The inaugural MUSEXPO Europe kicks off on Monday October 27th at The Cumberland Hotel in London, England and concludes on Wednesday October 29th with industry showcases in the heart of London with 18 acts taking the stage at The Metro and Borderline.
The inaugural MUSEXPO Europe has also been described by many of the UK and European music industry leaders as one of the best lineups of industry leaders to come together in the UK and London outside of The Brits. “It’s a great honor and privilege to be asked to host an event of the caliber of MUSEXPO in my homeland of England,” commented MUSEXPO Founder Sat Bisla, who was born and raised in the humbling blue-collar town of Wolverhampton, England. “It was at the encouragement of many of our closest and most trusted friends and industry leaders within the UK and Europe that we are bringing this event to London, England. The response and participation of so many key executives from the music, media and technology sectors has far exceeded our expectations. We are looking forward to welcoming the world to London, England for MUSEXPO Europe.”
Ged Doherty
Harvey Goldsmith
Steve Schnur
George Ergatoudis
Daniel Miller
Some of the MUSEXPO Europe attendees include: Ged Doherty – Chairman & Chief Executive, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, UK & Ireland; Harvey Goldsmith – Founder, Harvey Goldsmith Presents; Steve Schnur – Worldwide Executive of Music & Marketing, EA Games; George Ergatoudis – Head of Music, BBC Radio 1; Jeff Smith, Head of Music, BBC Radio 2; Daniel Miller – Founder/Chairman, Mute Records.
Richard Russell
Alex Patsavas
Nick Gatfield
Max Lousada
Jessica Koravos
Richard Russell – CEO, XL Recordings; Shabs Jobanputra – Managing Director, Relentless; Brian Rose - Commercial Director, Universal Music UK & Ireland; Iain Watt – Founder, Machine Management (Mika); Kevin Wall – Founder/CEO, Control Room & Live Earth; Martin Dodd – Executive VP A&R Worldwide, Sony Music Int’l/President 20 – 20; Nick Gatfield ñ President A&R Labels, EMI, N. America, UK & Ireland; Mark Jones ñ Founder, Wall of Sound; Max Lousada ñ President, Atlantic Records.
Nick Raphael
Adam Tudhope
Alicen Catron Schneider
Tommy Ramone
Seymour Stein
Nick Raphael – Managing Director, Epic Records; Christian Tattersfield – Chairman/CEO, 14th Floor Recordings/Good Soldier Songs; Petri Lunden – Chairman, IMMF (Int’l Music Managers Forum); Bob Miller – President, Running Media (Corinne Bailey Rae);James Sandom – Supervision Management (The Kaiser Chiefs); Jonathan Shalit – Managing Director, Shalit Global Ent’t & Management (Jamelia); Adam Tudhope – Managing Director Everybody-s (Keane); Nick Detnon, Partner, Dirtee Stank (Dizzee Rascal); Tommy Ramone (The Ramones); Seymour Stein – Chairman, Sire Records Group to name but just a very few.
The inaugural MUSEXPO Europe kicks off on Monday, October 27th at The Cumberland Hotel in London, England and concludes on Wednesday, October 29th with industry showcases in the heart of London. MUSEXPO Europe will showcase 18 artists from 10 countries and welcome delegates from two dozen countries on four continents.
Owen Thomas
Ged Doherty
MUSEXPO Europe and its conference team intend to keep the event intimate, inspiring and informative as always. The event will retain a similar ethos to the A&R Worldwide networking dinners started back in 2001, which are the foundation of MUSEXPO and the inspiration for what MUSEXPO’s ideology is all about. MUSEXPO brings together executives from the music, media and technology sectors from both within the UK and int’l community in a personal, interactive and forward-thinking manner. In addition, the conference has organized a stellar lineup of showcasing artists! With hundreds of A&R, publishing, booking, film/TV synch licensing executives, press/media and more from around the world attending this year’s inaugural MUSEXPO Europe, the expectations are high for many acts to walk away with tangible outcomes, as well as post-signing success, thanks to the development foundation already in place for many of the showcasing artists. In addition, executives attending the event are in for a treat as the diversity of global attendees and companies to network and do business with is some of the strongest any industry event in London has seen in many years.
Harvey Goldsmith
Steve Schnur
Confirmed speakers at MUSEXPO Europe event include: Owen Thomas – Anchor, BBC World News; Ged Doherty – Chairman & Chief Executive, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, UK & Ireland; Harvey Goldsmith – Founder, Harvey Goldsmith Presents; Rebekah Horne – Managing Director, MySpace Europe; Steve Schnur – Worldwide Executive of Music & Marketing, EA Games.
George Ergatoudis – Head of Music, BBC Radio 1; Jeff Smith, Head of Music, BBC Radio 2; Daniel Miller – Founder/Chairman, Mute Records; Richard Russell – CEO, XL Recordings; Stuart Galbraith – CEO, Kilimanjaro Live; David Glick – Founder, The Edge Group; Shabs Jobanputra – Managing Director, Relentless; Brian Rose - Commercial Director, Universal Music UK & Ireland.
Nick Gatfield
Iain Watt – Founder, Machine Management (Mika); Kevin Wall – Founder/CEO, Control Room & Live Earth; Martin Dodd – Executive VP A&R Worldwide Sony Music Int’l/President 20 – 20; Nick Gatfield – President A&R Labels, EMI, N. America, UK & Ireland; Mark Jones – Founder, Wall of Sound; Max Lousada – President, Atlantic Records.
Nick Raphael – Managing Director, Epic Records; Christian Tattersfield – Chairman/CEO, 14th Floor Recordings/Good Soldier Songs; Petri Lunden – Chairman, IMMF (Int’l Music Managers Forum); Bob Miller – President, Running Media (Corinne Bailey Rae); James Sandom – Supervision Management (The Kaiser Chiefs); Jonathan Shalit – Managing Director, Shalit Global Ent’t & Management (Jamelia); Adam Tudhope – Managing Director Everybody-s (Keane); Nick Detnon, Partner, Dirtee Stank (Dizzee Rascal)
Seymour Stein
Jessica Koravos
Tommy Ramone (The Ramones); Seymour Stein – Chairman, Sire Records Group;
John Kennedy – DJ, Xfm London & Manchester; Emma Banks – Co-head, Creative Artists’ Agency (UK); Michael Chugg – President, Chugg Entertainment (Australia); Ossy Hoppe – Founder/Managing Director, Wizard Promotion (Germany);Jessica Koravos – Managing Director, AEG Live (UK); Brian Nielsen – CEO, Skandinavian Booking & Management Agency (Scandinavia).
Oum Pradutt – Founder/Managing Director, Phase 1 Events & Ent’t (India); Dave Goldberg – Entrepreneur in Residence, Benchmark Capital; Rob Lewis – Co-Founder/CEO, Omnifone; Panos Panay – Founder/CEO, Sonicbids; Ian Rogers – CEO, Topspin; Steven Stewart – Sr. Music Manager, Nokia; Dave Ulmer – Sr. Director, Multimedia Products, Motorola; Rob Wells – Sr. Vice President, Digital, Universal Music Group International.
Ted Cohen, Founder, Tag Strategic;
Clive Dickins – Chief Operating Officer, Absolute Radio International; Mark Findlay – Head Of Music, Capital & The One Network (GCap Media); Richard Kingsmill – Music Director, Triple J Radio (Australia); John Lenac - Head Of Programming & Artist/Label Relations, Yahoo! Inc.; Gene Sandbloom – Operations Manager, “World Famous” KROQ Los Angeles; Marianne Goode – Vice President Music, Lifetime Television & Lifetime Entertainment; Richard Kirstein – Managing Director, Leap Music.
Alex Patsavas
Doug Mark – Founder, Mark Music & Media Law, P.C. LA & NY; Martin Morales – Executive Director, Disney Music Group (Europe, Middle East & Africa); Alex Patsavas – Founder, Chop Shop Music (Grey’s Anatomy, Without A Trace, Gossip Girl); Alicen Catron Schneider – Vice President Music Creative Services, NBC Universal Television; Martin Talbot – Managing Director, The Official UK Charts Company; Jeremy Fabinyi – Managing Director of Mechanicals, MCPS-PRS Alliance; Jeremy Lascelles – CEO, Chrysalis Music Group; Sas Metcalfe – Executive VP of Creative Affairs, Kobalt Music Group.
Sarah Stennett – Partner, Stennett and Spraggon Solicitors; Christian Wahlberg – Co-Founder/Managing Director, Murlyn Music Group (Sweden); Mike Walsh – Head of Music, Xfm UK; Emmanuel Legrand – Editor, Impact Music Publishers Magazine; Joe Taylor – Partner, Field Recordings/Nuxx Publishing & Contributing Writer RotD; Andrew Phillips – Media Consultant, Channel 4 (UK);
Paul Williams – Editor, Music Week; Ajax Scott – Woodshed Media; Mike Tunnicliffe – Founder/President, Tuna Music(contributor Ad Age, Brand Week);
Jack Horner – Joint Managing Director/Creative Director, Frukt; Chris Barrett – Features Editor, Music Week; Joel Harrison - Partner, Party Approved; Allan McGowan – News Editor, VIP News and Nicola Slade – Contributing Editor, Record of the Day.
MORE KEY EUROPEAN EXECUTIVES JOIN MUSEXPO EUROPE LINEUP
MUSEXPO Europe is pleased to announce the addition of Richard Russell, CEO, XL Recordings and Daniel Miller, Founder and Chairman, Mute Records, heads of two of the world’s most successful independent labels, to its stellar executive lineup at its inaugural London event, which is being held from October 27 – 29 at The Cumberland Hotel. The two independent music mavericks will participate on a special Q&A session with the highly respected UK music industry journalist Ajax Scott, Woodshed Media (formerly Editor of the leading UK trade publication Music Week).
Richard Russell
Daniel Miller
Rebekah Horne
Richard Russell is regarded as one of the British music industry’s most influential and successful, albeit media-shy, figures. He founded the independent record label XL Recordings in 1989 (in partnership with Beggars Banquet Records) to release early rave and electronic music on 12” vinyl. One of those signings was the The Prodigy, who became one of the three best-selling UK artists of the nineties. Since then the label has broadened its musical brief and has signed other credible artists including The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Dizzee Rascal, Basement Jaxx, M.I.A., Devendra Banhart and Thom Yorke. XL continues to be recognized as a leader in taking cutting-edge music to the mainstream.
Daniel Miller launched Mute Records in 1978; it’s since morphed into an international company representing an artist roster including Depeche Mode, Moby, Nick Caveand the Bad Seeds and Goldfrapp, among others. But perhaps Mute is more clearly defined by the spirit of adventure behind its commitment to artists as varied as Diamanda Galás, NON and Liars. The balance of song, appealing pop and avant-garde noise not only reflects Miller’s broad-ranging taste; it also accounts for Mute’s commercial and critical success through a turbulent but exciting period in the history of the music business. Miller has maintained his initial philosophy of running Mute as a critique of, and alternative to, the mainstream music industry.
Also added to the MUSEXPO Europe keynote lineup and making her first appearance at any European conference in her new position at MySpace Europe is Rebekah Horne, Managing Director, MySpace Europe. Horne is responsible for overseeing MySpace global initiatives for the UK and all of continental Europe. Horne will join Ged Doherty, Chairman & Chief Executive, Sony BMG Music Ent’t UK & Ireland; Steve Schnur, Worldwide Head of Music & Marketing, EA Games, Harvey Goldsmith, Founder, Harvey Goldsmith Presents; and moderator Owen Thomas, Anchor, BBC World News for MUSEXPO Europe’s much anticipated opening keynote panel on Monday, October 27th.
Horne is the founding employee of MySpace Australia and ascended quickly into the role of MySpace Australia and New Zealand’s Marketing Manager in 2006, presiding over the local Australian launch in August of that year. Later that year she was promoted to General Manager of the newly created Fox Interactive Media division, which includes associated digital properties including film site Rotten Tomatoes and men’s lifestyle portal Ask Men. Most recently she held the role of Vice President Fox Interactive Media. Horne started her new job in September and oversees MySpace’s entire European operations, which includes a dozen localized country sites, from her London base. Australia and NZ still remain within her remit. Horne has also previously worked as a marketing executive at two major labels and was a former executive at Optus mobile in Australia.
Nick Detnon, Partner, Dirtee Stank and manager of one of Europe’s most successful homegrown hip-hop artists Dizzee Rascal has confirmed his participation on the eagerly anticipated Global Managers Forum at MUSEPXO Europe. Detnon and his artist Dizzee Rascal have seen multi-Platinum success in the UK and strong worldwide sales, with Rascal’s latest album securing consecutive weeks at No.1 on the UK album sales charts. Detnon will join other Platinum-plus selling artist managers including Adam Tudhope (Keane), Bob Miller (Corinne Bailey Rae), James Sandom (Kaiser Chiefs), Jonathan Shalit (Jamelia) and Petri Lunden, Chairman, IMMF “Int’l Music Managers Forum” (The Cardigans).
MORE KEY EXECUTIVES CONFIRMED TO SPEAK AT MUSEXPO EUROPE
Kevin Wall
MUSEXPO Europe is pleased to announce the addition of Kevin Wall, Founder/CEO, Control Room and Live Earth at MUSEXPO Europe on Monday 27th October, 2008 at The Cumberland hotel.Wall founded Control Room in 2005 to create live entertainment accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Its most potent realization came on 07/07/07 with “Live Earth,” the 24-hour, seven-continent concert series which reached an estimated global audience of two billion. Now, as Founder and CEO of Live Earth, he leads the transformation from a one-time musical event into an ongoing advocacy organization, seeking to combat climate change by reaching global audiences through the power of music.
Wall’s long career developing and producing hundreds of live musical shows also includes executive producing “Live 8,” for which he won an Emmy Award, along with Bob Dylan’s “30th Anniversary Concert Celebration” at Madison Square Garden, Michael Jackson’s “The Dangerous Tour” live in Bucharest, “The Wall: Live in Berlin,” “Amnesty International: Human Rights Now” and “3 Tenors Live in Concert.” A co-founder of Shelter Capital Partners, a $175 million venture capital fund, Kevin is currently invested in a dozen companies in the semiconductor, software and convergence sectors.
Other executives also joining the MUSEXPO Europe speaker and moderator lineup are Brian Rose, Commercial Director, Universal Music UK & Ireland; one of the UK live industry’s leading booking agents, CAA’s Emma Banks; Supervision Management’s James Sandom (The Kaiser Chiefs, White Lies, Howling Bells, The Cribs, Crystal Castles); Xfm’s tastemaker DJ/broadcaster John Kennedy; Jack Horner, Managing Director, Frukt; Joe Taylor, Partner, Field Recordings/MD, Nuxx Publishing and Record of the Day’s Nicola Slade.
