Conference

Welcome to the 41st Annual Canadian Music Week! We are thrilled to have you join us for this exceptional three-day conference, where we will explore the vast and diverse landscape of the music industry. Join CMW President, Neill Dixon, The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and Ontario Creates' Director for the Ontario Music Office, Marina Adam, in welcoming delegates to the 2023 edition of CMW.

 

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(Interviewer: Joey Scoleri) Few music agents have the gleam of Marty Diamond, career architect for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Janelle Monáe, Lorde, Liam Gallagher and Sigur Ros. A celebrity shepherd of sorts, Diamond has 30 years of industry experience, from his first boutique agency to corporate organizations like Arista and Polygram, applying psychology, strategy and intuition to star careers. In this Fireside Chat with Joey Scoleri, Diamond will look back at his career, and share insights on how to ignite, nurture and maintain the flame of creativity and stardom for today’s artists.

Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada, will share remarks on artificial intelligence, the Online Streaming Act and other once-in-a-generation regulatory shifts facing Canada’s music industry. He will share his thoughts on how leaders from across the music sector can work together to protect human creativity and foster growth in our sector.

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(Moderator: Miranda Mulholland) Join Music Canada, AI experts and music industry leaders to discuss recent advancements in AI, the value that AI presents as a tool to unlock creativity in the industry, and also the risks that AI poses if the creators behind our favourite music can no longer control how their art is used. Panelists will dig into the potential of the technology and how music and the broader creative industries are coming together to protect human artistry.

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(Moderator: Ger Hatton) The music publishing business is not always understood. It's the global business of songs and of the people behind this business — songwriters, lyricists, composers, producers, and music publishers. Independent music publishers are a force for cultural diversity in music and are the powerhouse of the industry. They partner with each other as sub-publishers to ensure that the work created travels around the world. The ultimate goal of the music publisher is to foster and promote both the song and the songwriter. They are the facilitators to access music. 



 

(Moderator: Annesta Duodu) While fraud is a major issue facing the music industry, stream manipulation - its definition, causes and consequences - is not yet widely-understood. This panel will dig into the issue, explaining what it is, how we got here, common misconceptions about streaming fraud, impacts on the industry, and what can be done in the face of this challenge.

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(Interview By: Stefanie Purifiacti) Canadian Music Week will present a keynote interview with Debra Rathwell, the Executive Vice President of Global Touring and Talent at AEG Presents, which will cover her outstanding career including her work with megastars Carrie Underwood, John Mellencamp, and her role in the highest grossing tour of all time: the Elton John Farewell Tour. A native of Canada, Debra Rathwell is one of the most respected and admired professionals in the music industry, as well as being one of the highest-ranking female executives working on the live side of the business today. She was inducted into the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame in 2020 and named Executive of the Week by Billboard in February 2023.

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(Interviewer: Kyla O'Donovan, Moderator: Everton Lewis, Jr.) Thomas Golubić is a four-time Emmy-nominated music supervisor, DJ, and twice Grammy-nominated record producer. He has an impressive resume with credits that include the AMC series Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Halt and Catch Fire and The Walking Dead, the Netflix series Grace and Frankie, Space Force and Love, the Amazon series Sneaky Pete, the Showtime series Your Honor and Ray Donovan, and the HBO series Six Feet Under among many other film & television projects.

Thomas' contributions to the music industry extend far beyond his music supervision work. He has been twice nominated for Grammy awards for producing volumes 1 and 2 of the Six Feet Under soundtrack album and is responsible for producing four soundtrack albums for The Walking Dead, the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul soundtracks, and various remix projects for EMI-Capitol Records and MGM. He has also become known as an innovative club DJ spinning broadly eclectic music sets, often with live synchronized visuals, and his SYNCHRONIZE re-score project has been featured at various festivals.

Thomas made history by being a part of the nominations for the first Outstanding Music Supervisor Emmy Award for his work on Better Call Saul in 2017 and within that same year, he became the president of the Guild of Music Supervisors. He received subsequent nominations again in 2019, 2020, and 2022, and the Guild twice awarded Thomas with Best Music Supervision in a Television Drama for his work on Breaking Bad. Learn more about Thomas Golubić and his team at SuperMusicVision at: http://supermusicvision.com.

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(Presenter: Jaime Marconette) Join Luminate's Sr. Director, Music Insights and Industry Relations, Jaime Marconette, for a data-driven deep-dive on the current state of music streaming in Canada. Using Luminate's authoritative consumption data, which fuels the Canadian Billboard Charts, Marconette will talk through issues and trends dominating the streaming landscape today, including the growing number of original music being uploaded to platforms daily, how Catalog music streams continue to expand, and where and how local Canadian artists are listened to internationally in this global market.

