Commercial Music Giant Goes "Global"

JSM Music Creates Soundtrack for Fourth Annual Clinton Global Initiative

AUSTIN, Texas, Sep 25, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- JSM Music, the commercial music production giant responsible for thousands of commercials for some of the world's biggest brands, is going "Global." JSM Austin has created and donated 23 pieces of custom-scored music which will essentially comprise the soundtrack to the fourth annual Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York, September 21-25.

The music scores a series of films produced by Austin-based non-profit and CGI partner Students of the World. Under the leadership of founder Courtney Spence, Students Of the World has for the third consecutive year sent university students to developing nations to document the social, economic, and medical work of CGI-partnered non-profits. The resulting short films (viewable at seechangenow.org) will serve as progress reports shown at the annual CGI meeting this week in New York, with each film opening a different plenary session. An exciting and music-driven three-minute piece will open the entire conference and will introduce Bill Clinton to the stage.

Joel Simon, CEO of JSM Music, says, "All of us at JSM are very proud to be involved in this endeavor. It is a very important grand mission and a supremely worthy cause. Regardless of ones partisan political affiliation, CGI stands on higher ground supporting a non-partisan unified world affiliation. Given the world climate we all currently live in, I felt lending our talent and resources was the least we could do to help."

Austin-based Executive Producer/Composer David Rice scored the film series from JSM's Austin studios. The soundtracks feature both traditional western instruments and those native to the nations they represent, with African Kalimba, Mexican Vihuela (a small 5-string guitar), and Indian tabla alongside acoustic and baritone guitars. He again worked closely with Peter Gabriel's Real World Records, who graciously donated a piece for use in the Paraguay short.
Says SOW's Spence, "Music is such an integral part of telling these stories, and David again hit it out of he park with his sensitivity, dedication, and huge musical talent. We are very grateful to Joel Simon and all at JSM Music for sharing him with us this summer."

The films are produced with cooperation from GSD&M's Idea City and 501 Post, whose Matt Naylor handled all editorial duties. Naylor and Rice last worked together as editor/composer on "Crawford" -- the internationally acclaimed look at President Bush's adopted hometown. The feature documentary won the audience award at the Brooklyn Film Festival and will be released in October.

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) is a non-partisan catalyst for action that brings together a community of global leaders to devise and implement solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI members have made nearly 1,000 commitments valued at upwards of $30 billion to impact more than 200 million lives in over 150 countries.

JSM Music is the world's largest producer of original music for commercials. With recording facilities encompassing 20,000 square foot and 15 state of the art studios, JSM is the largest recording facility in Manhattan. JSM has accumulated over 1000 gold and platinum records, Grammys, Emmys, and advertising awards including the Clio (23), AICP (8), Addy, One Show, Hispanic Advertising Award, and others.