MORE KEY EXECUTIVES CONFIRMED TO SPEAK AT MUSEXPO EUROPE
Owen Thomas
MUSEXPO Europe is pleased to announce the addition of well-known global TV news presenter and new BBC World anchor Owen Thomas as the moderator of its opening keynote panel discussion at The Cumberland Hotel on Monday 27th October, 2008. The panel will feature some of the world’s top music industry executives including Ged Doherty, Chairman/CEO, SONY Music Ent’t, UK & Ireland, Harvey Goldsmith, Harvey Goldsmith Presents and Steve Schnur, Worldwide Head of Music & Marketing, EA Games. More will be unveiled next week in the A&R Worldwide newsletter.
Thomas has been a familiar face around the world as an anchor on CNN International. Equally at home covering breaking news events in the studio as anchoring live on-location, hosting conferences for blue-chip companies or chairing debates with business or political leaders, he returned to BBC World News on September 20, 2008. Thomas possesses a strong background in broadcasting: before joining CNN in 2007, he was a newscaster for ITN (anchoring the ITV News Channel and the ITV Morning News) and was well known in the UK capital for many years as a presenter of London Tonight. In the 1990s he helped wake up the nation as a newsreader on BBCRadio One’s Newsbeat and has also presented on BBC World and BBC News-24.
Other newly added speakers include Danish–born A&R guru Martin Dodd, Executive VP, Worldwide A&R, Sony Music Int’l & President 20-20 Music, who joins the highly–anticipated Global A&R Forum at MUSEXPO Europe. Dodd has been one of the most successful A&R executives in the world over the past 15 years - his resume includes working with global megastars such as Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, *NSYNC as well as signing and licensing acts like Ace of Base, Falco, Modern Talking, Sugarcubes, Shamen, The KLF, Technotronic, Faithless, Kosheen and Haddaway. He also setup and oversaw the Stockholm–based Cheiron Production Facility as a joint venture with Zomba and producers Denniz Pop/Max Martin, where they produced artists like Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Westlife, 5ive, Ace of Base and numerous others. His recent signings include multi-Platinum selling acts Bullet For My Valentine and Apocalyptica. Dodd has also been involved in the co–creation and production of numerous successful TV shows throughout Europe and the world.
Christian Tattersfield, Chairman/CEO, 14th Floor/Warner Music UK is also added to the MUSEXPO Europe 2008 line-up. Tattersfield began his career at England’s London Records, working in the marketing department before setting up the Internal and Systematic imprints, for which he scored 25 Top 10 singles, 10 No. 1 singles and seven Top 10 albums…all while in his early 20s. He then moved to BMG and co-founded the Northwest Side label, where he helped ink Jay–Z to a worldwide deal (outside of the US). Tattersfield subsequently moved to Warner’s EastWest label as Managing Director, where he signed and A&R’d David Gray’s White Ladder, which has subsequently sold over eight million copies worldwide. His next move was to launch his own joint venture, 14th Floor Records, with Warner Music UK (though he still A&R’s David Gray). Since then he has enjoyed success with artists including Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne (inked for the UK), Nerina Pallot and Scotland’s Biffy Clyro, as well as England’s The Wombats who have been enjoying strong international success. He has also diversified into publishing and the live business.
Martin Dodd
Christian Tattersfield
Sas Metcalfe
Stuart Galbraith
Joining the MUSEXPO Europe Global Publishing forum is Sas Metcalfe, Executive Vice President, Creative at Kobalt Music Publishing. Metcalfe’s role includes managing the company’s global creative affairs staff and artist/writer development, as well as pursuing new business. She is based at Kobalt’s London headquarters. Metcalfe joined Kobalt in 2001 from EMI, and was previously Head of A&R at Warner Chappell Music, where she signed acts including Radiohead, EMF, David Gray and The Charlatans. Amongst many recent Kobalt signings, Metcalfe also helped bring in the worldwide administration deal with songwriter Ryan Tedder. Tedder wrote Natasha Bedingfield and Sean Kingston’s “Love Like This” and Jennifer Lopez’s “Do It Well.” Other collaborations co-written by Tedder include songs for Timbaland, Hilary Duff, Ashley Tisdale, Chris Cornell, Paula DeAnda, Bubba Sparxxx, Shayne Ward and Fivestar.
Stuart Galbraith, Founder/CEO, Kilimanjaro Live has been confirmed to speak at MUSEXPO Europe next month. Galbraith - who was the former Managing Director of Live Nation UK where he created the Download, Wireless and London Hyde Park Calling festivals in Britain - launched Kilimanjaro Live as a joint venture with AEG earlier this year. The company’s first major shows were a run of dates with The Eagles at London’s O2 Arena back in March, and as well as promoting dates with the likes of Simply Red and KD Lang this summer it has acquired controlling interests in the Wakestock and Bloodstock festivals. Galbraith started in live music booking bands such as ZZ Top, U2, Simple Minds and The Clash while still a student. Joining promoter MCP in 1984, he worked with artists like Simply Red, Def Leppard, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Metallica, U2, Simple Minds and AC/DC and became Director and Partner before the company’s sale in 1999 to SFX. Following the subsequent resale of SFX to Clear Channel and the creation of Live Nation in 2005, as UK Managing Director Galbraith oversaw the promotion of arena and stadium tours with many of the world’s biggest bands. He was also one of the organisers of the Live8 Concert in Hyde Park in 2005, and the Live Earth Concert at Wembley Stadium in 2007.
Added to the MUSEXPO Europe management forum lineup is Corinne Bailey Rae’s exclusive personal manager Bob Miller, President Running Media. Miller has 30 years experience in the music industry, as musician, writer, producer, publisher and studio and label owner--and since 1996, artist management. In 2004 he fused Robert Miller Management with the Isle of Man-based film and music production company DAM Productions to form the Running Media Group, a unique facility for artist and project development, production, promotion and management. Bob is the exclusive personal manager of Corinne Bailey Rae, Davy Knowles/Back Door Slam, Christine Collister and Julia Harriman.
Other executives also joining the MUSEXPO Europe speaker and moderator lineup are Paul Williams, Editor, Music Week (the UK’s leading music industry publication); Martin Talbot, Managing Director, The Official UK Charts Company; Allan McGowan, News Editor, VIP News (one of the live industry’s leading publications) and Joel Harrison, Partner, Party Approved.
MORE INDUSTRY INFLUENCERS JOIN MUSEXPO EUROPE LINEUP
Harvey Goldsmith
Nick Gatfield
Jonathan Shalit
MUSEXPO Europe is honored to announce the addition of the legendary Harvey Goldsmith to its lineup in London, England. Over the course of forty-plus years in the music business Goldsmith has produced and promoted shows featuring many of the biggest artists in the world, including the Rolling Stones, TheWho, Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles and Sting, to name a few. He has also lent his time and expertise to an array of charitable causes: in 1985 he and Bob Geldof co-produced the “Live Aid” concerts, which raised more than £140 million ($280 million USD) for the starving in Africa. Twenty years later, Harvey was asked to produce “Live 8” worldwide. The event was the biggest collection of talent ever assembled, with over 225 artists performing at eight locations around the globe. Last year Goldsmith enjoyed a pair of triumphs: He served as Senior Producer for the eight “Live Earth” concerts raising awareness of global warming in July, while December saw him producing the Ahmet Ertegun tribute concert in London, featuring the first reunion of Led Zeppelin in over two decades. In 1996 Harvey was honored with a CBE in the Queen’s birthday Honors List in recognition of his work in the entertainments business.
Nick Gatfield, President A&R, EMI Music Labels North America and UK & Ireland also joins the MUSEXPO Europe lineup. Gatfield has operated at the highest levels of the music industry for over two decades. He first signed on with EMI in the mid-’80s, becoming Head of A&R within two years and inking such chart-toppers as Radiohead, EMF and Jesus Jones between 1987-’92. In 1993 he was lured to Los Angeles by Polygram, where he took over a revamped Polydor label as President. Between 1994 and 1997 Gatfield increased revenue by over 50% and took profits from $4 million in 1994 to over $15 million in 1997. Gatfield segued to the position of Managing Director of the Island Records Group (UK) in October 2001 where he saw artists such as Amy Winehouse, Keane, Sugababes and others attain multi-Platinum success. Gatfield came full circle in 2008, going back to where it all began for him as President A&R for EMI Music Labels North America and UK.
