PURCHASE, N.Y., May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership with Mary J. Blige, Pepsi – co-presenter of the inaugural "Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit" during Mother's Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia – announces a full three days of immersive programming to help elevate, entertain, and educate women in the Atlanta area and beyond. With a lineup of iconic female music superstars including Mary J. Blige herself, Chaka Khan, Ella Mai and many more, Atlanta will be moving to the soulful sounds of true music legends, but the action-packed festival goes beyond just music and entertainment.
Pepsi is co-presenting the full weekend of festivities with Mary J. Blige and her team to amplify, spotlight and support the talented – and underrepresented – voices of the community, through events and activations inspired by the brand's rich heritage in music and entertainment, and latest contributions to culture and community. Activations include:
"This weekend is so important because it is so much more than a concert. There are panels, classes, food events and more, aimed specifically at highlighting and supporting trailblazing BIPOC women in the greater Atlanta community," said Ashaunna Ayars, festival partner and Founder of The Ayars Agency. "With Pepsi as a co-presenter, we've been able to utilize their massive scale to make this beyond anything we could have imagined when we first came up with this idea. It's a true celebration of the strength of a woman and how that comes to life every day in music, food, culture, art, finance and much more."
"I'm deeply proud of what this festival represents and the way we've been able to use our resources at Pepsi to be true collaborators and help co-present this important event," said Todd Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer – Pepsi. "When we engaged with Mary J. Blige last year at the start of our Pepsi Halftime Show journey, we were blown away by her drive and compassion in using her platform and voice to help others. So when this opportunity was born using music as an entry way to help amplify and elevate this underserved community of women, we were all in. We're so excited to see it come to life next month."
"Our work in communities is anchored in our goal to utilize our brand platform as an arbiter of positive change and progress. Whether it's our work with local restauranteurs, aspiring entrepreneurs or a legendary talent like Mary J. Blige, we want to celebrate success at the local level while creating opportunities to pay it forward, which is what we hope fans takeaway throughout the festival," said Chauncey Hamlett, Chief Marketing Officer, South Division – Pepsi.
"Our mission with Pepsi Dig In remains laser focused on resourcing and championing Black-owned restaurants and chefs," says Alexis Porter, Senior Director, Brand Building, PepsiCo Foodservice. "We are excited to partner with Mary J. Blige and the Strength of a Woman Festival to launch our new Restaurant Royalty program and ultimately, to amplify the voices of innovative Black women in the culinary industry."
The Mary J. Blige and Pepsi "Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit," in partnership with Live Nation Urban, will take place in the vibrant city of Atlanta, GA with three days devoted to music, comedy, and community between May 6-8, 2022. All tickets can be purchased at www.soawfestival.com.
LINEUP
Friday, May 6
COMEDY SHOW at Buckhead Theater
Ms. Pat, Wanda, Just Nesh, Erica Duchess
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT at Tabernacle Atlanta
Kiana Ledè, Emotional Oranges, Rubi Rose, Inayah, MK XYZ, Omerettá the Great
Saturday, May 7
SUMMIT at The Gathering Spot ATL Featuring Carla Hall
SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT at State Farm Arena
Mary J. Blige & Friends, Chaka Khan, City Girls, Special Guest Ella Mai, Special Guests Xscape, Queen Naija, Baby Tate, Omerettá the Great
Sunday, May 8
Mother's Day Brunch at City Winery
Kierra Sheard, Le'Andria Johnson
**Lineup subject to change
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $79 billion in net revenue in 2021, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with PepsiCo Positive (pep+). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.
About The Ayars Agency
The Ayars Agency is a brand and entertainment marketing firm rooted in strategy - a customized mix of analytics and real-work insights. TAA acutely understands this generation's worldview, behaviors, relationship to culture, and the importance of the brands in their lives. The Ayars Agency also knows that today's culture disruptors relate based on shared values and interests, not demographics, race, age, or gender. Their work is grounded in consumer insights, cultural truths, and brand fidelity. Because of this, they are able to conceive, implement, and execute dynamic campaigns rich in cultural impact.
SOURCE PepsiCo Beverages North America