Super Bowl Gospel celebration has kick off at ANA Multicultural Conference

(Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from Target Market News)—The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, the largest multicultural event during Super Bowl Weekend, will celebrate its 14th year of bringing gospel to the biggest game on earth. A one-of-a-kind event, SBGC has become one of the most anticipated and one of the most attended events during the big weekend, selling out venues in major Super Bowl markets and drawing crowds in the thousands.

Founded by Melanie Few-Harrison, president of Results Marketing & Media Inc., an Atlanta-based agency that specializes in faith-based marketing, The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration was launched in Miami in 1999 during Super Bowl XXXIII weekend. In 2002, the event became the first, and remains the only, gospel event sanctioned by the NFL.

“With gospel and contemporary Christian music’s growing impact,” said Few-Harrison, “ex?tend?ing its reach beyond traditional listeners, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration brings together a diverse audience that shares a common love for football, and music that encourages, empowers and enriches their lives.”

Few-Harrison is the only female with a NFL sanctioned concert during Super Bowl Weekend, and SBGC is the only event permitted by the NFL to carry the “Super Bowl” moniker in its title.

To mark the return of the SBGC, Results Marketing produced performances by gospel artists Ta?mela Mann and Jessica Reedy at the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) Multicultural Mar?keting & Diversity Confer?ence, also in its 14th year. This is the first time gospel performances were scheduled during the four-day conference that brought together chief marketing officers from blue-chip companies and agency and media leaders. Few also spoke to the attendees about the value of faith-based marketing.

“Gospel and contemporary Christian music has a strong cross-cultural power and influence,” explained Few-Harrison. “More and more people are turning to this genre of music, opening more opportunity to reach new and existing customers.”

SBGC’s list of sponsors have included: American Family In?surance, Verizon Wireless, Sam’s Club, St. Joseph Aspirin, Amtrak, Gateway Computers, Burger King and more. The organization has worked in partnership with sponsors to develop successful marketing campaigns that included giveaways, online contests, radio and print promotions, and traffic-building programs to support the event.

The 2012 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration with headliner Fantasia and hosts Ce Ce Winans and Rev Run was also taped and aired on more than 200 station affiliates reaching more than 87 percent of TV households.

Over the years, SBGC has grown to include the NFL Players Choir, which became a part of the annual event in 2008. The choir has had several requests to perform, and made guest appearances at the “Taste of the NFL,” Stellar Awards and XLV Countdown Live From Cowboys Stadium. A red carpet and social media lounge were added in 2011.

SBGC also serves as a fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds benefiting national and local charities. Charitable partners have included the Special Olympics, Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, ONE TEAM 4 Haiti and many more.

The 14th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration made its New Orleans debut in 2001, and will return to The Big Easy on Friday, February 1, at UNO Lake Front Arena. For more information visit www.superbowl?gospel.com.

This article was originally published in the December 10, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper