October 9, 2017 | In Partnership with Manchester Orchestra, 1 Million 4 Anna, and the Middle Tennessee State University Music Business Program. #pandorachallenge
How might Manchester Orchestra, their listeners, and fanbase support 1 Million 4 Anna?
Over 2 weeks, 160 MTSU students utilized music, data, technology and marketing to help the band Manchester Orchestra and the nonprofit 1 Million 4 Anna work together. This challenge was part of the Real Industry Pandora Challenge program, engaging the next-generation of leaders in music business and marketing to achieve social impact.
Challenge participants had access to Pandora’s Artist Marketing Platform (AMP), Next Big Sound and the 76 million monthly active listeners tuning into Pandora. They devised ways to leverage AMP and data from Next Big Sound to engage Pandora’s listeners and bring awareness to the fight against Ewing sarcoma in young people with the 1 Million 4 Anna Foundation, having real-world impact and influence.
“I am honored that Real Industry chose MTSU students to participate in their program. It will provide our students with real-world experience and exposure to data and best practices that they might otherwise receive. In addition, this day will be special because Manchestra Orchestra is managed by Nashville’s Vector Management. One of our alums and former adjunct professor, Jon Romero, serves as Vector’s head of Digital Marketing and Strategy and will attend Monday’s event to help our students succeed in this challenge.”
In 2009, 16-year-old Anna Basso was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a bone and soft tissue cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. Her family created 1 Million 4 Anna in an attempt to heal her body and spirit. Family, friends and strangers alike pledged to pray for Anna every day at 12:12 p.m., resulting in more than 1 million prayers said in her name. Although Anna’s fight ended after 18 months, the foundation’s work carries on, as does Anna’s legacy.
Members of Manchester Orchestra were excited to have MTSU students working on social impact through music marketing.
“The Basso family is basically the reason that I create music. It’s about so much more than vanity and ticket sales. It’s about being a part of something that is bigger than you can even comprehend. Helping people without ever knowing you were helping them. When that happens, those people actually help you.”
MTSU Recording Industry students work Monday, Oct. 9 2017, in the Student Union Ballroom on a social media marketing campaign on behalf of the music group Manchester Orchestra as part of the Pandora Challenge. The campaign will help the 1 Million 4 Anna Foundation, which is dedicated to fighting Ewing sarcoma and supported by the music group.
