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WATCH: Steve Stoute Sits Down With Jay-Z, Pharrell, And Lady Gaga To Discuss 'The Tanning Of America'

WATCH: Steve Stoute Talks Brands, Marketing With Jay-Z, Pharrell & Lady Gaga
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By 

Pop Culture Editor, HuffPost

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When it comes to marketing to the multicultural consumer, Steve Stoute has been instrumental in marrying celebrities with corporate America. The former music executive launched Translation Consultation & Brand Imaging in 2004, and linked Justin Timberlake to McDonald's for the fast food chain's "I'm Loving It" campaign, helped seal LeBron James' partnership with State Farm Insurance, Gwen Stefani with Hewlett-Packard, Lady Gaga with MAC Comestics and Jay-Z's exclusive line with Reebok.

Stoute released his debut book, "The Tanning Of America: How the Culture of Hip-Hop Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy," on September 8, in which Stoute defines the "tanning" phenomenon as being led by the positive, powerful potential of urban culture as a mindset, not a race. "Tanning is the catalytic force majeure that went beyond musical boundaries and into the psyche of young America -- blurring cultural and demographic lines so permanently that it laid the foundation for a transformation."

To coincide with "Tanning," he is set to debut his video series, "The Tanning Effect," with AOL HuffPost Media Group on October 17. Check out the exclusive trailer above, featuring Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga and music industry impresario Jimmy Iovine.

PHOTOS:

Steve Stoute And Friends
(01 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Jay-Z during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.'
(02 of23)
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AOL CEO Tim Armstrong with Jay-Z and Steve Stoute during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
(03 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Jay-Z during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
(04 of23)
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Jay-Z during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
(05 of23)
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Jay-Z during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
(06 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Lady Gaga during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:AOL)
(07 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Lady Gaga during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:AOL)
(08 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Lady Gaga during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
(09 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Lady Gaga during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:AOL)
(10 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Jimmy Iovine during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:AOL)
(11 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Jimmy Iovine during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:AOL)
(12 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Jimmy Iovine during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:AOL)
(13 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Pharrell Williams during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
(14 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Pharrell Williams during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
(15 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Pharrell Williams during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
(16 of23)
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Steve Stoute and Pharrell Williams during the taping of AOL HuffPost Media Group's, 'Tanning Effect With Steve Stoute.' (credit:Bonnie Biess, AOL)
Steve Harvey Hosts 2nd Annual Steve Harvey Foundation Gala In New York - Arrivals(17 of23)
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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: (L-R) Steve Harvey Foundation co-chairs Raymond McGuire, Russell Simmons, Steve Harvey, Steve Stoute and Geoffrey Canada attend the 2nd annual Steve Harvey Foundation Gala at Cipriani, Wall Street on April 4, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for The Steve Harvey Foundation) (credit:Getty)
Gucci Celebrates FNO and Gucci For Fawn Day With Mary J. Blige(18 of23)
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Singer Mary J. Blige, Steve Stoute and TV personality Kim Kardashian attend the Gucci celebration of Fashion's Night Out at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 10, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Gucci) (credit:Getty)
Gucci Celebrates FNO and Gucci For Fawn Day With Mary J. Blige(19 of23)
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Singer Mary J. Blige, Steve Stoute and TV personality Kim Kardashian attend the Gucci celebration of Fashion's Night Out at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 10, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Gucci) (credit:Getty)
An Evening At Cipriani with Mary J. Blige and Friends(20 of23)
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NEW YORK - JUNE 17: Donna Karan and Steve Stoute attend 'An Evening with Mary J. Blige and Friends' at Cipriani, Wall Street on June 17, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Hope Help & Relief Haiti "A Night Of Humanity" - Arrivals(21 of23)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: (L-R) Steve Stout, designer Donna Karan, John Rhea and Andre Harrell attend Hope Help & Relief Haiti 'A Night Of Humanity' at Urban Zen on February 8, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Hope Help & Relief Haiti "A Night Of Humanity" - Arrivals(22 of23)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Gayle King and Steve Stout attend Hope Help & Relief Haiti 'A Night Of Humanity' at Urban Zen on February 8, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Hope Help & Relief Haiti "A Night Of Humanity" - Arrivals(23 of23)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Musician Wyclef Jean, singer Mary J. Blige and Steve Stout attend the Hope Help & Relief Haiti 'A Night Of Humanity' at Urban Zen on February 8, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

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