GLOBAL MUSIC ICON FAT JOE

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Roc Nation Speaker Series

hroughout the school year, LIU students enrolled at the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment enjoy in-person access to many of the biggest names in the music, sports and entertainment world. Global icons and industry leading executives frequently visit campus as guests at the Roc Nation Speaker Series. Recent guests include global music icon Fat Joe, Fanatics CEO and Philadelphia 76ers owner Michael Rubin, NFL executive Marissa Solis and Roc Nation publishing executive Andrew Gould

The stellar group of industry leaders join a long list of household names in sports, music and entertainment world, including: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Roc Nation CEO Jay Brown, Hard Rock President Keith Sheldon, Sony Music Publishing CEO Jon Platt, NBA star-turned-pundit Jalen Rose, Roc Nation COO Desiree Perez and Puma’s Global Director of Brand and Marketing Adam Petrick.

In his remarks to students, Fat Joe cautioned them against the temptation of changing careers when they don’t see immediate success.

“You should never give up,” he said. “You’ve got to stay in the game.”

Michael Rubin, who leads the world's largest licensed sports merchandise retailer in Fanatics, echoed Fat Joe’s exhortation for students to stay resolute and determined.

“I believe you can do anything you set your mind to. If you just focus on setting your mind to something, you can accomplish a lot,” Rubin said. “If you get the strategy right, the team right and you’re unrelenting, I think you’ll win all the time.”

Gould spoke with students about the legal aspects of the music industry. He shared his advice from his more than 15 years of experience in music publishing, offering insight on music contracts and royalty types. Gould’s previous publishing roles included a leadership role with Downtown and an A&R position at BMG; his signings include Andra Day and Lewis Capaldi and the placement of the Zedd/Maren Morris song, “The Middle.”

Marissa Solis, Senior Vice President of Global Brand & Consumer Marketing for the NFL, encouraged students to follow their dreams, work hard and focus on solving problems. Solis pointed to authenticity and hard work as hallmarks of her career 30-year career in consumer marketing that featured leadership roles at Frito-Lay, Pepsi and now the NFL.

“If you have an inkling of what you want to be… stick to that and then just be a sponge. Learn, talk to people, read,” she said. “There's problems everywhere in this world. And if you come to the table to solve one of those problems, you're going to be super valued.”

Shari Bryant shared her inspiring journey from beginning of her career as a 16-year-old intern during the early days of Roc-A-Fella Records in 1999 to her current role as Co-President of Roc Nation Label.

“The level of training I got as an intern is similar to what you’re getting here at the Roc Nation school in learning all the different verticals,” Bryant told students. “Back then we didn’t have these opportunities for what we’re creating today.”

Renowned artists and industry leaders serve as guest speakers, providing valuable insight and inspiration to students enrolled at the Roc Nation School. Recent speakers include Fat Joe, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum–selling artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist (opposite page) and Andrew Gould, Executive Vice President of Publishing at Roc Nation (top photo). Bottom Photo from left to right: Clayton Durant, Lenny Santiago ("Lenny S.") and Andrew Gould.