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(Hosted By: Maestro Fresh Wes) Part 1 of New Four-Part docuseries by PBS & BBC Music. With Rap Icon Chuck D Explores Four Decades of Hip Hop History Featuring Interviews with Legendary Artists Ice-T, Fat Joe, Run DMC and MC Lyte and More

Developed by Chuck D and his producing partner, Lorrie Boula, the series tells the story of hip hop as an organic expression of experience that was unapologetic, fierce and empowering as it spoke truth to power and informed a nation through a different lens.

 

(Interviewer: Karen Bliss) Karen Bliss will interview Mary Megan Peer, the CEO of peermusic. peermusic is the largest privately-owned music publishing company in the world, operating in 38 offices from 31 countries with over a million titles owned or administered and over 200 employees across the globe. Mary Megan has established herself as a leader in the global music industry through her Wall Street background and impressive acquisitions for peermusic. peermusic recent signings include 6x GRAMMY® award-winning apl.de.ap and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, Jonathan Yip and Jeremy Reeves of the production group The Stereotypes and songwriter Poo Bear. peermusic also acquired the music publishing catalogue of Canadian Hall of Fame inductee, Corey Hart, as well as signed a worldwide administration deal encompassing the entire catalog of 2023 Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee, Loreena McKennitt.  Mary Megan's leadership has set the standard for international publishing administration, and other global music publishers have joined peermusic for sub-publishing. She has also led the expansion of peermusic's presence in other countries such as Korea and China and became the first Western independent publishing company to directly sign Chinese writers.

(Moderator: Vanessa Thomas) As a creative, you don’t want to leave money on the table. The landscape of revenue streams is vast and continues to increase. As a result, many artists unintentionally don’t collect on all the royalty streams generated by their work. This panel will explore how to ensure that collections are in place for each stream and best practices in collecting the income your music has created. This panel will also look at the options for leveraging those revenue streams for future projects. Questions that the Panel will answer:

1. What are the different royalty streams?

2. What do I need to do to ensure that I am collecting the money generated from my catalog?

3. How can I use my current work as leverage for the future of my career?

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Join the in-depth conversation with Chuck D, B-Real and Lorrie Boula discussing the importance of the 50th anniversary of hip hop, how it shaped the minds of generations and the contributions they've made within the history of hip hop.

(Interview By: Jamar "JNiice" McNeil) Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer and President of National Programming, iHeartMedia will be at Canadian Music Week for an exclusive one-on-one interview! Considered one of the most influential programmers in America, Tom is also highly respected in the music industry, well-known for introducing innovative programming and music initiatives across multiple platforms including broadcast radio, digital and live events. Poleman co-produces iHeartMedia’s major national events including the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the iHeartCountry Festival, iHeartRadio ALTer Ego, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, and iHeartPodcast Awards.

(Moderator: Vivian Barclay) Canadian songwriters have made their way into high level writing rooms around the world in cities like London, Stockholm, Nashville and Los Angeles. Why is co-writing so important? And what are best practices for bringing your A game to a co-writing session? Topics covered include: how to hone your collaborative skills, song camp preparedness, writer / producer share splits and more.

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(Moderator: Kim Temple) Music supervisors get bombarded with pitches, demos and marketing blasts 24/7. How do they cut through the noise when conducting a song search for sync placements? How can we help them help us? Come find out at Music Publishers Canada’s Meet the Music Supervisors where we’ll have a discussion with four distinguished international music supervision panelists who have placed songs in film, TV and advertising. This panel will touch on topics such as licensing pitfalls, creative pitching, projects the supervisors are working on and more!

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Date: Thursday, June 8, 2023

The Guild of Music Supervisors, Canada (GMSC) and Canadian Music Week (CMW) have once again partnered to present the 2023 Canadian Sync Awards!

Your admission includes one (1) drink ticket, as well as a selection of snacks.
5:45 pm-6:45 pm – Come meet everyone before the Awards begin! Reception held in ROOM PIERS 2/3.
6:45 pm-8:30 pm – Show time! AWARDS HELD IN HARBOUR BALLROOM B/C
19+ only.

Special Performances by: Preston Pablo, Adria Kain and Milk & Bone.

BUY TICKETS HERE.

Join the music supervision + sync community to celebrate excellence on June 8th! Featuring musical performances by some of Canada’s most exciting emerging talent, the Canadian Sync Awards brings together music supervisors, sync reps from record labels and music publishers, sync agents, managers, artists, songwriters and filmed media industry creatives to shine a light on the ever-expanding + significant role of the power of music across all forms of filmed media.

