduction to the US market. The release includes footage of intimate studio recording sessions; the performers taking in NYC sights and engaging with their US fans; as well as a live stage performance.

Nico & Vinz said, "Being a part of the Pepsi campaign is truly inspiring. To be recognized by such a global brand at this stage of our careers, is a testament to what hard work and a vision can result in."

About PepsiCo:

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2013, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth in shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

About Complex Media:

Complex Media (www.complexmediainc.com) is the largest multiplatform lifestyle destination for young males, with 110 million unique monthly visitors and 1.2 billion monthly pageviews (both per Google Analytics). The company has a collective of lifestyle sites for men, anchored by a flagship hub, Complex.com, the online home of Complex magazine (founded in 2002). Complex Media consists of a carefully curated family of sites that are vetted for editorial integrity and consistency. Complex Media has a powerful social platform, with more than 30% of its traffic derived from social networks. The company offers cutting-edge video and industry leading branded content opportunities for marketers, and works with many of the world's top brands.

Contact:
Mario Ruiz
MRPR
[email protected]
917-864-5370

SOURCE Complex Media