A2IM is thrilled to share our programming for A2IM Indie Week 2018 Presented by SoundExchange in partnership with American Airlines, BuzzAngle, CI, Jaxsta, Merlin’s 10 Year Anniversary, and Squarespace. These thoughtfully curated panels will cover a broad scope of topics affecting our industry and will showcase some of its top talent! Stay tuned for updates on daily schedules, panelists and keynote speakers. Buy your tickets here.
The list of panels and featured programming are below!
Want to check out the official Indie Week schedule?
Click here for the PDF or Download our new mobile app!
A2IM Indie Week Presented by SoundExchange
Official Panels:
The Power of Brand Storytelling
Beyond the music, what does a label have to do to sell a brand – or rather, a lifestyle? Today brands are no longer just selling a product. For a brand to have influence, it must embed itself in culture, be transparent about its values, and build a community. Whether building a brand around a label, artist, or a product, it’s essential for brands to create an experience around what their fans currently want, while anticipating what they’ll want later.
Finding Success in a Crowded Vinyl Marketplace
The vinyl marketplace has become increasingly competitive with renewed interest from major labels and a rise in re-issues. While the increase in vinyl sales is exciting for the independent community, we are now challenged to compete within the vinyl release cycle. This session will unveil exclusive and compelling marketing strategies designed for independent retail and those who can move the needle.
Develop Your Next Streaming Strategy for Breakout Artists
Playlists are the heavy hitter staple in the music industry. In this session, we’ll pull back the curtain on best practices for labels when developing a streaming strategy for their releases. A data-driven method for introducing listeners to the next hit and timeless favorites will be discussed as well as how streaming has transformed the way artists are marketed and break in today’s industry.
#MeToo, So What’s Next?
In 2017, the “Me Too” movement brought previously silenced stories to the forefront and suddenly launched a space where those impacted over the years felt empowered to speak out. This session will unpack solution-oriented ways the independent music community can become a healthier, safer, and more inclusive environment.
The Relationship Between Touring and Recorded Music Consumption
Touring continues to be a significant driver of music consumption. This session will explore how artists on the road can maximize their streaming revenue and better connect with fans.
Future of Rights Technology
You can’t talk about the future of the music industry without discussing the multitude of changes in rights technology. This session will examine options and best practices for artists and labels to keep a tight hold on their rights while streamlining the process.
Beyond Borders: The Global Label
Independent labels have an opportunity to maximize exposure and create a global extension of their brand. How can artists and labels find opportunities for success – both with physical and digital releases – outside of the United States?
This Isn’t A Black Mirror Episode: The Merging of the Digital and Physical Worlds with AI
In January 2018 Billboard reported that 1 in 6 Americans own a smart speaker – translating to about 39 million Americans. From Siri to Alexa, we’re interacting more with AI. How can labels capitalize on these technological advancements for music curation, distribution, and consumption?
Music Post-Net Neutrality
In an intimate conversation, we’ll explore the concept of net neutrality, the impact it has on the current state of the music industry, and what the future of the business looks like due to this decision.
Radio NOW
Our “Radio, NOW” panel will unveil radio opportunities open to independent labels. What are radio programmers looking for? How can we be proactive, continue to foster relationships, and think about radio and its place in a forward-thinking music ecosystem in a new light?
Easy Money: Capitalizing on Neighboring Rights
Much like performance rights, neighboring rights are a way for labels to make money. How does technology make it easier for labels to capitalize on neighboring rights and what do you need to do to claim this money?
State of Play: Fostering a Healthier Music Community
From school programs to live shows, music cultivates community, unites people, and celebrates diversity and creativity. Now more than ever, music is needed to celebrate culture and identity. What are some ways we can build a healthier music ecosystem right in our homebase? As we look ahead, how can we better support efforts to make cities and communities more music-friendly and make a difference for our artists and musicians?
Who’s Next: Making Way For A New Wave of Music Execs
A new crew of music leaders are blazing a trail in a challenging industry. From their point of view, the independent music community’s next in line will discuss what milestones they’ve reached throughout the first chapter of their career, and what the future of the industry looks like to them.
Unity in the Music Industry?
Key licensing reform wins on Capitol Hill, such as the signing of the Music Modernization Act, have brought the music community – including publishers, labels, songwriters, artists, composers, and PROs – together in ways not previously seen. Will this impact future legislation?
