City of Hope's Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group will honor Lucian Grainge CBE chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group, with its 2015 Spirit of Life Award, the organization’s highest honor, for his outstanding achievements in business and dedication to philanthropic causes.
“City of Hope is honored to have the support of Universal Music Group and its chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge, as we work to develop better treatments and cures for cancer and other diseases,” said Robert W. Stone, president and chief executive of City of Hope. “Lucian’s commitment to our work is well-known, as is his ability to effect change, and we’re looking forward to working with him on this year’s Spirit of Life campaign.”
Grainge is revolutionizing the music industry, and he applies the same innovative spirit and passion to fund-raising for cancer research. The award accompanies a year-long fundraising campaign that fuels City of Hope’s ability to quickly speed new therapies and scientific breakthroughs to patients who need them.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Spirit of Life award from City of Hope, although for me, the true reward is the knowledge that our work supporting this outstanding organization makes such a difference in the lives of so many people by fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases,” Grainge said.
As a world-renowned biomedical research, education and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases, City of Hope shortens the time from new research ideas to new medical treatments in order to quickly bring cures to patients. Its breakthrough research has led to therapies now used by people worldwide.
The music, film and entertainment industry has been a longtime supporter of City of Hope’s mission and has partnered on many innovative fundraising campaigns. The Spirit of Life Award will be presented to Grainge at a gala dinner in Los Angeles this fall.
During his lifetime in the music industry, Grainge has been involved in the careers of worldwide stars including ABBA, Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Queen, Rihanna, The Rolling Stones, Sam Smith and U2. Grainge joined Universal Music in 1986 to launch PolyGram Music Publishing UK and became general manager of A&R and business affairs at Polydor in 1993, rising to managing director of the British record label in 1997. Grainge was subsequently appointed deputy chairman of Universal Music UK, and then, in 2001, chairman and CEO. In 2005, he was named chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group International, with responsibility for global operations outside the U.S. In 2011, after assuming his current position, Grainge led UMG’s successful acquisition of the legendary British music company EMI, revitalizing its iconic Capitol Records, and, in the process, further strengthening UMG’s position as the global leader in music.
Grainge has been recognized for his many achievements throughout the years. In 2015 and 2013, he topped Billboard Magazine’s “Power 100” as the most powerful executive in the music business, the only person to twice hold that distinction. In 2014, he was awarded the President’s Merit Award by The Recording Academy. For his service to global creative industries, he was recognized in Britain’s New Years Honors and awarded Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2010. Grainge serves on the boards of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. and Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
For more information on the 2015 Spirit of Life campaign, please visit www.cityofhope.org/mfei.
