In a celebration of artistry and activism, three-time Grammy® winner Olivia Rodrigo has been named the recipient of the fourth annual Universal Music Group (UMG) x REVERB Amplifier Award. The accolade was presented during Sir Lucian Grainge’s highly anticipated 2026 Music is Universal Artist Showcase, an event that stands out as a highlight of the music industry’s biggest weekend.
Acknowledging Purpose-Driven Artists
The UMG x REVERB Amplifier Award recognizes artists who leverage their influence to foster meaningful social and environmental change. Unlike awards that celebrate commercial success alone, this honor highlights those who go beyond raising awareness, inspiring tangible action among their fans and communities. Olivia Rodrigo joins an esteemed lineage of artists celebrated for weaving purpose into their artistry and using their platforms to create impact.
A Moment of Recognition and Reflection
The award was presented by Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, alongside Lauren Sullivan and Adam Gardner, Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors of REVERB. REVERB is a leading organization dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability within the music industry and mobilizing millions of fans to contribute to social and ecological causes through the power of music.
Expressing her gratitude, Rodrigo shared, “Receiving the UMG x REVERB Amplifier Award is an incredible honor. I’m deeply grateful to Sir Lucian, Universal Music Group’s Global Impact Team, John Janick, and the team at Interscope. This award is a reminder that artists can be a force for lasting, meaningful change. Music has always been about connection, truth, and showing up for one another—especially when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. Our platforms, no matter their size, can amplify more than just our voices—it can amplify our impact.”
Celebrating the Power of Music to Drive Change
The Amplifier Award underscores the strengthened partnership between Universal Music Group and REVERB, emphasizing a shared belief in the ability of artists to inspire communities and foster positive change through their work onstage, online, and beyond. Susan Mazo, UMG’s Chief Impact Officer and Executive Vice President, praised Rodrigo’s influence, stating, “Olivia embodies everything this award represents: the courage to turn influence into action. Her authenticity resonates far beyond music, inspiring a generation to move with purpose. It’s an honor to recognize her as our Amplifier Award recipient.”
Lauren Sullivan reflected on the evolving landscape of activism in music, noting, “When we started this work in 2004, sustainability and social activism within the industry were the exception. With this fourth Amplifier Award, we see how much that’s changing. Olivia Rodrigo exemplifies this shift—integrating her multifaceted identity into her work and advocating for an equitable, just future for women and girls.”
A Platform for Leadership and Responsibility
The presentation of the Amplifier Award at Sir Lucian Grainge’s 2026 Artist Showcase reaffirms that music’s most celebrated weekend is not only about artistic excellence but also about leadership, responsibility, and collective action. Held at NYA Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 31, 2026, the event highlighted how artists like Olivia Rodrigo are shaping a more purposeful future for the industry and society at large.
As Olivia Rodrigo continues to elevate her voice beyond chart-topping hits, her recognition with this prestigious award underscores her commitment to using her platform for good—an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of music and the artists who wield it responsibly.
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