2011 Conference Speakers and Panalists
Wendy Day – Rap Coalition
Wendy Day is an American entrepreneur, writer, and founder of Rap Coalition, the not-for-profit entity created to protect artists from exploitation in the music industry. The advocacy group arms rappers with the tools needed to succeed in the music industry, by way of free conferences and panels.
Day has been instrumental in the development of several well known rap music stars and labels, including Do Or Die, Twista, Cash Money Records, C-Murder, David Banner, BloodRaw, and Eminem. She allowed Eminem to compete in the Rap Coalition’s Rap Olympics, which turned out to be his big break because he caught the attention of Dr. Dre.
Day also owns a music consulting business called PowerMoves, which helps structure and organize independent rap record labels. Wendy works side by side with the indie labels once the CDs are complete, and helps them structure their company, market and promote the CD, secure distribution, and every step in-between. She does this for a flat fee, without taking a percentage on the back end, and without taking any ownership of the label. She has built many of the most successful indie labels in urban music. Due to this stellar track record of success, she is extremely selective in choosing whom she will work with, turning away more clients than she accepts.
In the past, Day has managed the careers of Twista, David Banner, C-Murder, Slick Rick, Ras Kass, and Fiend. She no longer manages rappers.
Day holds an undergraduate degree in Graphic Design, an MBA in Marketing (McGill University), and a Master’s Degree in African American Studies (Temple University). She currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Martin Atkins (back by #POPular demand)
Martin Atkins is the definition of entrepreneurial activity in cultural arts endeavors. His three decades in the music business spans across genres, borders and industries. Having experience in nearly every aspect of record production and promotion has given Martin a unique perspective not only on where the music industry is currently, but where it is going in the future.
Martin has played with Johnny Rotten’s Public Image Ltd, Killing Joke (where he was also manager), Ministry, Pigface (which he formed), and Nine Inch Nails in his remarkable career in music. Atkins currently teaches at Madison Media Institute leading courses on Touring, Advanced Entrepreneurship, Artist and Event Management, and Online Marketing. When he’s not teaching, you can find him on the road, consulting with artists and organizations, or working on his next book, Band:Smart.
Jacoub Bondre – Culture Shock
Over the last decade the world has gotten a lot smaller. The evolution of communication over the Internet has increased the speed of globalization to the point where all of the worlds markets are linked. Not only have businesses collided, but cultures as well. Add to this the disappearance of the barriers between the masses and the tools needed to create culture, and the result is a splintering of our collective cultures. Culture affects behavior, and behavior in turn solidifies culture.
At the same time, ways of consuming media, and communicating is changing at an unimaginable pace. Think of the amount of TV and Video content you consumer from the web five years ago, and how much do you consume today. Does your daily commute involve a newspaper, or an eBook? The continued evolution of and converging of these devices is also creating new behaviors, and in turn creating cultures of its own. Cultures like txting, and social media interactions.
Whether you are a Musician or Marketer, Designer or Artist, following and understanding the changing cultural practices and behaviors is critical in reaching you audience, and consumer.
2011 Panelists and Industry Delegates
Wendy Day – Rap Coalition
Martin Atkins – Band Smart/ Tour Smart
Kevin Erikson – All Ages Movement Project
Jacoub Bondre – Grip Limited
Kate Kroll – Video Director – Make Believe Media
Annie Southworth – Panache Agency
John Chavez – Ground Control Touring Agency
Niklas Lundell – LUGER/Way Out West Festival
Brock McLaughlin – Bent Penny Records
Bryan Acker – Herohill
Bill Syrros – Lixar
Ben Pearlman – Collective Concerts
Dan Seligman – Pop Montreal
Mitch Fillion – Southern Souls
Lindsay Shedden – Sled Island
Yvonne Matsell – NXNE
Stephen Himmilfarb – Billions Corporation
Tom Kemp – SL Feldman Agency
Niklas Lundell – Way Out West Festival
Paul Henderson – SappyFest
Aaron Hicken – ECMA
Aaron Miller – Arts & Crafts
Aimee Power – ECMA
Allison Outhit – FACTOR
Andrew March – Youth Club Records / Craft Singles Cassettes
Bryan Acker – Herohill
Cameron Carpenter – Cool Planet Entertainment / 45 Records
Tim Hardy – SOCAN
Candace Redden – CD Heaven
Chris Smith – The Pavilion
Ian McKinnon – Ground Swell Music
Ian Steaman – Embrace Music Group
Janesta Boudreau – Sonic Entertainment Group
Jay Cleary – Evolve Festival
Jill Lanteigne – Metal Mouth Media
Jason MacIsaac – JJ Bookings
John Poirier – Warner Music Canada
Jon Bartlett – Kelp Records/MEGAPHONO
Josh Hogan – Diminished Fifth Records / Red Tentacle
Jules Lynch – CP Records
Kirk Lahey – Universal Music
Leif Helmer – Little River Folk
Louis Chiasson – Metal Mouth Media
Luke Macdonald – foodclothingshelter music/ The Red Herring Pub
Marc Perry – EMI Music Canada
Mary Ann Daye – The Company House
Matt Carter – Los Cabos Drumsticks
Melanie Stone – GroundSwell Music
Mike Carter – Babas Lounge
Ryan Abdala – Babas Lounge
Scott Long – Music Nova Scotia
Serge Samson – Music Nova Scotia
Stephanie Purcell – LimeLight Agency
Steven Barber – Hunters Ale House
Stephan MacLeod – Stitch Media
Valerie Denn – Val Denn Agency
Zach Atkinson – The Capitol Complex / Peppers Pub