Sunday, May 01, 2005
MAY 1-4: MUSEXPO Music & Media Forum
MUSEXPO: FIRST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND MEDIA FORUM SET FOR MAY 1-4 IN L.A.; TAKING SHAPE AS UNITED NATIONS OF GLOBAL MUSIC INDUSTRY
LARRY KING TO HOST KEYNOTE PANEL
A&R WORLDWIDE -- the influential global artist discovery/development firm based in Beverly Hills whose staff played a pivotal role in the early discovery, development and/or exposure of such artists as Dido, Missy Higgins, Keane and others outside of traditional channels -- has organized the first annual MUSEXPO international music and media forum May 1-4 in Los Angeles. The hotly tipped four-day event is taking shape as a United Nations of the music world for like-minded individuals who have a passion for and a critical stake in the discovery of new artists as well as developing platforms to create new international business opportunities.
MUSEXPO is drawing significant players from throughout the global industry, including Craig Kallman (COO/Co-Chairman Atlantic Records Group), David Massey (Executive VP A&R, Sony Music Label Group U.S.), Brian Becker (Chairman/CEO, Clear Channel Entertainment), Donald K. Donald (Chairman, DKDE Group, Canada), Dave Holmes (DC Music, Coldplay manager), Kenny MacPherson (President Chrysalis Music Group USA), Jeff Pollack (Chairman/CEO Pollack Media Group), Zane Lowe (Presenter BBC Radio 1/MTV Europe), Nic Harcourt (Head of Music, KCRW Los Angeles), Peter Asher (Sanctuary Artist Management), Alex Jones-Donnelly (Head of Music, BBC Radio 1, UK) and Peter Katsis (Sr. VP Music, The Firm). (*An expanded list of influential attendees follows below.)
Headquartered at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel in West Hollywood, MUSEXPO is within walking distance to legendary Sunset Strip venues (Viper Room, The Roxy, Key Club), where showcases will be presented each night. The in-progress line up promises an eclectic mix of new talent at the Sunday through Wednesday event, which is dedicated to propelling music forward. The showcases will highlight 24 recently signed and unsigned bands from around the world, including the U.S., England, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Sweden--all poised for global impact.
The four-day event will feature a special "keynote panel" hosted by CNN's Larry King, round-table networking sessions plus nightly showcases by up-and-coming artists. "We are honored that CNN's Larry King has agreed to support MUSEXPO," says A&R WORLDWIDE's Managing Director Jim McKeon. "He will host and interview a small distinguished group of international industry leaders. Instead of the normal one person, one keynote approach, we will kick off MUSEXPO on the morning of Monday, May 2 with this unique keynote panel of top internationally known music and media industry leaders." King--who has interviewed everyone from rock stars to royalty to captains of industry--will introduce and conduct this panel in much the same manner and format as his renowned "Larry King Live" program.
Encompassing a select number of high-level music and media professionals, MUSEXPO will address international music and media industry creative issues, while identifying artist development solutions and opportunities in the constantly evolving global music marketplace. United by a desire to build new relationships, discover artists and realize new business opportunities, the event will be attended by label presidents, A&R and publishing executives, managers, agents and programmers from some of the world's most influential radio stations, film/TV and interactive music supervisors, media bookers and promoters as well as artists and artist managers. Registration is being strictly controlled to maintain A&R WORLDWIDE's high standards, enhance the interpersonal experience and enable maximum productivity.
Some of the key industry topics will include: International Touring & the Growth of Festivals, Global Radio Programmers Summit, Traditional and Digital Music Distribution Issues, The Community of Indie Labels, Worldwide A&R/Talent Discovery View, Artists & their Representation, Music Supervision & Licensing--Film/TV/Videogames/Advertising, Music Publishing and World Territories Music.
The fiercely independent A&R WORLDWIDE is creating waves throughout the international music and media community with its fresh approach to finding and nurturing talent ripe for the global marketplace. The firm, launched January '04 by partners Sat Bisla, Jim McKeon and Steve Smith, produces two newsletters per week that are subscribed to by nearly 8,000 professionals around the world, to share information about breaking and soon to break artists from all territories globally. A&R WORLDWIDE also produces their own syndicated radio program, "Passport Approved," to deliver a united international front to showcase the best new emerging and breakthrough artists from around the globe. The two-hour weekly show--hosted by Bisla and Mike Savage--provides a crème de la crème cross-section of imports, B-sides and rarities to music enthusiasts and listeners.
The concept for MUSEXPO is based on a series of successful dinners (which began four years ago) in New York, Berlin, London and Los Angeles with creatively minded professionals. According to A&R WORLDWIDE co-founder Sat Bisla, "These exclusive dinners were organized with the purpose of bringing together friends from the radio, A&R, publishing and artist management communities to engage in creative dialogue and establish fresh business relationships." He explains: "The mission of these networking dinners and MUSEXPO is to encourage forward-thinking executives from the international music and media communities to connect with other similar creative professionals. All with the purpose to discover new music and develop un-conventional ways of doing business in a rapidly changing market."
Based in The Wyndham Bel Age Hotel, MUSEXPO represents an opportunity for Los Angeles to host a major music industry event. McKeon says "Our goal is to create a new 'red-letter date' on the global music business calendar...an annual event that would ultimately bring thousands of music and media creative talents and executives from around the world to Los Angeles each spring."
One expected attendee, Alex Jones-Donnelly (Head of Music & Live Music, BBC Radio 1 U.K.) said, "I'm coming to MUSEXPO because it represents a major presence for up-and-coming repertoire that will impact the global market. MUSEXPO has its pulse on breaking music and international radio trends and movements. A&R Worldwide has established itself as a credible organization that brings together the best creative minds in the world in the right type of networking environment."
For more details and registration information, visit: www.musexpo.net .
