Award-winning music journalist Ivie Ani is adding a major new title to her résumé after being named a Culture Ambassador for Martell Cognac, marking a new chapter in her work across music, media and fashion.
Ani, a New York University alum, has built a profile through journalism, strategy and cultural storytelling, with much of her work focused on identity and Black culture across the global diaspora.
Now, her perspective will become part of Martell’s Culture Ambassadors platform, which centers cultural expression, storytelling and collective achievement.
Lanre Odutola, Head of Culture & Partnerships at Martell, said Ani brings a distinct perspective to the platform, particularly through her work documenting Afrobeats and African culture.
“She is someone who has been actively documenting culture, shaping stories and helping audiences understand the people behind Afrobeats and African culture,” Odutola said.
He also praised Ani’s connection to audiences across the diaspora, describing her perspective as thoughtful and deeply connected to contemporary culture.
For Ani, the appointment aligns closely with the work she has already been doing throughout her career.
“I’ve spent my career documenting culture across the diaspora,” Ani said. “Joining Martell as a Culture Ambassador feels deeply aligned with the work I have done.”
She also emphasized the importance of storytelling in preserving culture while allowing it to evolve.
“Culture moves through stories, sound, memory and community,” Ani said. “For me, my work has always been about amplifying those voices with care, authenticity, and accuracy.”
Ani said the role is also about creating room for emerging perspectives and helping the next generation see themselves reflected in cultural narratives.
“It is about upholding tradition while continuing to innovate,” she added. “Creating space for new perspectives and helping the next generation see themselves in the story.”
Ani joins fellow Culture Ambassadors Adesope Olajide and Abdul Abdullah, who have been part of Martell’s platform since 2025.
The new appointment comes during an active period for Ani. In July, she was among the journalists involved in J. Cole’s The Fall-Off magazine, a 144-page project featuring interviews with artists including GloRilla, Beanie Sigel and Lil Yachty.
Ani also marked the Martell appointment on X, highlighting the people who have supported her career.
“No manager, no talent agency, no team—just the work, people who believe in it, and people who believe in me,” she wrote.
With the Martell role, Ani now has another platform through which to bring her journalism and cultural perspective to a wider audience—this time from inside one of the world’s best-known cognac houses.
