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The Buzz – 2023 Grammy Awards

The Big Number

30
Percent increase in audience over last year's awards.

This year’s CBS telecast drew 12.4 million total viewers, up 30 percent from last year, reaching a three-year high. In addition, Paramount+ streamed the awards which was also up 33% from last year.

BRAND IMPLICATIONS

Brands had many memorable moments at this year’s Grammys and some will be more excited than others about the attention they received. While any publicity can be good publicity, Trevor Noah’s opening monologue referenced the backlash against Mars after the candy maker replaced their spokescandies with comic Maya Rudolph. He also joked about Southwest Airlines’ recent issues with travel delays. The stage is now set for both to capitalize on the moment and get the last laugh.

Other brands fared better on the night by making the evening’s entertainment a part of their ad messaging using the awards, the nominees, or both to connect with consumers. Shortly after Brandi Carlile played on stage, Paramount+ (who streamed the awards) ran an ad for Hilton featuring the Grammy winner. Tillamook, Microsoft’s Pixel, and others all had Grammy-related ads running throughout the show. 

Trevor Noah standing in the crowd at the Grammys

Ben Takeaways

VIOLA DAVIS IS AN EGOT

Not every history-making moment took place during the primetime event – earlier in the day, Viola Davis officially achieved EGOT status with her win for narrating the audiobook version of her memoir, “Finding Me”. 

Viola Davis giving her Grammy acceptance speech
VIola Davis is the third Black woman to earn EGOT status.

"UNHOLY" MAKES HISTORY

In an awards show that seemed to be celebrating diversity and inclusion at nearly every turn, it began on a highly relevant note with the first openly transgender award winner, Kim Petras, winning for her “Unholy” duet with Sam Smith. 

Kim Petras accepting her Grammy award with Sam Smith
The duo performed "Unholy" later in the show.

MOTOWNPHILLY BACK AGAIN

In a tribute to Motown, all eyes were on Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Chris Stapleton. But what viewers might not have known, was that the four young men singing backup are the sons of Boyz II Men’s Wanya Morris, also known as WanMor. 

WanMore performing at the Grammys
They were the first artists to be signed to Mary J. Blige’s new label, Beautiful Life Productions, and 300 Entertainment.

STILL THE QUEEN "B"

Beyonce has now been crowned Grammy’s most awarded person in the awards show’s history, despite losing out, again, for Album of the Year (which went to Harry Styles for “Harry’s House”. 

Beyonce during the Grammy Awards
She has won 32 Grammys total as of 2023.

Special thanks to Nicole Wolfe for contributing to The Buzz – 2023 Grammy Awards.

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