Jonathan Shalit, Founder/Managing Director, Shalit Global Entertainment & Management is added to MUSEXPO Europe’s Global Management forum. Shalit runs one of the UK’s leading entertainment and management companies, having brought home numerous No.1 records from a wide variety of acts. Shalit Global Entertainment and Management works across many disciplines and, in addition to the music business, has also achieved great success in television and musical theatre. He’s best known for having discovered Charlotte Church, who earned a pair of double-platinum CDs in the US under his management and major acts such as Jamelia signed to EMI. Shalit’s entrance into the entertainment industry followed a highly successful career in marketing at the world’s then most successful advertising agency, Saatchi and Saatchi, then running his own international marketing consultancy with clients such as Airbus, Benetton, British Aerospace, L’Oreal, Procter and Gamble and Volvo. Jonathan has also worked with Sir George Martin of Beatles fame, with whom he executive produced such acts as Carly Simon, Cher, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Jon Bon Jovi and Sting.
Adam Tudhope
Mark Jones
Participating at MUSEXPO Europe’s Global Managers Forum is Adam Tudhope, a well-known independent UK filmmaker and worldwide manager for multi-Platinum selling act Keane. Tudhope has worked with Keane since the early days of their career, and is a longtime friend, who worked with the band from the days of obscurity to global success. Tudhope has expanded his independent business from not only artist management and filmaking but into other arenas as well. And like other forward-thinking managers on the MUSEXPO Europe panel, will shed insight into capitalizing on new frontiers from an artist and management perspective.
Mark Jones, Founder/Managing Director, Wall of Sound joins the MUSEXPO Europe Global A&R Forum to offer an independent perspective to today’s label world. Jones started out as a DJ playing arenas such as Wembley stadium before embarking on a job working for independent distributor Soul Trader Record Distributors. Eventually, he launched his own Wall of Sound label (Propellerheads, Infadels, Reverend And The Makers) which has gone on to sell a few million records and CDs and recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary.
MUSEXPO EUROPE TO PRESENT Q&A WITH SEYMOUR STEIN & TOMMY RAMONE
Seymour Stein
Tommy Ramone
MUSEXPO Europe 2008 is proud to announce that it will host a special Q&A keynote featuring legendary music industry maverick Seymour Stein, Chairman Sire Records Group, alongside one of the pioneers of punk rock, Tommy Ramone (The Ramones). This special keynote will take place at MUSEXPO Europe on Wednesday, October 29.
Stein is regarded as having one of the best sets of ears in the music industry; he co–founded Sire Records in 1966. Stein quickly put Sire on the map with UK signings such as Fleetwood Mac, Climax Blues Band and Focus; however, it wasn’t until the Punk explosion of the ’70s that he truly hit his stride, signing such genre-defining acts as the Ramones, Talking Heads, Pretenders and Richard Helland theVoidoids…even being credited with coming up with the term “New Wave” to describe the music. In 1983, he was in a hospital bed recovering from open-heart surgery when he made the decision to sign a Michigan-bred singer/dancer and release her first single, “Everybody.” Enthused by what he heard, Seymour inked her to Sire for a full album--and the career of Madonna was launched.
Ramone is the last surviving original member of the famed 1970s band which set the template for the punk rock movement. He originally met Johnny Cummings, later Johnny Ramone, when they played together in a band called Tangerine Puppets while the duo was still in high school. After Tommy served a stint as a studio intern during the production of the classic Jimi Hendrix album Band of Gypsys, Johnny asked his former bandmate to serve as manager of his new outfit, The Ramones, which at the time featured Johnny on guitar, Dee Dee on bass and Joey on drums. Incidentally, The Cumberland Hotel, where MUSEXPO Europe is being hosted, is also the location where Jimi Hendrix was discovered after a drug overdose.
INTERNATIONAL TALENT SPOTLIGHT
MUSEXPO Europe has finalized its selection for showcase artists for this year’s event in London, England. A&R Worldwide thanks the many great artists who submitted for a showcasing opportunity this year via Sonicbids. Unfortunately, we could not accommodate all the great artists who applied; however, applications for MUSEXPO 2009 in Los Angeles will be opening soon. Also, many thanks to The Great Escape team for their assistance with the selection process of our London event.
Here’s an overview of some of the international talent that will be showcasing from October 27 – 29 at The Metro and Borderline clubs in the heart of London, England.
THE BIANCA STORY (Origin: Basel, Switzerland): Though but recently formed, The Bianca Story has already amassed a series of accomplishments that would be the envy of older musicians. The quintet, composed of varying international backgrounds, met in Switzerland, but has never forgotten that music is the language that transcends all tongues. While their musical influences are diverse and, quite frankly, somewhat antithetical, their mix of post-punk and new wave--with electro where there has to be electro--never fails to please discerning audiences. After completing their debut disc for Rodeostar Records, the band immediately toured Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Hungary, winning over fans in every venue, particularly with the danceable indie-pop gem “Player Piano.” The retro-influenced, rockin’ number gained extensive radio and video airplay, helping propel the band to performing in venues with a capacity of two thousand. “The Bianca Story is totally convincing with its individualistic style of music that can’t be categorized,” says Matts Wappman, MTV Head of Press. Bianca Story will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Tuesday, October 28th at 9:30PM at Borderline located at 16 Manette Street (just off Tottenham Court Road) in London, England.
thecocknbullkid (Origin: London, England): The artist known as thecocknbullkid--no spaces, apostrophes or capital letters allowed, thank you very much--is the stage name adopted by Anita Blay, who was born in London to Ghanaian parents. After spending a few years absorbing a diverse collection of musical influences, ranging from Morrissey and Madonna to M.I.A. and Little Richard, she began forging her own distinctive sound, one that resides on the dark edge of pop and boasts elements of sex, death, ugliness, wit and depravity. “I’ve always thought pop should never just be saccharine,” Blay notes. “It should be black and tortured, too. There’s no point otherwise.” The critics seem to be in agreement: the NME called thecocknbullkid “Probably the most interesting thing to come out of London since Klaxons,” and praised her songcraft as “Freudian kitchen-sink stories set to Timbaland-lite beats.” cocknbullkid will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Monday, October 27th at 10:30PM at Borderline located at 16 Manette Street (just off Tottenham Court Road) in London, England.
LAURA IZIBOR (Origin: Dublin, Ireland): Though only 20 years of age, talented chanteuse Laura Izibor is already making waves that extend far beyond her native Dublin. Only two years after taking up the piano at age 13, she entered Ireland’s prestigious 2FM Song Contest, where she stunned observers by walking away with the main prize. Winner of the 2006 Irish Meteor Awards “New Hope” category, Laura’s drawn ecstatic comparisons to luminaries like Candi Staton and early Aretha Franklin, along with such contemporary performers as Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill and John Legend. The acclaim has led to Laura being invited to share the stage with a variety of artists, including Angie Stone, Al Green, Jamie Cullum, the Roots and the late, great James Brown. Now signed to Atlantic Records, Laura will be releasing her debut album, Let the Truth Be Told, at some point in 2008. Laura Izibor will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Wednesday, October 29th at 9:30PM at Borderline located at 16 Manette Street (just off Tottenham Court Road) in London, England.