The craft of music supervision has grown into a significant creative position in productions around the world, and Canada is no exception. The Canadian Sync Awards is an intimate night of celebration and great fun.

The Canadian Sync Award categories are:
BEST SYNC - SOUNDTRACK, DRAMA TV SERIES
BEST SYNC - SOUNDTRACK, COMEDY TV SERIES
BEST SYNC - SOUNDTRACK, FEATURE or DOCUMENTARY FILM
BEST SYNC - SCENE, EPISODIC SERIES (Comedy or Drama)
BEST SYNC - SCENE, FEATURE or DOCUMENTARY FILM
BEST SYNC - SPORTS PROGRAM / SPORTS PROMO
BEST SYNC - COMMERCIAL / ADVERTISEMENT
BEST SYNC - SOUNDTRACK, TV MOVIE
BEST SYNC TEAM - SYNC AGENCY
BEST SYNC TEAM - INDIE RECORD LABEL
BEST SYNC TEAM - INDIE MUSIC PUBLISHER
BEST SYNC TEAM - MAJOR RECORD LABEL
BEST SYNC TEAM - MAJOR MUSIC PUBLISHER
SYNC ARTIST OR SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
THE HUEY

 

For information and updates:
https://www.guildofmusicsupervisors.ca/

For any questions:
CanadianSyncAwards@gmail.com

SOCIALS: Twitter: CdMusicSupGuild | Insta:   guildofmusicsupervisorscanada

(Moderator: Harrison Chu) Booking agents pave the road for touring artists and can provide an essential service as a member of an artist’s team. Learn how a booking agent can work with you to move your career to the next level. This session will de-mystify what an agent does and what they need to be able to help you.  Find out how to get the attention, how to build and sustain interest from booking agents. Need agents for your artists? Gain a greater understanding of how booking agencies work. Capacity is limited. Register early, the earlier the better.

(Moderator: David Hazan) Live is back…but is it enough? In this session, key execs from major live music entities in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada give us a global view of revenue recovery, the relative eagerness of audiences to return to venues post-Covid, cost of production, grassroots pressures, fostering the talent pipeline, greening live music and other problematic issues and challenges that remain.

(Moderator: Erin Benjamin) Transport a concert promoter from the turn-of-the-century to the present, and they might have trouble wrapping their heads around today's experiential concert scene. The show itself is the engine that pays for nearly everything now, from artist discovery to recording to touring. Yes, today's ticket prices and ticket fees reflect that. But so do such operational streamliners as smart-phone entry and ticketholder verification, expanded opportunities for merch (more a piece of the revenue pie than ever), a variety of tiered fan experiences and myriad other ways to elevate a show into an event. We've got the venue managers and bookers who operate in the new live world, and they'll tell you how it works.

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(Moderator: Kiran Rai) In countries worldwide, national artists with Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Afghani and Sri Lankan backgrounds are breaking big - whether it’s Canada’s AP Dhillon (who recently played his first Junos and has 10 milion monthly listeners on Spotify), the artists at the U.K. Dialled In festival, Oscar-winning British rapper Riz Ahmed, or Dutch-Pakistani rapper Imran Khan. Like most pop music “blow ups,” this one has been a long time coming, with a diaspora of 50 million SouthAsians worldwide (2.5 million in Canada), and the groundbreaking previous popularity of genres like bhangra and Sufi rock. This panel will look at the SouthAsian boom, where it’s going, and what could obstacles it could face as it acquires a mass, worldwide audience.

(Interviewer: Joey Scoleri) A pioneer of the Australian music industry, Michael Chugg or Chuggi as he is affectionately known, has garnered a reputation both locally and internationally as one of the country’s most prominent music promoters, and is a name synonymous with some of biggest tours to have come through Australia and New Zealand over the past 50 years.

(Moderator: Steve Lobel) From Yonkers to the world, this legendary interview will delve into the creative process, collaborations, and what it takes to maintain a lasting career in hip-hop. The conversation will also touch upon their influences, the impact of their music on the culture, and their thoughts on the current state of the industry. The Lox and Steve Lobel will share candid stories, insights, and perspectives on their careers, their legacy, and their plans for the future, offering an intimate and inspiring look into the world of hip-hop.

(Moderator: Patrick Guay) A world that is mysterious to those outside of the gated circle, we will look at what really goes on in the trenches. When booking shows and tours. The relationship of agent and promoter is a necessity but also can be tumultuous. With over 80 years of combined experience in these fields on one panel the veil will be lifted once and for all.

