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By Anslem Samuel | Published January 11, 2011 | Full size is 500 × 320 pixels

Steve Stoute is the man that blue-chip companies call on when they want to connect with the young, urban demographic. The founder and CEO of Translation L.L.C. not only breaks the rules but attracts a whole new audience for traditional brands—and generates millions for his clients while he's doing it. When HP wanted to make its Pavillion notebook computer relevant to young adult consumers, Stoute tapped the man who most symbolizes success for the hip-hop generation: rapper/entrepreneur Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. It's all about having the right message in a powerful package.

Steve Stoute is the man that blue-chip companies call on when they want to connect…