THE KING BLUES (Origin: London, England): One of the UK punk underground’s most beloved bands is The King Blues, a London-based sextet whose reggae-tinged songs of political protest have won a fervent following in their native land. Carrying on with the proud punk tradition of such similarly minded acts as the Clash and featuring two acoustic guitars, a ukulele and a Melodeon, The King Blues’ sound is a marvelous mixture of ska elements, street poetry, working-class protest folk, dub bass lines and doowop melodies, all delivered with a snarling punk attitude that’s attracted the attention of some influential tastemakers. BBC Radio 1’s Mike Davies stated that their initial full-length, Under the Fog, was his “favorite album of the year,” while fellow BBC Radio 1 jock Zane Lowe enthused, “A bit of summer ska for you, big with our chatroom, sounds great!” Now signed to Field Recordings, a joint venture with Faithless founder Rollo Armstrong and Island Records, The King Blues are looking to spread their message beyond the UK to the entire world. The King Blues will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Tuesday, October 28th at 11:00PM at The Blow Up Metro Club located at 19 – 23 Oxford Street located in London, England.
FLOOR THIRTEEN (Origin: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada):In recent years the music scene in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada has been producing some exciting new artists, but few with as much potential as Floor Thirteen. Consisting of singer Jeremy Koz, guitarist/vocalist Marc Jaworski, bassist/vocalist Aaron Vandall and drummer Billy Kiely, Floor Thirteen really started to take off after Koz joined the band in 2003. He has quite a set of pipes: he reached the Top 20 during the 2006 “Canadian Idol” competition and landed in the Top 30 (out of thousands of aspirants) on the “Rock Star: INXS” program later that year. The band’s hard-rockin’ sound has drawn comparisons to such luminaries as AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, along with newcomers like Wolfmother and Jet, helping them land a slot on Mazda’s online “Campus Joyride” game with their song “Night Train.” They also had their song “Bright Lights Rockin’ City” included in the soundtrack of the Sci-Fi Channel movie “Grizzly Rage.” Floor Thirteen has been touring extensively throughout their native Canada and just landed a key placement in EA Game’s Need For Speed. Floor Thirteen will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Tuesday, October 28th at 9:00PM at The Blow Up Metro Club located at 19 – 23 Oxford Street located in London, England.
For a full listing of MUSEXPO Europe showcase artists, log on to www.musexpo.net.
MUSEXPO EUROPE ADDS MORE TOP EXECS TO ITS LINEUP
Ged Doherty
Bruce Flohr
Rob Wells
Ged Doherty, Chairman & Chief Executive, Sony Music Entertainment UK & Ireland, has confirmed his participation at MUSEXPO Europe. Doherty joins the distinguished list of global music, media and technology industry leaders in London, England at MUSEXPO for a gathering of proactive minds moving our business forward in rapidly evolving times. Doherty, one of the most respected executives around the globe, has one of the most impressive track records of music industry executives worldwide. Doherty became President of BMG’s Music Division (UK) in 2001 and in January 2006 was promoted to Chairman and Chief Executive of SonyBMG Music Entertainment UK & Ireland (now just Sony after the August 2008 buyout of BMG). He has overseen the success of many Platinum-selling artists on his UK & Ireland label roster during his tenure, including Westlife, Foo Fighters, Pink, Natasha Bedingfield, Will Young, Kasabian, Dido and many others.
Bruce Flohr, Partner, ATO Records/Red Light Management and one of N. America’s leading music industry influencers will actively participate at MUSEXPO Europe as well as speak on the eagerly anticipated Global Managers Forum. Flohr has worn several different hats during the course of his music biz career including radio, promotion, management and A&R (he signed platinum-selling acts Foo Fighters, Dave MatthewsBand and Lit). Today Flohr plays a vital role in the management of Dave Matthews Band as well as O.A.R., Robert Randolph and The Family Band, Switchfoot and Third Day, in addition to more than 20 others. As a partner in ATO Records, he has signed to the label such talented artists as Jem and Gomez.
Also added to the MUSEXPO Europe lineup is Rob Wells, Sr. Vice President Digital, Universal Music Group International. Wells is responsible for the strategic development of Universal Music’s digital business in all areas outside North America. Based in London, Rob is charged with ensuring continuing growth as the company--and music industry as a whole--makes the transition from physical media while embracing new revenue streams. He and his team liaise with the group’s operating companies worldwide as they continue to expand their digital business while also managing relationships with such global partners as Apple, Microsoft, Vodaphone, Napster, MSN and Yahoo!
Ossy Hoppe
Ian C. Rogers
Rob Lewis
Leading German promoter Ossy Hoppe, Founder/Managing Director of Wizard Promotion, will join MUSEXPO Europe’s Live Entertainment Forum, which already features leaders from the live entertainment industry from across the globe. Hoppe is regarded as one of Deutschland’s leading concert promoters and has several decades of extensive experience in Europe’s second largest live music market. His current list of clients includes Nickelback, My Morning Jacket, Leonard Cohen, Flobots, Disturbed and Coldwar Kids, to name a few.
Ian C. Rogers of the highly touted artist platform Topspin will participate at MUSEXPO Europe’s Music in Digital, Mobile & Technology forum. Topspin Media builds infrastructure for acts and has recently helped artists such as Nine Inch Nails and David Byrne connect very successfully with fans on both a commercial and creative level. Rogers was recently named one of the industry’s Top 5 power players by Bob Lefsetz, Author, The Lefsetz Letter (putting Rogers ahead of even Apple’s Steve Jobs). Rogers is a diehard music fan who is also a computer programmer and was most recently General Manager of Yahoo! Music prior to joining Topspin.
Also added to MUSEXPO’s lineup is Rob Lewis, CEO/Co-Founder, Omniphone, Europe’s leading direct-to-mobile unlimited music download service provider. Lewis was responsible for the rollout of MusicStation, the award-winning “all-you-can-eat” mobile music service, and MusicStation Max, the world’s first pre-licensed unlimited music downloads phone. MusicStation was launched in 2007 and won Best Mobile Music Service at the Global Mobile Awards and Best Mobile Internet Service at the Mobile Industry Awards in 2008. In recognition of his achievements, Lewis was deemed PwC UK Technology, Innovation & Growth Awards 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year. He previously founded Business & Technology Magazine and along with Omnifone co-founders Phil Sant and Mark Knight founded the successful Internet software developer Cromwell Media (sold to InterX for £850m in March 2000).
MORE TOP EXECUTIVES JOIN MUSEXPO EUROPE LINEUP
The inaugural MUSEXPO Europe will take place at this year’s selected city of London, England from October 27th – 29th at The Cumberland Hotel, which will host the daily networking events (which includes complimentary food and fine beverages for registered delegates for all three days of MUSEXPO Europe) as well as interactive panel seminars in the heart of London, with evening artist showcases taking place at the Borderline and The Metro near London’s famous Oxford Street. The conference has announced the addition of more key int’l executives to its lineup. A MUSEXPO Europe registration badge is mandatory to gain access to the conference and networking areas of the hotel as well as artist showcases and international networking lounge, etc.
Like the annual MUSEXPO in Los Angeles, the focus of the London event will be to encourage those individuals and companies who want to do business within the UK, European and global markets and learn about the various sectors of today and tomorrow’s music, media and technology industries. MUSEXPO Europe networking events will also provide an opportunity for delegates to interact face to face with the many key influencers who will be attending the event over the course of the three days in London.