 

(Moderator: Jim Digby) Industry experts discuss what needs to be done to ensure a safe and enjoyable major live event - what are the keys to success with the importance of putting live event safety first? How do we best coordinate with local city and government agencies, including police and fire departments, to make sure the safety message is not lost? What are the keys to crowd size management guidelines, mitigation and safety strategies? How do we create a holistic plan involving safety managers, artists, managers, promoters, and local agencies to ensure all event safety protocols are met to create a safe environment? What are some new and upcoming technologies and strategies currently being used to enhance a safe live event environment thus ensuring the best experience for fans, staff and artists?

 

(Interviewer: Larry LeBlanc) Andreea Gleeson is the Chief Executive Officer of TuneCore, and a leading innovator in the music industry. Drawing on her years of experience as an eCommerce pioneer in the retail industry, she joined TuneCore in 2015 as a member of the senior leadership team and rose to CEO in 2021. Gleeson has helped build TuneCore into one of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the independent music space. Her passionate support of independent artists has driven the implementation of leading-edge product and technology solutions, artist education programs, Best-in-Class artist support and more, establishing TuneCore as the premier development partner for self-releasing artists.  Andreea is also a fierce advocate for gender equality in the music industry, commissioning the annual study BE THE CHANGE: Gender Equality in the Music Industry to identify why independent female and gender expansive creators remain underrepresented in the music industry, raise awareness on their challenges and provide actionable insights into how to combat them.    Since 2021, Andreea has been included in multiple Billboard Power Lists and in 2022, she was named International Woman of the Year at Music Week’s Women In Music event. Under her guidance as CEO, TuneCore was recently named the third most innovative company in the music industry by Fast Company and was included on Crain’s list of the Best Places to Work in New York.

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(Moderator: Sean Ross) The song salesmen engage the gatekeep-ears in this popular and instructive CMW event that allows musicians to see what happens to their music inside glass-walled offices. Top PDs/MDs listen to new tracks supplied by promotion execs and respond candidly. Will they consider it for their playlists? Why or why not?

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(Moderator: Phil Bouffard) A panel discussion around how the landscape of commercial brands sponsoring artists, venues and concerts has changed dramatically over the last 3 years, and what we can expect for the next 3+ years. Panelists include a major brand, major venue and surprise artist guest, moderated by Phil Bouffard, Managing Director of the Strategic Partnerships Division for Paquin Entertainment Group and The Loft Entertainment.

(Moderator: Ryan Kruger) This panel explores how new technologies are enhancing fan engagement in electronic music, across marketing, production, and promotion. Industry experts will discuss the latest innovations in virtual & augmented reality, Web3, and other emerging technologies for fan engagement, showcasing how they create unique and unforgettable experiences for fans. Attendees will gain valuable insights on how to leverage these technologies to create meaningful connections with fans, drive growth in the industry, and stay ahead of the competition.

Live Music Producer, Tom Jackson is a master at creating musical moments out of your songs.  He has worked with Taylor Swift, Magic, Shawn Mendes and The Band Perry and many other A listers. In this session, watch Tom work with The 2023 Jim Beam National Talent Search winner to pull out their uniqueness and create moments. Learn concepts to apply to your own music and live show.  A crash course in going from good to great onstage, this session is invaluable for any artist serious about their music career.

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(Moderator: Mark Monahan) Programming a music festival is not as easy as it looks. Buyers spend all year scouting talent, from the headliners to the barely legible names at the bottom, every slot is scrutinized to ensure the best lineup possible, and to stay on budget. In this session you will meet some of Canada’s top festival buyers/programmers who’ll give you a behind the curtain peek at the obstacles of putting these large scale events together and how they sweat the big and small stuff to ensure success.

(Moderator: Joey Scoleri) The image of the travelling Canadian used to involve a maple leaf sewn on a back-back. These days, that iconic leafy image may fly high above the concert stage, from Stockholm to Istanbul and beyond. In this session, top Canadian promoters who have created the live global tour events business talk about their starts, growth, and seismic impact on the global concert business. As the world shrinks, Canada’s impact in the area of artist-breaking gets bigger. What is it about the True North’s culture that causes it to prioritize music – especially live music – as a major export?

(Moderator: Rianna Ford) Rolling out the blueprint for what's possible, Steve Lobel from LMG (Lobel Music Group/Def Jam/Universal) and Michelle Linares from Civilian Cannabis explore all the possibilities in music & entertainment from live events to merchandising and building brands in the licensed & craft Cannabis landscape.

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CANADIAN LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY AWARDS RETURN TO CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK JUNE 2023

Canadian Music Week (CMW), in partnership with the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA), are hosting the Canadian Live Music Industry Awards on June 9 from 5:30-7:30pm ET at the Toronto Westin Hotel as part of Canadian Music Week. Created by Canadian Music Week in partnership with the Canadian Live Music Association, the trade association for the live music sector, the Live Music Industry Awards are a highlight of CMW.