Latin Music Explosion
Latin music has created breakthrough moments, with global listening on Spotify up 110% in 2017. In this session, come learn about Latin music’s influence on today’s industry. We’ll talk about recent successes and reveal how you can dip into these markets.
The Future of Music: is gender balance possible in the next 5 years?
Find out how the European Keychange programme is empowering female artists and industry professionals to play a bigger role in music whilst encouraging music festivals to diversify their music stages by 2022.
Licensing & Publishing 101: The Nuts and Bolts
From licensing recordings to signing publishing deals, we’re going back to basics in this nuts and bolts 101 session. What should you look for in a third party representation?
Radio and the Economy: Presented by Barry Massarsky
Long-time music industry economist and consultant, Barry Massarsky will present his recent research on radio’s relative economic health. He’ll discuss radio’s significant reliance on sound recordings to drive its economic wealth, the long-standing inequalities between radio and other commercial users of music, and radio’s market status in the car dashboard.
Purchase your tickets to A2IM Indie Week Presented by SoundExchange.
Want to check out the official Indie Week schedule?
Click here for the PDF or Download our new mobile app!
A2IM Indie Week Presented by SoundExchange
Featured Programming:
RADIO • A/R • LEGAL • META DATA • PUBLICITY • DIGITAL STRATEGY
- Moderator:
- Dawn Griffith – Operations Director, Lyric Financial
- Panelists
- Tyron Bennion – SVP Global Sales, HyperWallet
- Joel Andrew – General Counsel, CD Baby
Jaxsta Presents – Credits and Metadata: Why They Matter
Music consumption has never been easier. However, with the rise of digital streaming services, one aspect has been all but lost – liner notes and the complete music credits they provide. Credits are invaluable to artists as a way of showcasing their works, acknowledging moral rights, permitting membership to organizations like the Recording Academy and kickstarting collaborations. Quality ‘metadata’ underpins the exchange and proliferation of credits within the music industry. So, we’ll be addressing what exactly music metadata is, how it’s utilised and what the future of music credits look like.
- Presenters:
- Jacqui Louez Schoorl – CEO and Co-Founder, Jaxsta
- Dick Huey – Head of Partnerships, Jaxsta
- Josh Jackson – Business Development and Industry Relations, UK & Europe, Jaxsta
Lyric Financial Presents – The New Business of Music
Given the tsunami of change the music industry is undergoing, there is no longer a one-size-fits-all business model. Learn from top artists and independent labels from a variety of genres who have succeeded in spite of the radical cultural and economic changes. Dive into the fundamentals of their business models, break down the economics and rationale behind them. Can you forecast ROI when looking at launching a new artist or product strategies in a streaming world and how do you finance those investments? Learn how to make the music business work for you.
- Presenters:
- Elli Ball – CEO, Lyric Financial
Merlin Presents – Merlin’s 10th Anniversary: Indies Leading the Digital Music Business
To say Merlin has transformed the digital music market is no exaggeration. Ten years ago, independent labels and distributors faced a dilemma: perfectly suited to the entrepreneurial spirit of online innovation but penalized at the negotiating table. While DSPs could secure major label repertoire via a handful of deals, partnering with indies was more challenging. It’d easily involve hundreds of conversations across multiple continents.
Today, Merlin represents the most valuable basket of rights outside the 3 majors and will soon surpass a half a billion dollars per year in royalty distributions. Independent businesses are positioned front and center in licensing negotiations, while their rights are correctly valued. But what of the future?
Celebrating their 10th anniversary, join Merlin CEO Charles Caldas and this panel of indie leaders to discuss the history and future of our business and how members utilize Merlin to grow their digital business.
- Moderator:
- Charles Caldas – CEO, Merlin
- Panelists:
- Kayla Ganz – Director of Streaming, Naxos
- Louis Posen – CEO, Hopeless Records
- Justin West – CEO, Secret City Records
Songtrust Presents – Global Publishing Administration and You
SoundCloud are pleased to host a workshop that offers tools, tips and case studies around how to build a career on the platform. SoundCloud will talk about how to set up a profile correctly, the importance of engagement on SoundCloud, the tools provided to artists and labels to make informed decisions as well as the marketing opportunities that are being offered to creators.
