Industry news & advice blog

Generator, the UK’s leading music development agency, will be hosting four free panel discussions focusing on the impact of technology and innovation on the music industry this November in Newcastle, titled Music Futures.

Taking place between 15-18 November at Newcastle’s Northern Stage theatre, the events bring together experts in the fields of digital marketing, music distribution, licensing with leading technology companies and commentators.

Featuring representatives from Universal Music, SoundCloud, Music Ally, Woodwork Music, Napster, PRS for Music and [PIAS] Entertainment Group each evening seminar will cover a different topic and will invite feedback from musicians and businesses in attendance.

Following on from Generator’s hugely successful seminar series The Know How, which was fully subscribed for four nights at Tyneside Cinema in May this year, Music Futures aims to uncover new business models and look at emerging markets.

Damian Baetens, Business Development Director, Generator said: “This is the first time we’ve run a series like this focusing on new technologies and their impact on business. Music enterprises can adapt and create innovative responses to changes in the industry and there are a lot of new markets out there.

“We’re especially pleased to be able to assemble such varied and knowledgeable panels for all four nights from industry leaders and people working at the forefront of new developments.”

The first evening titled ‘Will technology revive the industry?’ takes a look at cloud and mobile solutions, new revenue streams and distribution models for music. The event will be chaired by Paul Brindley of Music Ally and features The Register’s Andrew Orlowski, James Healy from Universal Music, Scott Cohen from The Orchard and Tim Hadley from OmniFone.

This will be followed by Tuesday’s event around platforms: ‘Digital Platforms: Broadcast or distribute?’. Bringing together representatives from SoundCloud (Dave Haynes), mflow (Don Jenkins), we7 (Colin Rice) and Napster (Ian Greaves) the panel will discuss how to monetise online distribution and sharing and the differences between various online platforms.

Wednesday’s panel is lead by Rachel Wood from Woodwork Music and looks at ‘New markets for licensing and brands’. Will Page from PRS for Music and Gary Downing from Frukt Music will look at partnerships between artists and brands, the benefits to both parties and their value to the industry.

The final session is focused on online media, entitled: ‘Is online media the industry’s gatekeeper?’ Panelists representing online publications, communications and labels will ask whether bloggers are fulfilling part of a traditional A&R role, do artists fill in some of the gaps themselves with their activity and do labels take online media seriously? Karen Piper from Radar Maker and James McMahon from STUNT (ex of NME) sit on the panel alongside Alex Fordham, Authority Communications and Darren Hemmings, [PIAS] Entertainment Group.

These events are part of Generator’s ‘Building the Business of Music’ programme, a £1.64m business support initiative for the music industry which will help 240 small and medium sized enterprises and create up to 100 new jobs in the region.

Building the Business of Music is part-financed by £822,347 from the European Regional Development Fund 2007-13, secured through regional development agency One North East. This has been matched by a range of funders including the Arts Council, Big Lottery, the Working Neighbourhood Fund, Heritage Lottery fund the Northern Rock Foundation and Generation 2012.

Places on all panels are free, but limited, and must be reserved in advance. Book online at www.generator.org.uk/musicfutures

Music Futures
Northern Stage, Newcastle
November 15-18
6-8pm

Will technology revive the industry?
Monday 15 November
Free entry, 6-8pm
Paul Brindley (Music Ally), Andrew Orlowski (The Register), Scott Cohen (The Orchard), Tim Hadley (OmniFone) and James Healy (Universal Music)

Digital Platforms: Broadcast or distribute?
Tuesday 16 November
Free entry, 6-8pm
Dave Haynes (SoundCloud), Don Jenkins (mflow), Colin Rice (we7) and Ian Greaves (Napster)

New markets for licensing and brands
Wednesday 17 November
Free entry, 6-8pm
Rachel Wood (Woodwork Music), Will Page (PRS for Music) and Gary Downing (Frukt Music)

Is online media the industry’s gatekeeper?
Thursday 18 November
Free entry, 6-8pm
Karen Piper (Radar Maker), James McMahon (STUNT), Alex Fordham (Authority Communications) and Darren Hemmings ([PIAS] Entertainment Group)

For more information visit the website below.
 

Related Links

http://www.generator.org.uk/musicfutures

---

Tags

generator, music futures, music technology, music business, music industry event