This awards show will mark the 7th year honouring the live music industry, bringing together the Canadians behind live music for a night of celebration and recognition.

Awards will celebrate the ingenuity, perseverance, and excellence demonstrated by live music companies, individuals, and organizations over the past year. Our 22 categories include Best Teamwork in a Venue, Productions Manager of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Legends of Live, and Community Impact. This year will also see the unveiling of our new award: Your Future Boss, honouring an outstanding young leader representing the bright future of the live music industry. See the full list here.

JOIN US AT THE 2023 CLMIAs

Tickets are available here and at the CMW website for $50CAD. *CLMA members in good standing enjoy a 35% discount on awards show tickets AND Canadian Music Week registration. Access your discount code by emailing moliver@canadianlivemusic.ca

(Interviewer: Josh Rabinowitz) Ole Obermann is the Global Head of Music, TikTok.  He will discuss TikTok's influential role in global artist discovery and the valuable promotions and various tools available to help break artists around the world.  What music oriented services are available to artists and creators and how can these help drive international growth for all involved in the music industry.

(Moderator: Karen Bliss) Music, art, and activism have always gone hand in hand but weaving activism and social good into your tour, releases, all-around artist development strategy and company ethos - takes a lot more care and precision. These 3 speakers have steered major social good and activism campaigns as musicians, managers, and nonprofit leaders. Don’t miss this critical discussion filled with actionable insights, ways to get involved, and key learnings.

(Moderator: Julz Ossom) Can Afrobeats be authentically created locally throughout the diaspora regions? This panel of Afrobeats industry veterans and brand specialists will highlight the influence of social media in the growth of Afrobeats style; the art of Live Performance and its importance in the development of the movement. The conversation will conclude with a brain analysis on solutions to the challenges faced by the Afrobeats movement in achieving greater exposure, recognition and success.

(Moderator: Andrea Williams) Think “online ticketing” and the image is of a huge corporation selling premium-priced tickets to mammoth stadium tours. But smaller, independent venues in the U.S. alone generate more than $10 billion in annual revenue. From bars to halls, they are the lifeblood of the live music industry, and they operate with smaller margins and bigger risks. Now there are low-cost ticketing platforms built by and for venue operators, designed to optimize revenue and make scheduling less of a headache. Other platforms that solve specific problems like finding affordable accommodation near the event venue or festival grounds. This session is devoted to digitizing the operations of indie venues, and how much of a difference that can make.

(Moderator: Brian Huston)

SoundsUnite is a new product that will revolutionize Music Education, Creation, Collaboration, and Distribution in the global marketplace.

By targeting mobile, desktop and web, SoundsUnite will provide an end to end cloud solution for all musicians: from youth who are beginning to engage in music education through to professionals.

Brought to you by:

                   

(Moderator: Amira Guetif) Join our expert panel as we explore the exciting opportunities and challenges of breaking into the African music market. Our discussion will focus on the essential elements of success, including understanding the complexities of rights, distribution, and collaboration across borders. With our experienced panelists, you'll learn how to navigate the African music market, build meaningful relationships, and maximize your impact on this vibrant and rapidly expanding industry. Whether you're an artist, manager, or industry professional, you won't want to miss this valuable discussion on breaking into the African music market.

(Interviewer: Dalton Higgins)  will interview Darrale Jones  about his incredible journey through Hitsville. In this engaging keynote interview Darrale Jones, Senior Vice President of Urban A&R at Atlantic Records, will delve into the dynamic world of Urban A&R and its pivotal role in shaping the future of the music industry. With a wealth of experience in identifying and nurturing groundbreaking talent, Jones will share his insights on how to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of urban music, discover emerging trends, and cultivate authentic voices that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Drawing from his extensive career and successful collaborations with renowned artists, Jones will discuss the key factors influencing the current urban music scene and explore the symbiotic relationship between artists, labels, and listeners. He will shed light on the evolving tastes and preferences of music consumers, as well as the innovative strategies employed by Atlantic Records to stay ahead of the curve.

Through compelling anecdotes and real-world examples, Jones will provide invaluable guidance to aspiring artists, producers, and industry professionals, highlighting the essential elements of a successful urban A&R strategy. From scouting talent to building artist development plans, he will address the importance of fostering creativity, staying adaptable, and embracing diversity to create groundbreaking music that resonates across cultures and generations.

Join Darrale Jones as he shares his passion for urban music, celebrates the power of artistic expression, and offers a visionary perspective on the future of urban A&R. This keynote speech promises to inspire and empower individuals within the music industry, encouraging them to embrace change, forge new paths, and play an integral role in shaping the soundscape of tomorrow.

