AUSTIN, TX (May 1, 2024) – Today, Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions, and Stand Together, a philanthropic community that tackles the root causes of the country’s biggest problems, announced Stand Together as OVG’s exclusive Official Social Impact Partner in Austin, TX. This transformative strategic partnership with Austin-based Red River Rising and “Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater” will enhance fan experiences, engage and empower artists, and drive positive community impact on various initiatives, including community engagement, education, youth development, social justice, and more.
This announcement comes following the success of naming Stand Together as the exclusive Social Impact Partner and one of eight Founding Partners of Acrisure Arena, OVG’s owned-and-operated venue in Greater Palm Springs. Opened in December 2022, Stand Together also serves as presenting partner of the Stand Together Music Series and has helmed initiatives there such as creating a dedicated 1 Million Strong sober-supportive space and craft mocktail program to ensure that all fans feel welcome and can show up as their best self. The expanded relationship between OVG and the Stand Together community marks a significant milestone in both organizations' efforts to harness the power of music and live entertainment to bring about positive change. Through their strategic alliance, OVG and Stand Together will enable artists and industry leaders to make a positive impact in communities around the country, connecting them to a network of community organizations tackling important problems and delivering solutions every day.
Commenting on the partnership, Irving Azoff, co-founder of OVG said, “This partnership isn't just about talk; it's about action. We're diving into Austin headfirst to make a difference where it counts.”
Dan Griffis, president of OVG Global Partnerships continued, “We celebrate Stand Together and their mission to help everyone realize their potential and live a life of meaning. Oak View Group, like Stand Together, also wants to make communities stronger and better than where we found them. This deepened partnership is about strengthening communities, enhancing the live event experience, and creating lasting memories for fans of all backgrounds. What is better than that?”
“We love partnering with Oak View Group. Not only are they leaders in the music industry, they’re constantly looking to push the boundaries of what’s possible to give artists the opportunity to make a greater difference on the issues they’re passionate about. Big things are happening in Austin – empowering people to live their best lives and help others do the same. We’re excited that our community of changemakers are a part of that,” added Brian Hooks, CEO of Stand Together.
Recognizing the pivotal role musicians play in our communities and culture in Austin and around the world, the two organizations will bring to life a back-of-house wellness room at Moody Center to help integrate health and wellness into music culture. The wellness room will enable musicians and their teams to opt into various wellness experiences such as yoga, a juice and smoothie bar, massages, and more.
Additionally, through this partnership, Stand Together will become the Presenting Partner of OVG’s Red River Rising, a community platform based in Austin, which focuses on three main pillars: empowering local musicians, preserving the Red River downtown music district, and addressing housing insecurity. As the Presenting Partner, Stand Together will help Red River Rising expand their reach and impact as well as co-produce an annual benefit concert at Moody Center to drive awareness of social issues and benefit local nonprofit partners.
This partnership also launches Stand Together as the Official Partner of community programming at Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater, a world-class live music venue and home of the longest-running music series on television—Austin City Limits. Leveraging the Stand Together community's robust network of changemakers, they will empower community members and artists with opportunities to engage on the issues that matter most to them through events, activations, and culture campaigns.
# # #
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
About Stand Together
Stand Together is a philanthropic community that tackles the root causes of our country’s biggest problems. Alongside inspiring partners, we drive solutions on education, economic opportunity, health care, bridging partisan divides, and dozens of other pressing issues. We can all make a greater difference by uniting on areas of common ground than we can by acting on our own. Learn more at www.standtogether.org. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Stand Together Music
Stand Together Music unites musicians and their teams with proven changemakers to co-create solutions to some of the most pressing problems in our country, including criminal justice reform, addiction recovery, education, free speech, and ending the war on drugs. To learn more about Stand Together Music visit, StandTogetherMusic.org.