George Ergatoudis
Sarah Stennett
Iain Watt
Richard Kingsmill
One of the world’s most influential radio music programmers George Ergatoudis, Head of Music at BBC Radio 1 has confirmed his participation at MUSEXPO Europe and will take part in the event’s highly anticipated “State of the UK” forum. Ergatoudis has 17 years of experience in the radio industry, an in-depth knowledge and passion for contemporary music across genres, excellent music industry reputation and a gift for spotting new music talent. Ergatoudis has worked with BBC Radio 1 in multiple successful capacities over the past two decades and joined Radio 1 as Producer on Jo Whiley’s lunchtime show and Simon Mayo’s morning show. Three years later Ergatoudis was brought in to help develop a new digital radio station from an embryonic stage. The project developed into 1Xtra from the BBC, the first national radio station aimed at fans of black music launched in August 2002 with Ergatoudis as Music Manager of the network. At 1Xtra he was in charge of the station’s music policy and responsible for championing and giving the ‘first play’ to major US artists such as 50 Cent, Pharrell and The Game alongside key UK talent such as Dizzee Rascal, Ms Dynamite, Kano and Lethal Bizzle. Since joining as Head of Music, Radio 1 has seen further growth in its listening figures, achieving its highest share of the UK audience for almost a decade as measured by RAJAR.
Just added to MUSEXPO Europe’s list of participants is Sarah Stennett, Founding Partner, Stennet and Spragon Solicitors, who will actively participate at MUSEXPO Europe. Since 1996, the London-based firm has developed a sterling reputation as one of the most innovative and effective legal partnerships in London, working exclusively in the realms of music, film and television. Stennett’s clients include Keane, Sugababes, Prodigy, The Streets, Guy Sigsworth (Frou Frou), The White Lies and Ting Tings to name a few.
Iain Watt, Founder, Machine Management joins the MUSEXPO Europe Global Managers forum. Watt, who started his management company back in 2002 representing DJ/producer Tom Middleton, has expanded over the past 12 years, adding such artists as Mika, Alphabeat, Lightspeed Champion and Magistrates to the Machine roster, which now has a staff of three. The company also runs the Wonky Pop club, which they are developing as both an online and music brand. In addition, Machine occasionally undertakes specialty media and marketing consultancy work for various clients, including Grolsch, Umbro, Rough Trade and Universal, among others.
Richard Kingsmill, Music Director, Triple J Radio (Australia) – the Aussie equivalent to BBC Radio 1 in the UK joins the MUSEXPO Europe international broadcast media forum. Kingsmill joined public radio in the mid-’80s working for 2SER-FM in Sydney and then later at 2NUR-FM in Newcastle and scored a full-time position at Triple J in 1988. Kingsmill resurrected the Australian Music Show and hosted that weekly show for 12 years. He initiated and developed The J Files over eight years and 350 shows. He’s interviewed over a 1,000 musicians, ranging from a 14-year-old Daniel Johns (Silverchair) in 1994 through to veterans like David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young and Lou Reed. Kingsmill was also a founder of the “Unearthed” concept at Triple J. That avenue for unsigned Australian musicians has grown steadily since its inception in 1995. Today it’s an award-winning interactive website that hosts more than 10,000 songs from local artists.
Dave Goldberg
Doug Mark
Oum Pradutt
Dave Goldberg, Executive, Benchmark Capital has been added to MUSEXPO Europe’s executive speaker lineup. Goldberg is an accomplished entrepreneur, an influential music industry executive and a driving force in the online music industry. He co-founded LAUNCH Media Inc. in 1994, which was dedicated to delivering music and music-related content online, and he led the company through its acquisition by Yahoo! in 2001.
Upon joining Yahoo!, Dave served as vice president and general manager of Yahoo! Music, where he led the company’s global music operations and built it into the Internet’s number one music destination During his tenure, traffic increased from two million to 25 million unique users per month, and 4 billion music videos were streamed in 2006 alone. In addition, LAUNCHcast Radio became the number one Internet radio service, and Dave was named one of Billboard Magazine’s top power players in digital music.
Doug Mark, Founder, Mark Music & Media Law, P.C. One of America’s leading music business attorneys will also participate at MUSEXPO Europe. Mark started in the business in 1986 and embarked on a career of representing artists, indie labels, songwriters, film composers, writers and actors. In 1992, Doug signed on with Giant Records as Head of Business Affairs (working with legendary manager Irving Azoff); during his time there he continued to work with clients such as Danny Elfman, Smashing Pumpkins and Epitaph Records. In 2000 Doug signed on with highly respected US legal firm Barnes, Morris, Klein, Mark, Yorn, Barnes & Levine, where he served a client base ranging from successful recording artists and Oscar-winning film composers to multi-Platinum producers and label presidents. Last year he founded Mark Music & Media Law, P.C. With offices in Los Angeles and New York, Doug currently serves a client roster including Mötley Crüe, Ron Fair, The Game, Danny Elfman and Epitaph among others.
Oum Pradutt, Managing Director, Phase 1 Events& Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., India joins MUSEXPO Europe’s esteemed Global Live Entertainment forum. For the past decade Pradutt’s company has been offering entertainment solutions to a corporate clientele that includes such Fortune 500 companies as Nike, Accenture, AOL, IBM, Microsoft, Mercedes Benz, 3M, Volvo, MTV and Benetton, among others. Based in Bangalore, India, Phase 1 has executed events across the UK, India, South Africa, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Oum also produces the New Year’s themed party “Hollywood,” which now attracts over 15,000 people while providing a platform for international artists to showcase their talent. The promising results have spurred a new initiative supported by the United Kingdom Trade and Investment and The British Council; the goal is to bring emerging musicians from the UK to perform in India on a regular basis alongside native Indian artists--culminating with one of the largest annual music festivals in India.
The inaugural MUSEXPO Europe will take place at this year’s selected city of London, England from October 27th – 29th at The Cumberland Hotel, which will host the daily networking events and interactive panel seminars in the heart of London, with evening artist showcases taking place at the Borderline and The Metro near London’s famous Oxford Street. We are pleased to announce the addition of more key int’l executives to its lineup.
Like the annual MUSEXPO in Los Angeles, the focus of the London event will be to encourage those individuals and companies who want to do business within the UK, European and global markets and learn about the various fragments of today and tomorrow’s music, media and technology industries. MUSEXPO Europe’s networking events will also provide an opportunity for delegates to interact face to face with the many key influencers who will be attending the event over the course of the three days in London.
John Lenac
David Glick
Peter Nicholson
Just added to MUSEXPO Europe’s list of participants is John Lenac, Head of Programming & Artist/Label Relations, Yahoo! Inc. Lenac not only manages programming for all of Yahoo! Music’s audio and video content, including 150 LAUNCHcast radio stations and 50 video stations utilizing the largest database of music videos online, but he’s also in charge of artist/label relationships on behalf of Yahoo! Music’s original programs such as Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music and Pepsi Smash.
Also joining the speaker lineup is influential UK attorney David Glick, Founder, Edge Group. Glick is known as one of the UK entertainment industry’s consummate dealmakers. A founding partner of Eatons Solicitors and formerly Head of Entertainment at Mishcon de Reya, David represents some of the biggest artists and executives in the entertainment industry. In 2004 he founded Edge Group, a specialist investment and advisory business operating in the music, film, television, sport, theater and fashion industries.
Peter Nicholson, Partner, Chief Creative Officer, Deutsch New York also joins MUSEXPO Europe’s impressive list of participants. Nicholson is a Partner and Chief Creative Officer for Deutsch New York, a position he has held since March 2007. A respected advertising executive who’s created innovative, effective and attention-grabbing campaigns for brands such as JetBlue, Heineken, Adidas and BMW, Peter has taken on a strong leadership role at Deutsch, inspiring bold, integrated ideas that have helped to build an even stronger foundation of leadership within the agency.
