DUARTE, Calif., April 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases, announced today that its Music, Film and Entertainment Industry group will present the 2018 Spirit of Life^® Award to Jon Platt, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Warner/Chappell Music. The Spirit of Life^® Award is City of Hope’s highest honor, and each year recognizes a philanthropic leader whose work has fundamentally impacted music, film or entertainment. The award is one of the most prestigious in the music industry, having been given to such noted figures as Mo Ostin, Clive Davis, Quincy Jones, Frances W. Preston, Shelli and Irving Azoff, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Doug Morris, and Sir Lucian Grainge.

Platt will be presented with the award at a black-tie gala dinner to be held on October 11 in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.cityofhope.org.

“City of Hope is an extraordinary place that doesn’t just treat the body, it also gives hope and nourishment to the soul," Platt said. "I’m inspired by the doctors, scientists and nurses who are fighting diseases with such intense urgency. Their compassion, alongside the bravery and determination of patients, has led to amazing discoveries and transformed lives.

“Many of us have been affected by the diseases and disorders that City of Hope is striving to cure, which makes this cause both personal and universal. Being chosen to receive this award is a great honor, and I take seriously the responsibility of leading our industry’s campaign to support City of Hope's vital work. October's event will be unforgettable. Many of my friends have already agreed to be involved, and it will be a celebration of our commitment to make a difference,” he added.

“City of Hope is proud to honor Jon Platt; not just because of his deep commitment to our work, but because he is at the forefront of a new generation of leaders who are champions of compassion and collaboration,” said Robert W. Stone, President and Chief Executive Officer of City of Hope. “The music, film, and entertainment industries have long been generous and essential supporters of City of Hope, and we are excited to be partnering with Jon for this year’s Spirit of Life^® campaign.”

About Jon Platt
Platt is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Warner/Chappell Music, the longest-standing major music publishing company in the world, as well as a member of Warner Music Group’s Board of Directors. Over the course of an extraordinary career - beginning as a teenaged DJ in Denver, climbing the ranks at EMI Music Publishing, joining Warner/Chappell in 2012, and rising to his current post in 2015 - Platt has championed everyone from JAY-Z to Beyoncé, from Kanye West to Drake, from Usher to Rihanna, and from Brandy to Janet Jackson.

For more than two decades, Platt has demonstrated a gift for recognizing great songwriters early and providing the environment for their creativity to flourish over long, successful careers. He is also well known as an influential advocate for songwriters’ rights and an inspiring mentor for the next generation of executives.

Under Platt’s global leadership, Warner/Chappell’s “focus on putting songwriters first is putting Warner/Chappell first.” The accomplishments of its songwriters have earned the company many top industry awards, including being named Publisher of the Year at BMI’s Pop Awards and R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, and all four of ASCAP’s most prestigious ceremonies: the Pop, Rhythm & Soul, Latin and, for five years running, the Country Awards. The company has broken records and made impressive market share gains in territories around the world, including being named No.1 music publisher in Billboard’s quarterly airplay rankings.

Platt has served as vice chairman of the board of directors for the MusiCares Foundation and sits on the boards of the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, the Motown Museum, and the Living Legends Foundation. His family actively supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation — where Jon’s wife, Angie, serves on the JDRF Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors and the International Board of Directors. In 2005, he launched the Big Jon Platt Scholarship Program, annually awarding three high school students from his hometown with college scholarships.

Platt has been featured on the Ebony Power 100 list and was named BRE Magazine’s “Man of the Year”. He has received the Visionary Award at the SESAC Pop Music Awards and been honored as the Music Visionary of the Year by the UJA-Federation of New York. In 2017, he was presented with Morehouse College’s Candle Award in Music, Business, and Entertainment, the same year as Usher and Tyler Perry.

About City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group
Inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope and motivated by the institution's commitment to innovative medical research and compassionate patient care, a group of key industry executives founded the charity’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group in 1973.

In its 45-year history, the group has raised more than $118 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most important figures in the music and entertainment industry.

Recent past honorees include Coran Capshaw, founder of Red Light Management; Joel A. Katz, chair of Global Entertainment and Media Practice of Greenberg Traurig; Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group; Frances W. Preston, former president and chief executive officer of BMI Music; Lia Vollack, president of Columbia Live Stage; Shelli and Irving Azoff, chairman and chief executive officer of Azoff MSG Entertainment; Eddy Cue, senior vice president of Apple's Internet Software Services; Rob Light, head of the music department, partner and managing director of Creative Artists Agency (CAA); and Doug Morris, former chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment.

About City of Hope
City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with community practice sites throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Letisia Marquez
800-888-5323
lemarquez@coh.org

James Steven
james.steven@wmg.com
Summer Wilkie
summer.wilkie@wmg.com  
212-275-2000