- Moderator:
- Molly Neuman – Global Head of Business Development, Songtrust
- Panelists:
- Jason Cerf – Business Development Manager, Songtrust
- Joe Conyers – Co-Founder & GM, Songtrust
- Elizabeth McBride – Music Publishing Operations Coordinator, Songtrust
- Lorenzo Cook – A&R/SDR, Songtrust
SoundCloud Presents – What’s Next in Music, is First on SoundCloud
SoundCloud are pleased to host a workshop that offers tools, tips and case studies around how to build a career on the platform. SoundCloud will talk about how to set up a profile correctly, the importance of engagement on SoundCloud, the tools provided to artists and labels to make informed decisions as well as the marketing opportunities that are being offered to creators.
- Presenters:
- Harrison Green –Label Relations Manager – Indies & Merlin, SoundCloud
- Tricia Tranquillo – Content Relations, SoundCloud
- Jack Bridges – Senior Manager – Label Relations, SoundCloud
- Julia Killer – Director – Label Relations, SoundCloud
Squarespace Presents- Websites & Music Marketing: A practical talk about maximizing an online presence in the Indie music industry
In this one hour discussion, join host Jessica Kausen (Strategic Marketing Partnerships at Squarespace) in conversation with Seth Daggett (Web Designer) and Alec Steinfeld (Artist Manager) as they explore the dos and don’t of creating great websites in the Indie music industry. They’ll cover the pain points of music marketing, recent web trends, and share practical advice to guide your online marketing strategy.
- Moderator:
- Jessica Kausen – Strategic Marketing Partnerships, Squarespace
- Panelists:
- Seth Daggett – Web Designer, Freelance
- Alec Steinfeld – Artist Manager, C3 Presents
Pandora Presents – Pandora Workshop
Members of Pandora’s Artist Marketing and Next Big Sound teams will be on-hand to present best practices for how the independent music community can best leverage the suite of tools available on Pandora to both drive success and guide data-driven marketing decisions. We’ll share the latest updates around Pandora’s Artist Marketing Platform (AMP) in addition to exploring Next Big Sound’s approach to understanding an artist’s data in the context of the industry around them.
- Presenters:
- Mike Fink – Senior Director – Artist Marketing and Label Relations, Pandora
- Marisa Fair – Director – Industry Relations and Artist Marketing, Pandora
- Brittany Holloway – Client Services Analysts, Pandora
PRS Keychange Presents – The Future of Music: Is Gender Balance Possible in the Next 5 Years?
Find out how the European Keychange programme is empowering female artists and industry professionals to play a bigger role in music whilst encouraging music festivals to diversify their music stages by 2022.
- Moderator:
- Vanessa Reed – CEO, PRS Music Foundation
- Panelists:
- Marina Adam – Manager – Ontario Music Office, Ontario Media Development Corporation
- Leah Fischman – Board Chair, Annenberg Inclusion Initiative
- Alexandra Rosen – Senior Manager – Communications, A2IM
- Alex Schulz – Founder, Reeperbahn Festival
- Presenters:
- Jessica Fusco – Senior Manager – Artist & Label Services, Spotify
- Jennifer Masset – Head of Independent Support, Spotify
- Nathan Wiszniak – Head of Canada, Artist & Label Marketing, Spotify
A2IM’s Education Committee Presents Free Hands-On Workshop Series at Indie Week 2018:
Do you need an introduction to QuickBooks, or a refresher on what’s new? Have you been running your label for a while but want to get some suggestions for best practices in Royalty Accounting? Do you have a team member who would benefit from a class in Public Speaking? A2IM’s newly-established Education Committee will present hands-on workshops at Indie Week 2018 in these three fields. These small group, classroom-style workshops will allow participants a one-on-one opportunity to gain practical knowledge. In order to maximize learning, capacity is limited to 15 participants per session. Follow the links below to claim your spot now — all Indie Week badge holders are eligible, and a confirmation email will be sent to you once you sign up.
Follow the links below to claim your spot. A confirmation email will be sent to you:
Public Speaking Workshop – led by Alison Wenham – CEO, Worldwide Independent Network
Royalty Accounting Workshop – led by Jennifer Cary – GM Rights & Royalties, Ingrooves
Basic Accounting & Quickbooks – led by Joe Romano – President, Romano & Associates CPA
Purchase your tickets to A2IM Indie Week Presented by SoundExchange.
Want to check out the official Indie Week schedule?
Click here for the PDF or Download our new mobile app!