McDonald’s announced an exciting opportunity for up-and-coming music artists to launch their careers on a national stage — an upcoming McDonald’s commercial. The program is in conjunction with Artists & Brands, a company created in partnership with Grammy Award-Winning Producer Rodney Jerkins.

“Music has always been an integral element to McDonald’s brand and our marketing,” said Marlena Peleo-Lazar, vice president and chief creative officer, McDonald’s USA. “Through our new relationship with Artists & Brands, we are energizing our musical heritage by creating unique opportunities for bright new artists to showcase their talents in our brand communication.”

Undiscovered artists can upload their original music to the Artists & Brands Web site (www.artistsandbrands.com) where McDonald’s marketing executives and the Artists & Brands team – helmed by Jerkins, music and marketing executive Ira Antelis and music attorney Daryl Jones – will review and select artists that truly shine for McDonald’s. Once an artist is selected, Artists & Brands will produce a track for a McDonald’s database of commercial-ready songs, as well as two additional singles that will be available for $.99 on www.artistsandbrands.com.

The site also serves as the hub for new and emerging artist bios, video profiles and “behind-the-scenes” footage from recording sessions, including I.B. Fokuz, a Chicago native who was the first artist selected by the Artists & Brands team. His original song, “Got It In the Bag,” is featured in “Woofer,” a McDonald’s commercial.

Beginning in June, Rodney Jerkins will select an “Artist of the Month,” who will be featured on the website and receive industry counsel directly from Jerkins.