Luke Bryan to participate in Verizon's 'The Big Concert for Small Business' during Super Bowl LV after-party

Verizon puts purpose into action, helping 1M small businesses and committing $10M

Country music superstar Luke Bryan will perform as part of “The Big Concert for Small Business,” Verizon’s after-party for Super Bowl LV, on Sunday, Feb. 7 (11 p.m. ET). Hosted by Tiffany Haddish, the event will also feature performances by Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, Christina Aguilera, Eric Church, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan and Miley Cyrus. The concert will be livestreamed on Yahoo, Fios, @Verizon on Twitter, Twitch, YouTube and TikTok, and broadcasted on BET, CBS Sports Network, CMT, MTV2 and MTV Live, as well as aired on iHeart and Sirius. The event is curated and produced by RocNation.

“I am excited to be a part of Verizon’s ‘The Big Concert for Small Business,’ ” Bryan said. “Small businesses are such an important part of our communities. I was honored to participate in their ‘Pay It Forward Live’ series back in March of 2020. We need to make sure we are continuing to support them, and I love that Verizon has stayed committed to raise awareness on their behalf.”

Verizon is making a multiyear commitment to bring 1 million small businesses forward by 2030 with resources to help them succeed in the digital economy. Verizon is committing $10 million to small business support through the nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC), focusing on business owners in historically underserved communities.

Using #BigConcertSmallBiz viewers can tag their favorite small businesses or text SMALLBIZ to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10 to LISC.

Verizon has partnered with select Tampa-area small businesses to equip them with 5G connectivity and tools to accelerate their digital transformation and aid in their recovery.

A press release said, “As small business owners across the country continue to face uncertainty amid the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verizon announces a number of initiatives to support their recovery and aid in their survival through the pandemic and beyond. The company is committing $10 million to provide grants to small businesses through LISC, a national nonprofit that invests in affordable housing, economic development, health, education and jobs nationwide, and will launch a customized, multiweek training program for small business owners and entrepreneurs, offering tools, technology and resources. These initiatives are part of Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, social and environmental advancement.”

Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business, said, “For small business owners today, we know that opening a digital front door is as important as a physical one. This multi-year effort underscores the role financial assistance, technology and training will play in rebuilding small businesses for both short-term and long-term economic recovery.”

Verizon CMO Diego Scotti said, “When we launched ‘Pay It Forward Live,’ the weekly entertainment series that supported small businesses last March, we had no idea the need for help would still be so critical almost a year later. We made magic happen by collaborating with the entertainment industry and mobilizing the public, impacting thousands of businesses. We’re doing it again, in an even bigger way, with the ‘Big Concert for Small Business,’ bringing people together after Super Bowl LV to help the small businesses that are the heart of the American economy.”

Verizon’s training program will provide in-depth assistance through end-to-end resources – including curriculum, mentorship, networking and incentives, such as 5G products and services and connection to affordable capital – with the goal of engaging 100,000 businesses per year. Full details will be available in May. For the latest information, visit www.Verizon.com/smallbusinesstraining.

To rally support, Verizon is asking the public to share what local small businesses they can't live without. From Feb. 1-7, individuals can tag their favorite small business on Twitter using #BigConcertSmallBiz for a virtual spotlight during Verizon’s “Big Concert for Small Business” Super Bowl after-party concert. Verizon is also supporting a text-to-give campaign. Wireless users on any carrier can text SMALLBIZ to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10 to LISC.

The press release noted, “As 5G technology continues to advance, Verizon is helping small business owners realize the potential of 5G to revolutionize the way they operate, increasing productivity and lowering operational costs. In a recent Verizon Business 5G Enterprise Report, 63% of small business decision makers felt that businesses that do not adopt 5G will fall behind their peers. Additionally, nearly a third (31%) are either currently or planning to, within the next six months, provide employees an allowance or stipend to upgrade their wireless device and service to 5G. …

“These efforts to impact the long-term survival of small businesses and the kick off concert the night of the game are part of Verizon's actions to bring the Super Bowl LV experience forward with 5G built right. After a year like no other, innovation to move the world forward and bring people together safely is more important than ever.”