(Moderator: Joe D'Ambrosio) A unique opportunity to listen and learn from the pros.  Stories from Grammy and Juno-winning producers with an extensive array of credits across all genres.  Join moderator Joe D’Ambrosio, one of the most successful producer and mixer managers in our industry, during this unique interactive, power-packed, insightful session.

(Moderator: Andrea Guernsey) New tech tools are changing the marketing game. Marketers who cut above the noise know they must throw out the old playbook and rebuild from scratch. AI is unlocking new ways artists can analyze UGC to power their marketing campaigns and releases. All of these panelists are at the forefront of leveraging short form video platforms to take artists to new heights and launch viral sensations. We’ll get into the data behind how they do that and strategy.

(Moderator: Ankita Mathew) We’ve all heard streaming stories where millions of ears equal hundreds of dollars. Hyperbole or not, it is true that artists are unlikely to pay their bills with one revenue source. Successful performers seek multiple monetary streams to carry on. This session will examine multiple options for artists, managers and rights-holders to add to their income. Among them: Music publishing, merchandise, sync deals, live performances and brand partnerships.

ALLAN SLAIGHT HUMANATRIAN AWARD 2023 Recipient is Digging Roots

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(Moderated by: Nicole Auger) The Indigenous music community is thriving artistically yet there is still immense room for growth and development in the Indigenous music industry with regards to supports, infrastructure, and mainstream cultural competencies. Systemic barriers, racism, and colonial structures continue to prevent the Indigenous music community's narrative sovereignty and full participation in the Canadian economy and culture.

This panel will discuss the critical importance of Indigenous stories and the developing administrative talent in the Indigenous-owned music industry in order to uplift, empower, and amplify Indigenous voices and nurture the future generations of artists and arts entrepreneurs.

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(Moderator: Andrea England) Financial literacy is a key skill either to be mastered by the artist or taken care of by hired professionals. This panel will provide you with an introduction to the areas of finance that will support you through all stages of your career and beyond. We intend to make seemingly difficult concepts accessible, so you can focus on the things you are passionate about.

Topics covered in this panel: Sources of income: touring, product sales, different types of royalties.

Budgets: Key for a) personal life, b) tours, c) recording projects d) saving and investing. Results in cash flow smarts.

Business of copyright: exploitation, proper registration / licensing of songs, world of "publishing"
Investments: The Basics (GICs, ETFs and stocks)
Financial Planning: What can a plan tell you and when should you start?
Common Mistakes for New Investors: FOMO and a discussion of risk
Managing remittances for taxes: payroll or income tax instalments
Retirement planning: rrsps. tfsa. emergency savings.
Building your team to ensure financial health in all dealings: (bookkeeper, lawyer, accountant, business manager, career manager, agent etc.)

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(Presenter: Justin Paquin) Over a two-year period, Paquin Entertainment Group’s Exhibitions & Theatrical Division sold over 5,000,000 tickets to Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. Learn about their journey, what it took, and the importance of diversification in the music industry.

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/paquin-entertainment

Company website: https://www.paquinentertainment.com/ 

 

(Moderator: Karen Bliss) From creating new music in your bedroom to releasing tracks and then amplifying and marketing them to your audience - new innovative tools are changing the process from beginning to end. This means artists, managers, and labels need to be more technologically savvy and approach the process with a fresh mindset. On this panel we’ll explore progress in AI music creation and production, efficiencies in connecting platforms together, and how to launch and monetize tracks through distribution and streaming channels that truly engage your fanbase. Our speakers from Beatport, Splice, and Audius will reflect on how the process has changed and what this new horizon means for creators.

(Moderator: David De Cristofaro) What was once a simple equation – label signs band and hires distributors to deliver the product to stores – is now exponentially more complicated. Independent artists may sidestep labels entirely, leaving them with the decision of whether to sign directly with distributors and / or do their own marketing. With a primarily digital delivery system, music can be sent to mobile devices, cars or home systems. So, can distributors survive as mere deliverers of content? This session will examine marketing and other variable points of differentiation between distributors and explore issues such as what makes a distributor more suitable for what kind of artist?

(Moderator: Anna Ruddick) As independent artists, musicians, and music workers, our "financial wellbeing" can sometimes feel nonexistent, as we are often inundated with financial narratives and experiences rooted in scarcity and struggle. During this panel conversation, we will unpack the systemic issues and subconscious beliefs that negatively impact our relationship to money as creatives. Our conversation is intended to be an exploration of money and finance through a holistic and heart-centred lens, providing our audience with the tools and resources they need to build a healthier and more sustainable financial foundation. Join The Unison Fund in Collaboration with the Conscious Economics podcast for the progressive conversation featuring financial therapist Aseel El-Baba, and visionary music makers Dominique Grant and Lucas Silveira.

