• Feature

#SharetheRhythm at Cincinnati Music Festival

The Cincinnati Music Festival is upon us! Proctor & Gamble is sponsoring it for the second year. They are encouraging diversity and economic growth with the Festival and are excited to make the annual Festival possible as well as fostering community relationships.

We sat down with Damon Jones, Director, Global Company Communications at Procter & Gamble to discuss the Cincinnati Music Festival!

CincyMusic.com: Tell us how P&G helps to make the Cincinnati Music Festival possible.
Damon Jones: P&G is thrilled to be the presenting sponsor of the Cincinnati Music Festival, THE premier festival in the Midwest, for the second year in a row. For more than 50 years, this event has provided economic, social and cultural development for millions of visitors and residents of Cincinnati, the hometown of P&G’s global headquarters.

Procter & Gamble supports this event through sponsorship, which enables CMF’s organizers, The Santangelo Group, to attract top musical talent and produce a phenomenal series of shows.  Leading up to this weekend, we partnered with WKRC, RadioOne, 3CDC and Kroger on a variety of activities such as the Friday Flow events in Washington Park, sampling and a ticketing deal at select Kroger locations – all designed to raise awareness, drive ticket sales and fuel the local economy.

We use our resources because P&G strives to be one of the most diverse and inclusive companies in the world and we care deeply about our impact in the communities we serve. Events such as CMF that unite us and also give our employees an opportunity to enjoy great entertainment are just one way we demonstrate our commitment to diversity and inclusion

CM:  What can we expect at the Cincinnati Music Festival this year? Any surprises? 
DJ: Well, if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise! The line-up is stellar - New Edition, Doug E. Fresh, Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, Talib Kweli, Ledisi, and more.

We’re partnering with Judith Hill – who performs Friday evening. She’s been familiar with P&G brands such as Always, Tide, Bounty, Cover Girl, Olay, Pantene, Secret and Crest all her life and is such a wonderful representation of the spirit behind our My Black is Beautiful platform that empowers women and girls to celebrate their unique beauty. This year, marks the 10th year of the program which has reached more than 2.5 million women, around the world.

Having Judith on stage and engaging with our brands is indeed a new and welcome addition to our activities this year. One way we’re getting the community engaged is asking attendees, participants and music fans to show their support by tagging #SharetheRhythm.

CM: What can you tell us about the name change of the festival? 
DJ: The Festival changed its name prior to our involvement but we're certainly proud to be the presenting sponsor for the second year in a row, encouraging everyone to Share the Rhythm by remixing, recharging and reinvigorating relationships in the community and with our brands from July 21st to 23rd.

CM: Tell us about some of the events and experiences planned surrounding the festival that P&G is involved with…
DJ: P&G Brands Always, Tide, Bounty, Cover Girl, Olay, Pantene, Secret and Crest and MBIB will be featured throughout Paul Brown Stadium:

  • Patio Spa featuring complimentary hair & makeup touch up stations, product demonstrations, MBIB giveaways and more provided by COVERGIRL, MBIB, Olay and Pantene 

  • Pre-show performances on the Tide Plaza Stage featuring local artists and musicians as well as dancers from Cincinnati troupe, Elementz 

  • Secret and Always Refresh Station (only one location for this station, not throughout the stadium) 

  • Bounty Concession Takeovers 

  • Charmin Restroom Takeover 

  • Crest Smile Patrol will be roaming the grounds, giving compliments and snapping pictures 



CM: Why did P&G get involved with the Cincinnati Music Festival?
DJ: We’re involved because P&G strives to be one of the most diverse and inclusive companies in the world and we care deeply about our impact in the communities we serve. Events such as CMF that unite us and also give our employees an opportunity to enjoy great entertainment are just one way we demonstrate our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Procter & Gamble’s AALN, our African Ancestry Leadership Network (AALN), is one of the longest-established employee groups at the company and proof positive of P&G’s century-old commitment to the African-American community. It’s empowering to offer people inside and outside the company opportunities to connect under such positive circumstances. For us, Share The Rhythm, is about inclusion and celebrating the cultural diversity that we hold true inside and outside P&G. It’s…

  • People of different cultures and generations uniting under the shared interest of great music and entertainment
  • Fostering empowerment and inspiration through compelling information and experiences
  • Promoting progress within communities, businesses and families


CM: Who are you most excited about seeing perform?
DJ: Wow – where to start? I love a great songstress so I’ll definitely enjoy the performances of the ladies on the lineup like Fantasia, Ledisi, Leela James and of course Judith Hill who I’ve been a fan of since seeing her on The Voice and in the great documentary, “20 Feet from Stardom.”  Having Judith on stage and engaging with our brands this year is a special treat. I know I’ll be tagging #SharetheRhythm all weekend.