Steve Stoute

Steve Stoute is the founder and CEO of the innovative and industry-leading marketing firm Translation. Steve founded Translation in 2004, with the belief that Fortune 500 companies were missing an opportunity to create a deeper connection with consumers – a connection rooted in the idea that today’s consumer is more complex than their demographic might suggest. For more than a decade, Steve has worked to identify and activate a new generation of consumers on behalf of iconic brands like State Farm, Jeep and the National Basketball Association – helping them thrive in the changing cultural climate.

From 1990 to 1999, Stoute was an executive at several leading labels in the music industry. At Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Stoute served as President of the Urban Music division and executive vice president, producing best-selling albums from U2, Eve and Limp Bizkit, as well as Eminem’s debut album, “The Slim Shady LP.” Stoute has also produced several major motion picture soundtracks. Prior to joining Interscope, Stoute was president of Urban Music for Sony Music Entertainment, where he played an instrumental role in launching the music careers of Mariah Carey, Will Smith and Nas. Stoute was also former manager to Nas and Mary J. Blige.

Stoute is the founder of Translation. With a diverse client roster that includes brands such as McDonald's, State Farm, Hewlett-Packard, Target, Reebok, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co and Lady Gaga, Stoute has greatly influenced the way blue chip marketers and superstar artists connect with consumers. Whether he’s turning a jingle into a hit single for Wrigley’s, marrying the work of fashion icon Valentino with technology from Samsung, or making Gwen Stefani relevant to mothers with cameras, some of today’s most innovative marketing efforts are the brainchild of Stoute. His strategic insights were behind McDonald’s recent broad, long-term partnership with LeBron James, Samsung’s limited-edition Beyoncé-branded B’Phone, McDonald’s iconic “I’m Loving It” campaign featuring Justin Timberlake, and Tommy Hilfiger’s True Star fragrance for women with Beyoncé.

Translation is a full service transcultural advertising agency that focuses on delivering prescient ‘game changing’ strategies and inspiring clever creative to increase client value among target constituencies. In 2008, Stoute expanded Translation’s footprint by partnering with Shawn Carter (aka Jay-Z) to co-found Translation Advertising, which specializes in the multicultural market. Translation believes that its ability to manage ‘cultural’ nuances allows consumers to know the difference between marketing communications intended to relate to them versus those that intend to ‘sell to them.' Translation's expertise in Branded Entertainment alliances helps to strengthen and codify this bond between brands and consumers through proximity, alignment, and partnerships to achieve rich and measurable engagement.

In 2009 the American Advertising Federation inducted Stoute into their Advertising Hall of Achievement, the industry's premier award for outstanding advertising professionals age 40 and under. In 2010, Steve was recognized as “Innovator of the Year” at the ADCOLOR awards ceremony, an initiative launched by the ADCOLOR Industry Coalition, to promote increased diversity in the advertising, marketing and media industries.

In 2005, Stoute became the Managing Director and CEO of Carol's Daughter, a complete line of hair and body care products made with love and natural ingredients. He formed a powerful board of investors including Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-Z, Jimmy Iovine and Mary J. Blige. His leadership has enabled the company to grow immensely and has brought successful partnerships such as Disney's "The Princess & The Frog" via a collection of hair and body products for children and HSN via a exclusive fragrance launch with Mary J. Blige.

Stoute’s inspiring personal success story has been recognized and celebrated on TV and in print. He has appeared in the critically acclaimed HBO series and book “The Black List Project,” featuring interviews and portraits with leading African American figures on being black in America. He was also chosen as one of four extraordinary Americans featured in Target’s dare.dream.do national multi-cultural campaign in honor of Black History Month.

Steve Stoute will be releasing his first book The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy on September 8, 2011 (Gotham Books). In the book, Stoute draws from his diverse background in the music industry and brand marketing to chronicle how an upstart art form - street poetry set to beats - came to define urban culture as the embodiment of cool. Stoute's understanding of how hip-hop morphed into mainstream culture enabled him to relate to a new generation of thinking which catapulted him to the forefront of pop culture - where he remains today.

Steve Stoute is involved in a variety of civic causes. In 2008, he joined forces with Mary J. Blige to co-found the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN), whose mission is to educate, and empower women through scholarships, grants and career development opportunities. In 2009 they opened their first facility, the Mary J. Blige Center for Women in Yonkers, New York.

In addition, Steve has also played a key role in the development of minority recruitment campaigns for both the Fire Department of the City of New York and the New York City Police Department. Stoute received a 2004 Humanitarian Award from the FDNY for his work on their “Heroes Wanted” campaign. In 2003, he served as the co-chairman of the New York City Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit program offering minority children an opportunity to experience life outside the confines of the inner city.