Amazon Music-led NYC Marathon team raises $112,000 for TJ Martell Foundation

A team spearheaded by Amazon Music executives has successfully raised more than $112,000 for early-stage cancer research by participating in the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon. This fundraising effort was organized under the banner of the TJ Martell Foundation’s inaugural Music’s Team For A Cure, which made its debut in the marathon on November 1.

The team was led by Andre Stapleton, who holds dual roles as Amazon Music’s global head of artist and label relations and head of music for North America. Stapleton, also serving as a Trustee for the TJ Martell Foundation, was instrumental in recruiting the majority of the eight-member group and completed his second New York City Marathon alongside them.

Among the participants was Daniel Glass, founder and CEO of Glassnote Entertainment Group and a fellow Trustee of the charity, marking his 29th time running the event. The team also featured Paul Firth, Amazon Music’s UK-based director of global music industry; Daniel Parrott, vice president of commerce at Atlantic Records; Gabe Fleet, partner at law firm Latham & Watkins; Mel Curley, Believe’s global head of editorial and marketing partnerships; John Murphy, head of music for Amazon Music Canada; and Liam O’Brien, marketing manager at Big Loud Records.

The TJ Martell Foundation, supported by figures across the music industry, has a longstanding history of funding cancer research. Since its inception, it has amassed over $300 million to support pioneering studies at top cancer centers in the United States. The foundation asserts that its efforts have helped unlock nearly $1 billion in additional funding for cancer research.

The team’s collective fundraising and marathon participation represent a convergence of industry influence and philanthropic commitment. The group's efforts at the New York City Marathon highlight a strategic push within the music industry to mobilize resources and visibility for health-related causes.

This initiative also underscores the influence of executive leadership in driving philanthropic projects, with Stapleton’s dual role within Amazon Music and the foundation demonstrating a blending of corporate and charitable responsibilities.

The sustained presence of industry executives like Daniel Glass, who has participated in the marathon 29 times, signals a deep-rooted culture of dedication to cancer research within music business circles. Such longstanding involvement reflects not only personal commitment but also institutional support for the foundation’s mission.

The involvement of a diverse team spanning multiple major music companies and law firms points to a collaborative approach that crosses company boundaries in favor of a common cause. This cross-sector participation helps amplify fundraising potential and public engagement for the foundation.

The funds raised are earmarked for early-stage cancer research, emphasizing the foundation’s focus on interventions and studies that aim to impact treatment outcomes at the earliest and potentially most impactful stages of the disease.

Participation in public events such as the New York City Marathon raises awareness about the foundation’s work and the broader issue of cancer within and beyond the music community. This visibility facilitates further fundraising opportunities and strengthens ties between the music industry and charitable initiatives.

The role of industry figures in philanthropic sports events like marathons may also enhance their public profiles, aligning their professional identity with social impact efforts. This dynamic can influence how music executives engage with fans and colleagues by showcasing commitment beyond commercial interests.

As the TJ Martell Foundation continues its efforts, the results of this inaugural Music’s Team For A Cure in New York may encourage further participation from the music industry in future marathons and fundraising campaigns. This event could serve as a model for similar collaborations aimed at leveraging the music business’s reach for health-related causes.

Further details about the specific allocation of the funds raised or the individual fundraising targets for team members remain unconfirmed. Likewise, the foundation’s future plans for the event and potential expansions of the team have yet to be announced.