Steve Stoute

Steve Stoute, founder and chief creative officer of Translation Consultation + Brand Imaging, is the driving force behind one of the leading and most influential brand marketing firms in the industry.  The mastermind behind innovative promotions between Fortune 500 companies and superstar celebrities from music, sports, entertainment and fashion, Mr. Stoute has led Translation to unprecedented growth and expansion.

Mr. Stoute's remarkable ability to create and implement pioneering marketing concepts that establish an authentic connection between an artist and product is the key to his phenomenal success.  His proven track record as both a music label executive and consumer brand marketer has placed him at the forefront of today's popular culture, with unique access to the trend-setting urban youth market.  As a result, Mr. Stoute has become a virtual hit-maker for many global consumer brands seeking to reach a broader audience, and his groundbreaking campaigns have placed him at the forefront of the entertainment marketing field.  Among his clients are such worldwide marketers as McDonald's, Reebok, Verizon and Proctor & Gamble, to name just a few.  In addition, Mr. Stoute is actively involved in developing several entrepreneurial ventures, including Carol's Daughter, a retailer of exceptional beauty-care products for men and women.

Before forming Translation in 2003, Mr. Stoute partnered with the legendary Madison Avenue guru Peter Arnell to establish PASS, a Manhattan-based marketing and advertising firm that repositioned Reebok and conceived the silver bullet brand rbk, through which Mr. Stoute brokered the enormously successful S. Carter Collection by rbk.  As part of a long-term strategic alignment with pop culture on behalf of his client McDonald's, Mr. Stoute positioned Justin Timberlake as the embodiment of the "I'm Lovin' It" campaign.  In addition, he has arranged strategic partnerships between high-profile artists and blue-chip marketers for many products, including Hewlett-Packard's Harajuku Lovers digital camera and Tommy Hilfiger's True Star fragrance for women.

From 1990 to 1999, Mr. Stoute was a top executive at several leading labels in the music industry.  At Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Mr. Stoute served as president of the Urban Music division and executive vice president, producing best-selling albums from U2, Eve and Limp Bizkit, as well as Eminem's debut album, "The Slim Shady LP."  Mr. Stoute has also produced several major motion picture soundtracks.  Prior to joining Interscope, Mr. Stoute was president of Urban Music for Sony Music Entertainment, where he was responsible for launching the music careers of Mariah Carey, Will Smith and Nas. 

Mr. Stoute has also contributed his impressive skills and expertise to a variety of civic causes.  He played a key role in the development of minority recruitment campaigns for both the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and the New York City Police Department.  For his work on the "Heroes Wanted" campaign, Mr. Stoute received the 2004 Humanitarian Award from the FDNY.  In 2003, Mr. Stoute served as the co-chairman of the New York City Fresh Air Fund, a non-profit program offering minority children an opportunity to experience life outside the confines of the inner city.