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(Interviewer: Master T) Master T will interview Kardinal Offishall about his incredible journey and accomplishments along his career.
(KARDINAL OFFISHALL) Global A&R, Def Jam Records

In this captivating keynote interview, Kardinal Offishall, Global A&R at Def Jam Records, will take the audience on a journey through the transformative potential of cultural diversity in shaping the modern
music industry. With his unparalleled expertise and experience in scouting and developing global talent, Offishall will shed light on the immense power of embracing diverse voices, sounds, and perspectives.

After years of earning global respect as one of Canada’s most energetic and innovative emcees, Kardinal Offishall has been a staple in the global music scene. He has collaborated on hit records such as “
Beautiful” with Akon, “Just Dance” with Lady Gaga, Numba 1 with Rihanna and made history with his monster classic “Dangerous” which scorched to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, making him the first rapper from Canada to do so in history.

Offishall will passionately explore the profound importance of acknowledging and embracing the extraordinary musical expressions emerging from various corners of the globe. He will illuminate the pivotal
role that Global A&R plays in bridging cultural divides, nurturing cross-cultural collaborations, and amplifying the voices that have been historically underrepresented within the music industry.

Offishall's keynote speech will serve as an inspirational call to action for aspiring artists, music producers, and industry professionals to recognize the untapped potential within diverse communities.
He will emphasize the need for inclusivity, respect, and open-mindedness in curating music that reflects the rich tapestry of global cultures.

(Moderator: Bob Lefsetz) Not a believer in quick fixes, Bob Lefsetz knows the runaway fees and rampant brokers that infuriate concertgoers is a complex problem requiring thought-out solutions. In this session, the industry guru shares his insight into how ticketing evolved from an essential service to a symbol of commercial overreach. Is the industry unfairly maligned? And where’s the reset button on the ticket machine?

Canadian Music Week is proud to announce Kardinal Offishall will receive the Social Justice Award at the CMW Music Summit on June 10, 2023 at the Westin Harbour Castle. Iconic Canadian media personality Master T will host a keynote interview with Kardinal Offishall, followed by the presentation of this second annual award

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(Moderator: Steve Masur) Recent crisis conditions gave tech researchers the push they needed to make sci-fi real. Web3 – the decentralized Internet – and the metaverse, a new frontier of online immersive experience, came to life as the urge to connect became urgent. Fortnite users got to see an Ariana Grande concert where she rose from underground and playfully “hit” fans with a hammer. Lil Nas X had his own concert experience on Roblox, with a motion-captured avatar. But advances are coming to make the metaverse more than a plaything for superstars. All artists and industry professionals will soon have a stake in the future, and the ability to give any live event metaverse access. This panel will focus on some of the tech fused music based immersive activations that are gaining real and lasting music fan traction. Panelists  include Ristband CEO Anne McKinnon, and Water & Music Product Manager Brodie Conley.

(Moderator: David Hazan) New artists need seed money to launch. And for generations, that meant getting the blessing of a major label, with all the corporate control that came with it. In a digital economy, there is competition and choice, and plenty of opportunity for artists, rightsholders and managers to find a fair deal. There are companies that will advance against future royalties with no copyright claim. There are “song exchanges” that let fans invest in the next big song. Even advanced web platforms that help artists and rightsholders find “missing” royalties. This panel will look at the new revenue scene and discuss how the playing field has been leveled.

 

(Interviewer: DJ Charlie B) Legendary hip-hop producer, DJ, promoter, label executive – that takes up too way much space on a business card. DJ Drama, born Tyree Simmons, is best known simply as “King of the Mixtape.”

Born in Philadelphia at the dawn of hip-hop, DJ Drama, got ATL branded in his brain during a Southern family trip, with Outkast blasting from the car speakers. An aspiring DJ since his mid-teens, he enrolled at Clark Atlanta University, met his longtime partner Don Cannon, and became a local legend, playing school parties and clubs, and selling copious amounts of mixtapes to a fast-growing fandom.

It was the D.I.Y. birth of his iconic Gangsta Grillz series, since favoured by the likes of Jeezy and Lil Wayne.

In this highly-anticipated Keynote Interview with Canadian collaborator and admirer DJ Charlie B, DJ Drama talks about his years riding the wave of new sounds and artists, and the evolution of nightlife and the music industry through the first quarter of this century.

He’ll tell stories about some prize talent discoveries, like Lil Uzi Vert and Jack Harlow, and where and how he found them.

