Diversity, equity, and inclusion – these are the very foundations of the Steve Jones brand. On a mission to amplify the narratives and rich history of legendary rock icons, this visionary music business executive uses his platform to empower audiences by sharing the hardships and challenges their music idols overcame along their journey.
Steve Jones is a well-known keynote speaker and author of marketing books Brand Like a Rock Star and Start You Up. After spending over three decades in the music industry, traveling from the United States to Canada to the Caribbean, Steve noticed how the core strategies of the rock stars he dealt with mirrored the core strategies of many successful companies. He set out to condense those observations into a book, exposing readers to everything they need to learn about marketing, branding, and corporate culture from the lessons he learned from working alongside some of the most legendary names in rock history.
“From AC/DC to Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Run-DMC, and many others, I explore how the legends of music provide a fantastic template for businesses in almost any industry,” said Steve.
A talented storyteller, Steve sets himself apart from other keynote speakers by using music, backstage stories, and his own experiences with rock legends to open up minds and share information that helps build stronger businesses and brands. Recently, he has focused on discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion, topics he feels are vital to business but are seldom showcased as concepts people should be excited to embrace. Through stories from rock history, Steve shows how DEI can actually change the world.
“When it comes to DEI, I share the story of Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It was there, deep in the American South in the mid-60s, that Black and White artists came together and simply made amazing music. No racial divide. They broke down barriers. In this most unlikely time and place, amazing things happened,” Steve said. “I also show how Paul Simon traveled to Jamaica, Brazil, South Africa, and the deep South to work with musicians from all backgrounds to incorporate their sounds into his music.”
Before becoming the well-known keynote speaker he is today, Steve was named twice International Radio Programmer of the Year twice at the Worldwide Radio Summit in Los Angeles after leading award-winning radio brands across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean for over 30 years. In addition to traveling the world speaking to companies, conferences, and conventions, Steve is SVP/Brands & Content for 100 radio stations owned by Stingray, a global music, media, and technology company. He is represented for speaking engagements worldwide by Goodman Speaker Management at www.goodmanspeakermanagement.com. Steve can also be reached via his website at www.brandlikearockstar.com.
