Hard Rock International on Wednesday said the next step in its continued partnership with global non-profit WhyHunger and activist-artist Yoko Ono Lennon will be a new campaign to address global hunger and poverty.
The campaign is inspired by John Lennon’s iconic song, “Imagine,” and will honor the 50th anniversary of its release this year.
Hard Rock has produced its 37th Signature Series, the John Lennon, “Imagine There’s No Hunger” Collection. It will feature a variety of merchandise that will be available for purchase online and at Hard Rock Hotels, Cafes and Casinos worldwide.
Officials said the new Series takes design inspiration from the “Imagine: John Lennon” album cover, which they said emotes a feeling of hope and optimism toward the campaign’s mission of ending hunger and poverty.
Hard Rock has partnered with musicians for more than 25 years in creating limited-edition Signature Series merchandise that has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes worldwide. Bruce Springsteen, Pitbull, Rihanna, Imagine Dragons, U2, KISS, Eric Clapton, The Who, Jon Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Shakira and Ringo Starr have been part of these programs.
Hard Rock is unveiling an initial collection this month, and additional merchandise will be released in September to commemorate the September 1971 release of “Imagine.”
Jon Lucas, chief operating officer of Hard Rock International, said the company is, “Honored to continue working alongside WhyHunger and further build upon our partnership, a relationship that has resulted in more than $6.8 million raised to combat global hunger and poverty.”
“With music at Hard Rock’s core, this year’s campaign is especially meaningful as we look to honor John Lennon’s legacy and the 50th anniversary of ‘Imagine,’ while making great strides to raise awareness and support for WhyHunger and Hard Rock’s mutual mission to end hunger,” Lucas said in a statement.
Hard Rock will make a minimum contribution of $450,000 to WhyHunger, Lucas said.
Noreen Springstead, executive director at WhyHunger, added, “Our partnership with Yoko Ono Lennon and Hard Rock International empowers us to further our mission of striking at hunger and its root causes, while paying homage to the vision John and Yoko shared in the iconic song ‘Imagine.’”
“Fifty years ago, my late husband John Lennon released the song ‘Imagine’ with the hope of inspiring a world at peace and free from hunger,” said Yoko Ono Lennon. “Despite the challenges we face today, his impact and vision shine brighter than ever as we work to create a better, hunger-free world for families worldwide with WhyHunger and Hard Rock International.”