Martin Morales
Marianne Goode
Ted Cohen
Petri Lunden
Martin Morales, Executive Director, Disney Music Group, EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) also joins the impressive MUSEXPO Europe lineup. Morales plays an integral role in the music initiatives of some of Disney’s biggest global brands for multiple territories and is a welcome addition to MUSEXPO Europe’s lineup. Morales was a former content executive for Apple’s iTunes and was based in London.
Marianne Goode, Vice President Music, Lifetime Television/Lifetime Entertainment Services also joins the stellar “Music In Visual Media & Global Consumer Brands” forum at MUSEXPO Europe. Goode works closely on music-related initiatives for one of the most popular TV franchises in N. America, which has huge influence in the lucrative female demographic.
Also added to the lineup of speakers is Ted Cohen, Managing Partner, TAG Strategic.
As Managing Partner for TAG Strategic, Cohen utilizes his digital authority in music, phones, IPTV and product and service development for a variety of clients. Previously the 30-year music vet oversaw worldwide digital business development for EMI Music. Cohen was recently re-elected Chairman of the Mobile Entertainment Forum Americas board.
Petri Lunden, Chairman, International Music Managers Forum (IMMF), joins the MUSEXPO Europe Global Managers Forum. Lunden is Chairman of the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF), an organization which represents featured artist managers (and through them, the featured artists, performers and writers themselves). The IMMF is comprised of 15 Music Manager Forums (MMFs) around the world, including Australasia, UK, Europe, Africa and N. America.
Also added to the MUSEXPO Europe list of executive participants are Mike Walsh, Head of Music, Xfm Radio Network (UK); Panos Panay, Founder/CEO, Sonicbids and Dave Ulmer, Sr. Director, Multimedia Projects, Motorola. To read more information on these and all other speakers, click HERE.
MUSEXPO Europe will have limited attendance to provide intimate networking and opportunities to interact with some of the world’s top influencers from the music, media, technology and entertainment sectors. Music, media and technology industry professionals wishing to participate at MUSEXPO Europe can secure their registration by clicking HERE.
Steve Schnur
Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music & Marketing, EA Games and President, Artwerk Music Publishing, who was heralded by Entertainment Weekly as one of the most influential executives in Hollywood, will actively participate at MUSEXPO Europe 2008. Schnur is a 16-year music industry veteran with experience at Capitol Records, Elektra, Arista and MTV. In less than a decade at three major labels he was involved with marketing, promoting and producing albums that sold over 60 million units. In his role at EA Steve works closely with EA production and publishing teams (he helped create Artwerk, a joint venture with Nettwerk) and the international record industry to supervise and select in-game music for EA Games. The Washington Post has called him, “The Clive Davis of the videogame industry” and he has brought established stars, breakthrough new artists and award-winning composers to such top-selling EA franchises as Madden NFL, FIFA, Need For Speed, Harry Potter, Medal of Honor, The SIMS and more, changing the industry’s perception of video games from simple “licensing opportunities” to their now-essential role in artists’ careers. Schnur is also a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Grammy Foundation.
Jeremy Lascelles
Jeremy Lascelles, CEO Chrysalis Music, also joins the MUSEXPO Europe lineup. Lascelles started his career in the music industry in the early ’70s as a band/tour manager before joining Virgin Records in 1979 as an A&R Manager. He spent 13 years there in various A&R, Marketing and MD roles before joining Chrysalis as MD of Chrysalis Music in 1994. He has overseen the growth and expansion of the publishing company, which has now become the leading UK independent music publisher. Appointed as Managing Director of the Echo Label in 1998, he was then promoted to Chief Executive of the Music Division in 2001. He was appointed to the Board of the Company on September 1, 2006. In 2003 he was elected to the council of the BPI and also to the board of AIM, where he was made Vice-Chairman in 2004. Jeremy was appointed Group Chief Executive on September 25, 2007.
Steve Porter
MUSEXPO Europe is also proud to welcome Steve Porter, Chief Executive, MCPS-PRS Alliance to its lineup. Porter is Chief Executive of the MCPS-PRS Alliance, one of Europe’s leading royalty collecting societies. The Alliance licenses music rights and pays royalties to 60,000 composers, songwriters and music publishers in the UK and many thousands more around the world. Porter joined the Alliance in 1998 as Finance Director after previous experience in senior management positions in the record industry and with Price Waterhouse in London; in the decade since, he’s amassed extensive knowledge of the worldwide business of music rights management, particularly in relation to online business models. He is also Chairman of CELAS, the Central European Licensing and Administration Service, operated by the MCPS-PRS Alliance and GEMA (Germany) to license EMI Music Publishing’s catalogue for online and mobile usage.
Michael Chugg
Also joining the impressive MUSEXPO Europe list of participants will be Michael Chugg, President/Founder, Chugg Entertainment. Chugg is considered a pioneer of the Australian music industry, boasting 40 years of experience in not only promoting international artists in the Australia and New Zealand markets, but also tirelessly touting Australian music to the rest of the world. He founded Michael Chugg Entertainment in 2000 and since then has promoted tours for more than 150 international artists, making the company one of the most prominent promoters in the world. Among the diverse roster of acts who have toured with Chugg over the years are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, the Who, R.E.M., Radiohead, John Mayer, Duran Duran and Robbie Williams. Chugg enjoyed what was perhaps his finest year in 2007. He was involved with the Australian leg of the worldwide global-warming awareness benefit Live Earth and, in August, hosted a series of shows by the legendary Bob Dylan. The year closed out with Elton John’s “Rocket Man” tour, showcasing the knight and his piano for delirious audiences across Australia.
Shabs Jobanputra
In addition, MUSEXPO Europe welcomes Shabs Jobanputra to its impressive early list of executive participants. He is Managing Director and among the founders of one of the UK’s leading independent labels, Relentless Records, which he helped start in 1999. Under Jobanputra’s leadership the label has seen the release of debut albums from Platinum-selling artists Joss Stone (The Soul Sessions) and KT Tunstall (Eye to the Telescope), which have collectively sold over 3.5 million albums in the UK alone. Relentless has also been home to numerous other highly successful UK and international acts, including Daniel Bedingfield and So Solid Crew, to name two.
KEY INFLUENCERS JOIN MUSEXPO EUROPE LINEUP
The inaugural MUSEXPO Europe will take place at this year’s selected city of London, England from October 27th – 29th at The Cumberland Hotel in the heart of London, with evening artist showcases taking place at The Borderline and Metro near London’s famous Oxford Street. MUSEXPO is renowned for its top-tier executive talent participation, informative, inspirational and solutions-oriented panel discussions, intimate networking events and quality nighttime showcases.
MUSEXPO is an event where forward-thinking minds attend and participate for the purpose of developing key new international relationships, discover some of the best US and international unearthed talent and embrace new creative and business opportunities in the global market place.
Alex Patsavas
Alicen Catron Schneider
Gene Sandbloom
Nic Harcourt
Already confirmed for MUSEXPO Europe and making her debut UK appearance is one of the world’s most influential film/TV music supervisors. Alex Patsavas, Founder, Chop Shop Music (who music supervises “Grey’s Anatomy,” “24,” “Rescue Me,” Ugly Betty,” “The O.C.” and others); highly-respected and influential NBC Universal Television Vice President Music Services Alicen Catron Schneider; US radio tastemaker and Music Director KCRW Los AngelesNic Harcourt, who is renowned for helping break European acts such as Coldplay, Keane, Dido, Imogen Heap, Jem, Sigur Ros, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jose Gonzales and many others on his groundbreaking “Morning Becomes Eclectic” radio show.
