Verizon announces Super Bowl After Party concert

The concert benefits small businesses

Verizon has pledged a multi-year commitment to bring one million small businesses forward by 2030 with resources to help them succeed in the digital economy. It all starts with The Big Concert for Small Business, the ultimate after-party for Super Bowl LV on Sunday, February 7th at 11 pm ET/8 pm PT. Hosted by Tiffany Haddish and featuring performances by Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Christina Aguilera, Eric Church, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, Luke Bryan and Miley Cyrus, the concert will be livestreamed on Yahoo, Fios, @Verizon on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube and TikTok, and broadcasted on BET, CBS Sports Network, CMT, MTV2 and MTV Live, as well as aired on iHeart and Sirius. The event is curated and produced by Roc Nation.

“Small businesses are so important and we need to do whatever we can to keep them alive; our communities can’t recover without them,” states Alicia Keys. “I’m excited to be partnering with Verizon and the rest of these amazing artists to not only be able to take the stage and bring that good music and light but to do it for such a meaningful cause.”

“When we launched Pay It Forward Live, the weekly entertainment series that supported small businesses last March, we had no idea the need for help would still be so critical almost a year later,” says Diego Scotti, CMO, Verizon. “We made magic happen by collaborating with the entertainment industry and mobilizing the public, impacting thousands of businesses. We’re doing it again, in an even bigger way, with the Big Concert for Small Business, bringing people together after Super Bowl LV to help the small businesses that are the heart of the American economy.”

Verizon’s training program will provide in-depth assistance through end-to-end resources – including curriculum, mentorship, networking and incentives, such as 5G products and services and connection to affordable capital – with the goal of engaging 100,000 businesses per year.

To rally support, Verizon is asking the public to share what local small businesses they can’t live without. Through February 7th, individuals can tag their favorite small business on Twitter using #BigConcertSmallBiz for a virtual spotlight during Verizon’s Big Concert for Small Business. Verizon is also supporting a text-to-give campaign. Wireless users on any carrier can text SMALLBIZ to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10 to LISC.

As 5G technology continues to advance, Verizon is helping small business owners realize the potential of 5G to revolutionize the way they operate, increasing productivity and lowering operational costs. In a recent Verizon Business 5G Enterprise Report, 63% of small business decision makers felt that businesses that do not adopt 5G will fall behind their peers. Additionally, nearly a third (31%) are either currently or planning to, within the next six months, provide employees an allowance or stipend to upgrade their wireless device and service to 5G.

Coinciding with Super Bowl LV, Verizon Business has partnered with select small businesses in Tampa and other markets to empower them with connectivity, security and support with the power of Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network. This program will provide small businesses with customized Verizon Business connectivity, tools and products to digitally transform their businesses and help them navigate today’s business landscape.

These efforts to impact the long-term survival of small businesses and the kick off concert the night of the game are part of Verizon’s actions to bring the Super Bowl LV experience forward with 5G built right. After a year like no other, innovation to move the world forward and bring people together safely is more important than ever.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com