City of Hope®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, today announced that Larry Mestel, Founder and CEO of Primary Wave Music, will receive the 2026 Spirit of Life® Award for the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry. He will be honored at a gala on October 27, 2026, at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.

The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious philanthropic honor, recognizing visionary leaders whose contributions advance innovation, compassion and progress. Mestel is being recognized for his transformative impact on the music industry and his belief in the power of partnership—bringing artists, estates and collaborators together—to create lasting change.

“We are proud to honor Larry Mestel with the Spirit of Life Award,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope. “What stands out about Larry is not just what he’s built, but how he’s built it through trust, partnership and shared vision. At City of Hope, that same approach is what defines our philanthropic community, bringing people together around something bigger than themselves: changing what’s possible for patients and families facing cancer.”

Mestel founded Primary Wave Music in 2006, pioneering a new model for stewarding and expanding the value of iconic music catalogs. Under his leadership, the company has grown into the largest independent music publishing company in the world, representing more than 100,000 songs from legendary artists including Bob Marley, Prince, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, Notorious B.I.G., INXS, Olivia Newton John, and James Brown among many others.

 

Beyond publishing, Primary Wave has evolved into a full-service music publishing company spanning branding, marketing, film and television production, and estate management—bringing creative legacies to new audiences in innovative ways.

“City of Hope represents what’s possible when people come together around a shared purpose,” said Mestel. “In music, collaboration is essential—and that same mindset is critical in the fight against cancer. With my younger sister having passed away from cancer last year, the City of Hope has even more meaning to me, and I am honored to support an organization that is advancing cancer research and care for patients and families.”

Evan Lamberg, president of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and chair of City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry board, emphasized Mestel’s impact and leadership: “We are so honored to have Larry Mestel as our distinguished honoree for City of Hope’s Spirit of Life 2026. Larry and his Primary Wave team have already made a big impact for City of Hope and the event on October 27th, 2026 will certainly be one to remember.”

Alissa Pollack, executive vice president of global music marketing at iHeartMedia and president of City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry board, added: “Larry’s influence on the music industry is undeniable, but what stands out just as much is his commitment to collaboration and long-term impact. The Spirit of Life campaign is a powerful reminder of what this industry can accomplish when we come together, and Larry is the kind of leader who inspires that collective action.”

Mestel’s leadership has earned widespread recognition, including repeated appearances on Billboard’s Power List and Power 100, as well as honors from Goldman Sachs and inclusion in Variety 500. His work as a producer across film, television and immersive experiences further reflects his commitment to storytelling and cultural impact.

The Music, Film and Entertainment Industry has played a vital role in supporting City of Hope for decades, uniting artists, executives and partners in a shared mission to advance research and care. The 2026 campaign will continue that tradition, bringing the industry together in support of progress against cancer. The Spirit of Life Gala will convene leaders from across entertainment, philanthropy and health care for an evening of celebration and purpose. Proceeds will support City of Hope’s innovative research and patient care programs.