Max Lousada
Nick Raphael
Jeff Smith
Also participating will be Gene Sandbloom, Operations Manager of the world-famous KROQ Los Angeles (MUSEXPO Europe will be the first time that a senior level programmer from KROQ will participate at a European-based music, media and technology focused conference). KROQ is regarded as the station to break more European-based acts on US Commercial Radio than any other in N. America throughout its 30-year history.
Brian Nielsen
Jessica Koravos
Clive Dickens
Mike Tunnicliffe
Ajax Scott
Andrew Phillips
Also joining the impressive MUSEXPO Europe list of participants will be Max Lousada, President, Atlantic Records (UK); Nick Raphael, Managing Director, Epic Records (UK); Jeff Smith, Head of Music, BBC Radio 2 (making his first music industry conference appearance in his new position); Brian Nielsen, CEO, Skandinavian Booking & Management Agency; Jessica Koravos, Managing Director, AEG Live (UK); Clive Dickens, Chief Operating Officer, TIML Radio; Mike Tunnicliffe, Founder/President, Tuna Music; Emmanuel Legrand, Editor, Impact Publishing Magazine; Ajax Scott, former Publisher, Music Week and Andrew Phillips, Media Consultant, Channel 4 (UK) – with many more top executives to be announced in the coming weeks.
MUSEXPO Conference partnerships offer a unique opportunity to reach global creative and business decision-makers face to face. Our conference showcases CEO perspectives, world-class management strategies and cutting-edge practices in a spontaneous and engaging format.
Our delegates are the executive decision-makers and influencers sponsors want to reach; they attend because they are actively seeking new information and new solutions to their business issues. Conference partners have the opportunity to not only position their companies as thought leaders in areas of vital relevance to our global audience, but also to showcase their executives' expertise while building the relationships that can drive their business forward.
The benefits of being a conference partner are limitless as you not only work with us in creating a memorable event, but also in growing with the conference each year while building solid and priceless relationships worldwide. Past conference partners include: Indie 103.1FM Los Angeles, MIDEM, Popkomm, UKTI, PLAYiNDIES, Music Export Norway, Export Music Sweden, Manitoba Film & Sound, rehearsals.com, Napster, Sonicbids, International Music Feed, Scoop Marketing, Swinghouse, City of West Hollywood, Queensland Government Trade and Investment Office, NZ On-Air, Music Export Finland, Summit Transportation, Paige Poulos, The Music Business Registry, Ticketsavers, NARIP, BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, BPI, AIM, A2IM and many others.
For more information on conference partnerships, please contact Sat Bisla at +1 (323) 782-0770 ext.106, or sat@anrworldwide.com
THE BIANCA STORY (Origin: Basel, Switzerland): Though but recently formed, The Bianca Story has already amassed a series of accomplishments that would be the envy of older musicians. The quintet, composed of varying international backgrounds, met in Switzerland, but has never forgotten that music is the language that transcends all tongues. While their musical influences are diverse and, quite frankly, somewhat antithetical, their mix of post-punk and new wave--with electro where there has to be electro--never fails to please discerning audiences. After completing their debut disc for Rodeostar Records, the band immediately toured Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Hungary, winning over fans in every venue, particularly with the danceable indie-pop gem “Player Piano.” The retro-influenced, rockin’ number gained extensive radio and video airplay, helping propel the band to performing in venues with a capacity of two thousand. “The Bianca Story is totally convincing with its individualistic style of music that can’t be categorized,” says Matts Wappman, MTV Head of Press. Bianca Story will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Tuesday, October 28th at 9:30PM at Borderline located at 16 Manette Street (just off Tottenham Court Road) in London, England.
thecocknbullkid (Origin: London, England): The artist known as thecocknbullkid--no spaces, apostrophes or capital letters allowed, thank you very much--is the stage name adopted by Anita Blay, who was born in London to Ghanaian parents. After spending a few years absorbing a diverse collection of musical influences, ranging from Morrissey and Madonna to M.I.A. and Little Richard, she began forging her own distinctive sound, one that resides on the dark edge of pop and boasts elements of sex, death, ugliness, wit and depravity. “I’ve always thought pop should never just be saccharine,” Blay notes. “It should be black and tortured, too. There’s no point otherwise.” The critics seem to be in agreement: the NME called thecocknbullkid “Probably the most interesting thing to come out of London since Klaxons,” and praised her songcraft as “Freudian kitchen-sink stories set to Timbaland-lite beats.” cocknbullkid will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Monday, October 27th at 10:30PM at Borderline located at 16 Manette Street (just off Tottenham Court Road) in London, England.
LAURA IZIBOR (Origin: Dublin, Ireland): Though only 20 years of age, talented chanteuse Laura Izibor is already making waves that extend far beyond her native Dublin. Only two years after taking up the piano at age 13, she entered Ireland’s prestigious 2FM Song Contest, where she stunned observers by walking away with the main prize. Winner of the 2006 Irish Meteor Awards “New Hope” category, Laura’s drawn ecstatic comparisons to luminaries like Candi Staton and early Aretha Franklin, along with such contemporary performers as Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill and John Legend. The acclaim has led to Laura being invited to share the stage with a variety of artists, including Angie Stone, Al Green, Jamie Cullum, the Roots and the late, great James Brown. Now signed to Atlantic Records, Laura will be releasing her debut album, Let the Truth Be Told, at some point in 2008. Laura Izibor will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Wednesday, October 29th at 9:30PM at Borderline located at 16 Manette Street (just off Tottenham Court Road) in London, England.
THE KING BLUES (Origin: London, England): One of the UK punk underground’s most beloved bands is The King Blues, a London-based sextet whose reggae-tinged songs of political protest have won a fervent following in their native land. Carrying on with the proud punk tradition of such similarly minded acts as the Clash and featuring two acoustic guitars, a ukulele and a Melodeon, The King Blues’ sound is a marvelous mixture of ska elements, street poetry, working-class protest folk, dub bass lines and doowop melodies, all delivered with a snarling punk attitude that’s attracted the attention of some influential tastemakers. BBC Radio 1’s Mike Davies stated that their initial full-length, Under the Fog, was his “favorite album of the year,” while fellow BBC Radio 1 jock Zane Lowe enthused, “A bit of summer ska for you, big with our chatroom, sounds great!” Now signed to Field Recordings, a joint venture with Faithless founder Rollo Armstrong and Island Records, The King Blues are looking to spread their message beyond the UK to the entire world. The King Blues will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Tuesday, October 28th at 11:00PM at The Blow Up Metro Club located at 19 – 23 Oxford Street located in London, England.
FLOOR THIRTEEN (Origin: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada):In recent years the music scene in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada has been producing some exciting new artists, but few with as much potential as Floor Thirteen. Consisting of singer Jeremy Koz, guitarist/vocalist Marc Jaworski, bassist/vocalist Aaron Vandall and drummer Billy Kiely, Floor Thirteen really started to take off after Koz joined the band in 2003. He has quite a set of pipes: he reached the Top 20 during the 2006 “Canadian Idol” competition and landed in the Top 30 (out of thousands of aspirants) on the “Rock Star: INXS” program later that year. The band’s hard-rockin’ sound has drawn comparisons to such luminaries as AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, along with newcomers like Wolfmother and Jet, helping them land a slot on Mazda’s online “Campus Joyride” game with their song “Night Train.” They also had their song “Bright Lights Rockin’ City” included in the soundtrack of the Sci-Fi Channel movie “Grizzly Rage.” Floor Thirteen has been touring extensively throughout their native Canada and just landed a key placement in EA Game’s Need For Speed. Floor Thirteen will perform at MUSEXPO Europe on Tuesday, October 28th at 9:00PM at The Blow Up Metro Club located at 19 – 23 Oxford Street located in London, England.