We’re going to “go there” and get him to spill his top-three collaborators (from a ridiculously fame-filled list that includes Lil Wayne, T.I., Meek Mill, Wiz Khalifa, Ludacris, Chris Brown, Fabolous, Roscoe Dash, Post Malone, Young Thug and many more).

We’ll go deep to talk about the divide between being DJ Drama and being Tyree, which is the real artist and person? And what would he say to the ambitious young DJ Drama, knowing what he knows now?

And we’ll examine the chemistry between him, Don Cannon and Lake who’ve stuck together on GenerationNOW as friends and creators in an unforgiving, pressurized industry that takes its toll on relationships.

All this, and we’ll dare him to deny his Toronto love, given his history of rocking the city throughout the past decade. We may not be Atlanta, but he’ll have something to say about “The 6.”

(Moderator: Janisha Jones) This session will examine tech based platforms that automate labor intensive processes while increasing income and saving money for artists and rights holders. There are platforms and apps that can compose a song to order by tempo, genre and cultural influence. They can repurpose music into instrumentals, samples, remixes, etc. Montreal’s Landr has expanded from automated mastering to virtual studios, a samples archive and distribution services. Other revolutionary tech tools that empower creators will be highlighted that help artists to create and share more efficiently, free up imaginations and tap new revenue streams.

(Moderated By: Kim Fry) This panel considers the advances that have been made, the targets that have been announced and the strategies that are necessary to realize a zero carbon live music sector.

Music Declares Emergency Canada (MDE Canada) is an independent group, created by artists, music industry professionals and organisations concerned at the lack of a cohesive, industry-wide response to the climate emergency. We believe in the power of music to promote the cultural change needed to create a better future.

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(Moderator: Kevin Barton) Feel Out Loud, a collective of 50+ Canadian artists banded together to record the anthem What I Wouldn’t Do (North Star Calling) in support of Kids Help Phone, Canada’s only 24/7, e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to young people. The anthem coincided with Kids Help Phone’s launch of a $300 million movement, the largest movement for youth mental health in Canada’s history.

The star-studded anthem amplifies mental health conversation and empowers young people to feel out loud. The Music Industry Unites to Drive Meaningful Impact in Mental Health panel will bring together experts in the fields of mental health and music to discuss the correlation between music and mental health and how that can help unify and connect with people of all ages going through difficult times. Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to: The relationship between music and mental health, How music and the arts are helping lift the stigma on mental health issues including over 50+ Canadian artists coming together to record an anthem for Kids Help Phone’s Feel Out Loud movement and historic fundraising campaign, finding and gaining access to resources, and tools to aid in mental health/self-care.

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(Moderator: Rudy Blair) The metrics that measure fandom have been pretty general - sales, crowd size, merch, snatches of conversation on social media, etc. But forward thinkers have come to realize that deep-dive fan data can be monetized for the benefit of artists. Fan-engagement platforms like Chartmetric, Openstage and MySeat have connected fans on a daily basis, on tours, during shows. And the direct-to-fans approach has expanded the knowledge of what fans like, how they live, how their tastes evolve, and – most importantly – what they’re willing to spend money on.

(Moderator: Mark Frieser) Among artist revenue stream options, Sync licensing has become one of the fastest growing and most lucrative. Movies, TV series, commercials, video games… all potentially offer compensation, exposure and a foot-in-the-door for future “passive income” opportunities. Agencies have stepped in to “match-make” artists and sync licensing clients. And tech-based platforms have sprung up that can facilitate artists’ access to music supervisors who can introduce their music to whole new audiences. In this session, we’ll evaluate the options and talk about what’s at stake, revenue-wise.

(Moderated by David Hazan) What happens when the love of music that drives executives to join the music industry in the first place gets corrupted by bad-behaving artists, toxic corporate culture and/or all-round burnout? 

A must-attend for anyone in the music industry who wants to stay connected to their artistic passion and find fulfillment in their work.

The speakers - Dan Mackta Managing Director North America Qobuz, Alisha Outridge Chief Product and Technology Officer TuneCore, Richard Gottehrer Chief Creative Officer and Founder, The Orchard, and Roman Rappek Co-CEO,Ristband - will share their personal stories and experiences, highlighting moments that solidified their love of music and helped them stay connected to the art form that drove them to the business in the first place.

The audience will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A with the panelists and gain valuable insights on how to maintain their love for music while pursuing a career in the industry.

(Moderator: Josh Robinowitz) A LIVE INTERACTIVE panel whereby speakers – label reps, publishers, music rights owners in general are given an ad with no music, and a story board brief. *In real time, each speaker submits their music to an on-site engineer *The engineer syncs the tracks to the visual spot completing the ad during which Josh Rabinowitz dissects the process of sync. *The music submissions are shared with the audience & Rabinowitz for feedback.