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Rocking the Cloud: Wasabi’s Explosive Growth and the Fenway Concert Series

Rocking the Cloud: Wasabi’s Explosive Growth and the Fenway Concert Series

Julie Barry
By Julie Barry
Vice President, Global Brand & Communications

June 13, 2023

In 2022, Wasabi signed on to become the Presenting Partner of the Fenway Concert Series. After an extremely successful season in 2022, we are looking forward to celebrating the 20th Anniversary and seeing what the 2023 season of the Nucar Concert Series presented by Wasabi Technologies has in store. In the last year, Wasabi has exponentially evolved into a global, industry-leading cloud storage company. Given our growth, it’s important to reach our customers where they are and find opportunities to engage with audiences in ways that are fun and impactful. As the Presenting Partner, we can raise our brand visibility while supporting one of our top areas of business – media and entertainment. Having our brand share the stage with some of the world’s most iconic performers is an incredible opportunity. 

Fenway Sports Management’s VP of Sales Chris Valente said that when the concert series started 20 years ago, it was a bit of a risk. No one had ever performed music to a large crowd at Fenway Park. However, bands not only love the acoustics, but they now actively request to play at the venue. Boston-area acts like Aerosmith, the New Kids on the Block, and Bill Burr often comment about how surreal it is come home and perform at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark. 

Seeing the Wasabi logo throughout one of the most historic venues in the country is beyond exciting, but this initiative also aligns with Wasabi’s arts-based Corporate Social Responsibility pillars that build off our founder David Friend’s legacy to share music and the arts with those who will benefit most from it. These programs include Red Hot Beats with Wasabi’s partners at the Liverpool Football Club and an all-encompassing founding partnership with the MGM Music Hall at Fenway 

David Friend’s first company, ARP Instruments, developed revolutionary synthesizers used by Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and other legendary musical acts. Dave continues to support music and arts education through philanthropic efforts with Berklee College of Music, which boasts a recital hall with his namesake. Although Wasabi is a tech company (and does not produce synthesizers or other instruments!), we have fostered a special bond between technology and the power of music. During an interview I conducted with Dave last year, he said, “Music, like engineering and programming, is a creative endeavor. Most musicians these days are very knowledgeable about technology and use it significantly in their music. Likewise, any company that employs many engineers and programmers is likely to have several company bands. Wasabi’s continued involvement with music exposes us to an audience likely to be heavy on tech-savvy listeners. It also communicates to employees that the creative arts matter to the company.”  

The 2023 summer concert series kicks off on Friday, June 23 with Kane Brown, followed by Dead & Co., P!nk, Fall Out Boy, Morgan Wallen, Zac Brown Band, and Guns n Roses, before wrapping up with Gorillaz in September. This year, Wasabi will be treating suite guests to some fun, spicy treats and branded gifts to add some heat to the band’s sizzling performances! The Fenway Concert Series partnership is a success on all levels for Wasabi, as it not only provides a huge opportunity for brand exposure, but it allows us to entertain customers and partners, donate tickets to charitable organizations, and recognize outstanding Wasabi colleagues with the ultimate fan experience. 

the bucket
Julie Barry
By Julie Barry
Vice President, Global Brand & Communications