W Hotels debuts A record label and resource for artists and their music industry partners

• W Records is a Natural Next Step for the Brand’s Innovative Moves in the Music Industry; Emerging Global Talent Will Lay Down Tracks in W Sound Suite Recording Studios and Perform at W WAKE UP CALL Music Festivals and Hotels Around the World
• Global Pop R&B Rising Star and PMR/Interscope Recording Artist, Amber Mark is the First W Records Artist; W to Distribute Two Digital and Vinyl Tracks from Mark This Month

Bethesda, MD, 2018-Oct-05 — /Travel PR News/ — W Hotels isn’t just marching to their own beat, they’re debuting it. The iconic brand behind the world’s first on-property music festival series (WAKE UP CALL) today (10/02/2018) announces its newest project: W Records.  At its core, W Records is a recordand resource for artists selected by W Hotels and their music industry partners. From signing to release, W Records supports artists through every step of development, providing recording space, video shoot locations, mixing and mastering and finally, distribution of the new sound via live performances, streaming and vinyl production. Tracks for W Records are recorded, naturally, in W Sound Suites (the brand’s signature, on-site recording studios) with four rising artists stepping up to the mic over the next year. Starting today, tracks from the first artist will be released through W Records both digitally and via limited edition runs of vinyl, offering W fans a throwback way to enjoy new/next music.

“Over the brand’s 20-year lifespan the music industry has changed beyond recognition, and we have changed with it.  Intimate live performances in our Living Rooms have evolved into weekend-long music festivals throughout our hotels. The curated soundtracks of years ago have given way to late night recording sessions in our W Sound Suites.  That’s because one thing remains constant: travel and the allure of a W hotel room inspiring musicians around the world,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels. “W Records is, undoubtedly, a natural next step for W and music. It represents a complete 360-degree approach to our innovative music programming – one in which we support emerging talent, provide them a place to record, distribute their music and act as a live venue. We’ve accomplished each of these tasks in increments before, but now we can do it all.”

Production Notes
W Records is supporting emerging artists, and artists on the tipping point of worldwide fame with production, distribution, a fully-produced music video and a live performance. Each artist will lay down tracks in a W Sound Suite (either W Hollywood, W Barcelona, W Bali or W Seattle) and record a cover as well as an original track. Once the tracks are mixed and mastered, W will release 500 copies of limited-edition vinyl which will be sent to DJs, tastemakers as well as music-loving SPG/Marriott Rewards Members. Each W Records artist will film a music video to accompany the release of his or her W-exclusive tracks. It will all culminate in an intimate live set for W guests and fans.

Behind the Music
The first W Records artist is R&B artist, songwriter, producer and all-around powerhouse, Amber Mark. Fans around the world can stream Mark’s cover of “High On Your Love” by Kings Go Forth starting today, marking the first exclusive release from W Records. Amber Mark is kicking off the program with a live performance in her hometown of New York City at W New York – Times Square on October 10. The second track from Mark, a rework of her song “Can You Hear Me,” will be released soon after. The intimate show will also premiere Mark’s music video for “Can You Hear Me (Rework)” which was shot at W Montréal. Both tracks from Mark were recorded earlier this summer in the W Sound Suite at W Hollywood.

W will support the passions of W Records artists beyond the booth. The entire W Records project with Amber Mark is women-led; Amber herself is producing the tracks which have been mixed/mastered by women and manufactured by a women-run vinyl production company. All W proceeds from the streaming releases of W Records tracks will be donated to a charity of each artist’s choice. Amber Mark, who holds the cause of breast cancer awareness and early screenings near and dear, has chosen The Rose, whose mission it is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. Amber chose this charity in honor of her mother, Mia Mark, who passed away from breast cancer in 2013.

The Liner Notes
The W brand’s longstanding relationships with music industry partners, promoters, media and influencers will help W Records artists cut through an overcrowded market. Artists will also get direct exposure to more than 110 million members of Marriott International’s Rewards programs, providing a huge audience from the start. W Records is in part overseen by Giant Step, the marketing agency that has created award-winning campaigns for brands like Intel, Samsung and ABSOLUT. Like W, Giant Step has a true passion for music and is a recognized brand within the industry having worked with many notable artists over the years including Amy Winehouse, Janelle Monae, Lady Gaga and Daft Punk. The W Records team and capabilities are similar to a small but powerful independent label. W Records is supported by both in-house and music-centric PR teams between THINK PR (W brand) and Grandstand Media (artists), non-commercial radio promotion from Co-Sign (artists), plus Giant Step’s marketing team adding DJ, tastemaker and influencer marketing to the program’s scope. Global distribution is provided by AWAL (Tom Misch, 3LAU) which connects W Records with audiences through top streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Deezer. This combination of a nimble label team with the marketing power of W Hotels and Marriott International creates a unique and exciting prospect for the artists working with W Records to amplify their sound on a global scale.

Stay tuned for the next artist announcement from W Records. In the meantime, please visit W Hotels online to learn more about W and music, and follow along on social using #WRECORDS @WHotels. To book your own recording session at a W Sound Suite, visit: W Bali, W Barcelona, W Hollywood, W Seattle.

About W Hotels Worldwide
Born from the bold attitude and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for nearly two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with over 50 hotels, W defies expectations and breaks the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests’ lust for life, W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. The brand’s provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative, inspiring and infectious, the brand’s super-charged energy celebrates guests’ endless appetite to discover what’s new/next in each destination, to see more, feel more, go longer, stay later. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels Worldwide is proud to participate in the company’s award-winning loyalty programs – Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The programs, operating under one set of unparalleled benefits, enable members to earn points toward free hotel stays, achieve Elite status faster than ever, and seamlessly book or redeem points for stays throughout our loyalty portfolio of 29 brands and more than 6,700 participating hotels in 130 countries & territories. To enroll for free or for more information about the programs, visit members.marriott.com.

About Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
Marriott International’s award-winning loyalty programs – Marriott Rewards, SPG, and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards – unite 29 unique and iconic global brands and over 6,700 distinctive properties in 130 countries and territories around the world, providing members with endless inspiration to travel the world. The programs, operating under one set of unparalleled benefits, enable more 110 million members to earn points toward free hotel stays, and achieve Elite status faster than ever, seamlessly and easily book or redeem points for stays throughout the portfolio. To enhance their travels, member may also indulge in 120,000 experiences offered on moments.marriott.com. When booking direct on Marriott.com, SPG.com or any of Marriott’s mobile apps, members can take advantage of exclusive Member Rates, free and enhanced Wi-Fi, mobile check-in and checkout, Mobile Requests and, wherever available, Mobile Key. To enroll for free or for more information about the programs, visit Marriott.com or SPG.com. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Rewards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and learn more about #spglife on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,700 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 130 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Contact:
Elizabeth Bishop, Marriott International
Elizabeth.Bishop@marriottluxurybrands.com

Source: Marriott International Inc.

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