Derrick McKinney is an award-winning marketing executive, communications strategist, and entertainment entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in brand marketing, artist development, experiential marketing, public relations, social media strategy, and live event production. As CEO & Founder of L.O.U.D. Muzik, Derrick has built one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent entertainment marketing companies, creating innovative campaigns that connect artists, brands, media, and communities through culture.
Known for transforming traditional music promotion into immersive consumer experiences, Derrick has produced and marketed concerts, festivals, conferences, brand activations, listening experiences, networking events, and large-scale community celebrations that consistently generate significant media attention and audience engagement.
His work has helped launch and grow the careers of emerging artists while creating national marketing campaigns for established talent. Derrick has led successful campaigns for artists including Chris Murdaugh (formerly Fat Pimp), T!M NED, Skyrah Bliss, Lil Flip, and numerous independent artists, developing release strategies, media campaigns, influencer partnerships, experiential activations, and brand collaborations that extend well beyond traditional music marketing.
In 2026, Derrick led one of the most talked-about independent music marketing campaigns in the country by creating the first-ever album listening party in partnership with the iconic Shipley Do-Nuts brand. The activation transformed a retail location into a live entertainment experience, combining music, food, influencer marketing, broadcast media, and community engagement to promote T!M NED’s Late Nights In London (Deluxe). The campaign generated extensive social media engagement while showcasing how independent artists can create culturally relevant brand partnerships traditionally reserved for major labels.
Derrick also spearheaded the groundbreaking partnership between L.O.U.D. Muzik and Houston Dynamo FC during the FIFA World Cup Final festivities, producing L.O.U.D.FEST: Celebration of Soccer Edition at Shell Energy Stadium. The event united live music, sports, corporate sponsors, community organizations, and thousands of attendees in one of the first independent music festivals to collaborate with a Major League Soccer organization during a World Cup celebration. The festival demonstrated Derrick’s ability to bridge sports, entertainment, corporate partnerships, and community engagement on a large scale.
Beyond entertainment, Derrick has become a trusted marketing strategist for corporations, nonprofits, municipalities, and Fortune 500 brands seeking authentic connections with multicultural audiences. His expertise spans integrated marketing campaigns, experiential marketing, sponsorship strategy, influencer relations, public relations, community engagement, and brand positioning.
As a branding expert, Derrick develops identities that resonate emotionally with consumers while driving measurable business growth. He has successfully positioned artists, entrepreneurs, corporations, and lifestyle brands through storytelling, digital strategy, media relations, and culturally relevant marketing initiatives that increase visibility, consumer loyalty, and long-term brand equity.
A recognized social media strategist, Derrick specializes in building highly engaging campaigns through a combination of organic storytelling, influencer collaborations, paid advertising, creator partnerships, and experiential content. His campaigns consistently generate strong audience engagement by blending real-world experiences with digital-first storytelling.
Throughout his career, Derrick has curated entertainment experiences for major corporate and civic organizations. He served as the 2024 Music Curator for the African American Police Officers League Gala, designing an entertainment experience that honored the organization’s legacy while elevating the event’s production and guest experience. He has also curated entertainment and marketing experiences for organizations across sports, healthcare, education, government, and corporate America.
His expertise extends beyond event production into executive communications and public relations. Derrick has become a sought-after speaker and panelist on branding, entertainment marketing, entrepreneurship, and experiential marketing, including serving as a featured panelist during AfroTech Houston at The Heist House, where he discussed marketing, culture, and innovation within the entertainment industry.
Derrick’s leadership has earned widespread recognition throughout both the communications and entertainment industries. In 2025, he received the prestigious Houston PRSA Excalibur Award for CEO Communicator of the Year, recognizing his excellence in executive communications, strategic leadership, and public engagement. His work has also been recognized by the Houston Business Journal for executive leadership and innovation.
As the visionary behind L.O.U.D.FEST, L.O.U.D. Nights, The Executive Decision music business series, and numerous community-driven entertainment initiatives, Derrick continues to redefine how brands and artists connect with audiences. His philosophy centers on creating experiences that generate genuine cultural conversations while delivering measurable marketing results for artists, corporate partners, sponsors, and communities alike.
Today, Derrick continues to lead innovative campaigns that merge entertainment, sports, media, technology, and corporate marketing. Whether launching an emerging artist, negotiating strategic brand partnerships, producing large-scale festivals, or advising executives on communications strategy, Derrick McKinney remains at the forefront of experiential marketing—building campaigns that don’t simply capture attention, but create lasting cultural impact.