Procter & Gamble Rockers "The Consumer Republic" Win Eighth Annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands

Trading suits for guitars and neckties for drums, Procter & Gamble’s The Consumer Republic from Switzerland was crowned international champion during the eighth annual FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands hosted Saturday, October 4, at the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (The Rock Hall). Leading up to the finals, eight corporate bands were chosen during a series of regional semi-final events across the United States. Prior to their win in Cleveland, The Consumer Republic secured their ticket to the finals by winning a regional competition in London.

“More than ever, people of all ages are making music as a means of stress relief, personal enjoyment and a way to bond with friends and family,” said Joe Lamond, President and CEO of NAMM, the international trade association for the music products industry, and one of the event partners. “We are even seeing more businesses turning to making music to get creative during brainstorming and to build relationships between different departments and levels.”

Created in 2001, the FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands encourages friendly competition between a diverse collection of companies that recognize how music helps develop teamwork, discipline, creativity, passion, harmony and commitment—all valued skills in business. And with 82 percent (according to a NAMM-funded Harris Poll) of people who don’t currently play an instrument wishing they did, these bands prove that even in the high-stress corporate environment, people are coming together to make music and live out the rock and roll fantasy.

Hailing from Switzerland, The Consumer Republic made their U.S. debut at The Rock Hall, mixing a blend of old and new rock classics. In addition to taking home first place at the competition, lead singer Michael Jouveaux received individual honors for top vocalist, while Mike Aldridge tied Theo Mordley of NBC Universal (High Definition) for top drummer billing at the competition.

At each of three U.S. regional competitions, six bands were chosen to play a 20-minute set. In addition to the U.S. competitions, five bands vying for one finalist slot competed in the European regional competition in London, which also featured 20-minute performances. The eight finalists are comprised of the top two finishers in each U.S. regional event, the winner of the London regional competition and one wild-card band. This year’s finalists were Enerock (Enernoc / Boston); D7 (Darwin Professional Underwriters / Farmington, Conn.); High Definition (NBC / Valencia, Calif.); 4-Inch Studs (MBH Architects / Alameda, Calif.); Second Shift (Salt River Project / Tempe, Ariz.); Strat 5 (Healthways / Nashville); Looming Larger (GE Healthcare / Wisconsin) and The Consumer Republic (Proctor & Gamble / Geneva, Switzerland).

Rounding out the podium at The Rock Hall were second place finishers 4-Inch Studs, who also won best guitarist for Bruce Clement’s performance, and the third place band, D7 of Darwin Professional Underwriters. In addition to their tie for best drummer, NBC Universal also took home top keyboardist honors, thanks to the performance by Roger Rivas. Mike Mann of Enerock was named best bassist.

The winning band will travel to Cleveland in April 2009 to attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands is a partnership between NAMM, the not-for-profit trade association of the international music products industry, FORTUNE magazine and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and celebrates the positive effects of getting together to make music. Along with FORTUNE, NAMM and The Rock Hall, the Battle of the Corporate Bands is sponsored by Gibson Guitar, KeyBank, Air Products and Sonicbids.

All proceeds from the FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands competition will benefit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's award-winning educational programming, which explores the impact that modern music has on our culture, politics and society. Tens of thousands of students and visitors of all ages are reached annually in Northeast Ohio, the United States and around the world through The Rock Hall's programming.