Phylicia Fant - Corporate Exec. of the Year
Over the course of a career that spans nearly two decades, Phylicia Fant has established herself as one of the preeminent public relations executives in the music industry through her work with Prince, Andra Day, Kid Cudi, Bebe Rexha, Luis Fonsi, Daniel Caesar, and more. In 2018, she assumed the role of Co- Head of Urban Music at Columbia Records where she oversees a robust roster of talent including Lil Nas X, Raphael Saadiq, Pharrell, Joey Bada$$, Polo G, Lil Tjay, Ambjaay and many more.
Along the way, she has received personal recognition such as being featured in E! Online, Variety and the alumnae publication of her alma mater Spelman College. Moreover, she’s garnered several honors, including the NAASC NY chapter “Rising Star Award”, the Los Angeles NAASC chapter “Sister’s Awards Alumnae Honoree”, the She’s The Boss Award, the Culture Creators “Innovators Award”, the Urban Music Executive Award and the HBCU Power Award. Additionally, she receives regular invites to speak on entertainment industry panels everywhere from Complex Con to Revolt.
As Senior Vice President of Media & Strategic Development for Warner Bros. Records from 2011-2018, she has conceived and executed campaigns for a wide array of multiplatinum, award-winning, and chart- topping artists. Past and present campaigns include Drake’s OVO Sound, YFN Lucci, Wu-Tang, RZA, Maybach Music Group, Nile Rodgers, Kimbra, Nico& Vinz, Theophilus London, Common, Gallant, They., Gary Clark Jr., Lianne La Havas, Wale, Saweetie, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and more.
Her diverse experience spans over 17 years in the field. Born and raised in Atlanta, Phylicia began her professional career out of college. Starting at Motown Records, she worked closely with many luminaries of the “Neo-Soul” movement of the era, including Erykah Badu and India.Arie. She was soon promoted to the pop music department of parent company Universal Music Group where she worked closely with acts such as Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Lindsay Lohan, JoJo, 3 Doors Down, Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Qtip, Akon, Kelly Rowland, Mya, Swizz Beatz, Kid Cudi and Michael Bolton. Following 10 years at the company, she left Universal Music Group in 2011 and moved on to Warner Bros. Records.
As she worked within the major label system, Fant made her mark independently and launched The Purple Agency in 2008. The company founder and C.E.O. architected a full-service public relations and lifestyle marketing company whose clientele spans music, film, television, fashion, sports, brands and more. Simultaneously, she assembled a team of seasoned and professional media executives located in bicoastal offices. Among many successes, Fant has shepherded countless campaigns under the Purple banner. These include albums, projects, and tours for GRAMMY® Award-winning, multiplatinum talent such as Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Anthony Hamilton, BJ The Chicago Kid, Apl.de.Ap of Black Eyed Peas, Legendary Damon, Luis Fonsi, Daniel Caesar and more as well as labels such as Universal Music Group, TDE and Rostrum Records. Some of the biggest organizations, companies, and festivals in the world have enlisted her and the team. Among those are Coca-Cola, BET, HBO, Universal Music Group, Hennessy, Red Bull, ONE Musicfest, Viacom and many others. The company would also plan and host events for NFL Draft, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks.
Maintaining a foothold in film and television, Fant and Purple have orchestrated press initiatives for TV One, The Blackhouse Foundation, The Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation, Culture of Proximity, Audiomack, I Am Not Your Negro, Karin Gist, LVRN, Right Hand Management, Keep Cool Records, Tunji Balogun, Carl Chery and more. Phylicia has been a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) since 2004. She is a consultant for Music Unites, a lifetime member of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC), and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She continues to serve in leadership roles as co-founder of “Honorable Women in Music” in addition to founding and helping launch the Annual Entertainment Summit at Spelman College. She is an active member of Soho House, The Recording Academy – LA Chapter Foundations Committee, is a founding member of Worldz, is a curator and community member of Neuehouse, H Club, and Summit. She also went on the Reality Israel Music Trip and is a member of the collective. In 2018, she achieved an Executive Education Certificate from the prestigious Harvard Business School.
Along the way, she has received personal recognition such as being featured in E! Online, Variety and the alumnae publication of her alma mater Spelman College. Moreover, she’s garnered several honors, including the NAASC NY chapter “Rising Star Award”, the Los Angeles NAASC chapter “Sister’s Awards Alumnae Honoree”, the She’s The Boss Award, the Culture Creators “Innovators Award”, the Urban Music Executive Award and the HBCU Power Award. Additionally, she receives regular invites to speak on entertainment industry panels everywhere from Complex Con to Revolt.
As Senior Vice President of Media & Strategic Development for Warner Bros. Records from 2011-2018, she has conceived and executed campaigns for a wide array of multiplatinum, award-winning, and chart- topping artists. Past and present campaigns include Drake’s OVO Sound, YFN Lucci, Wu-Tang, RZA, Maybach Music Group, Nile Rodgers, Kimbra, Nico& Vinz, Theophilus London, Common, Gallant, They., Gary Clark Jr., Lianne La Havas, Wale, Saweetie, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and more.
Her diverse experience spans over 17 years in the field. Born and raised in Atlanta, Phylicia began her professional career out of college. Starting at Motown Records, she worked closely with many luminaries of the “Neo-Soul” movement of the era, including Erykah Badu and India.Arie. She was soon promoted to the pop music department of parent company Universal Music Group where she worked closely with acts such as Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Lindsay Lohan, JoJo, 3 Doors Down, Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Qtip, Akon, Kelly Rowland, Mya, Swizz Beatz, Kid Cudi and Michael Bolton. Following 10 years at the company, she left Universal Music Group in 2011 and moved on to Warner Bros. Records.
As she worked within the major label system, Fant made her mark independently and launched The Purple Agency in 2008. The company founder and C.E.O. architected a full-service public relations and lifestyle marketing company whose clientele spans music, film, television, fashion, sports, brands and more. Simultaneously, she assembled a team of seasoned and professional media executives located in bicoastal offices. Among many successes, Fant has shepherded countless campaigns under the Purple banner. These include albums, projects, and tours for GRAMMY® Award-winning, multiplatinum talent such as Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Anthony Hamilton, BJ The Chicago Kid, Apl.de.Ap of Black Eyed Peas, Legendary Damon, Luis Fonsi, Daniel Caesar and more as well as labels such as Universal Music Group, TDE and Rostrum Records. Some of the biggest organizations, companies, and festivals in the world have enlisted her and the team. Among those are Coca-Cola, BET, HBO, Universal Music Group, Hennessy, Red Bull, ONE Musicfest, Viacom and many others. The company would also plan and host events for NFL Draft, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks.
Maintaining a foothold in film and television, Fant and Purple have orchestrated press initiatives for TV One, The Blackhouse Foundation, The Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation, Culture of Proximity, Audiomack, I Am Not Your Negro, Karin Gist, LVRN, Right Hand Management, Keep Cool Records, Tunji Balogun, Carl Chery and more. Phylicia has been a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) since 2004. She is a consultant for Music Unites, a lifetime member of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC), and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She continues to serve in leadership roles as co-founder of “Honorable Women in Music” in addition to founding and helping launch the Annual Entertainment Summit at Spelman College. She is an active member of Soho House, The Recording Academy – LA Chapter Foundations Committee, is a founding member of Worldz, is a curator and community member of Neuehouse, H Club, and Summit. She also went on the Reality Israel Music Trip and is a member of the collective. In 2018, she achieved an Executive Education Certificate from the prestigious Harvard Business School.