South By Southwest is here again, and as usual, Future of Music Coalition’s staff and board members are well represented at the industry’s biggest annual conference. Among all the breakfast tacos, margaritas, and above all, awesome music, we encourage you to make some time to check out these can’t-miss panels and sessions where FMC staff and board members will be speaking.

TUESDAY MARCH 17

Elevator Pitch Session   12:30-1:30 PM

Everyone is welcome to stand up and present an up to 1-minute pitch about a music/technology related company or idea, to connect with others who might be interested in collaboration. Preparation is not necessary - but is definitely encouraged. Your pitch will be evaluated by Brian Zisk of SF MusicTech, a co-founder of Future of Music Coalition.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18

Sweet Dreams: Where Creativity and Commerce Collide 12:30-1:30 PM

Hear from industry leaders who are all generating new revenue streams and opportunities for artists. They’ll examine the successes and pitfalls of “new artist revenue” - and together will assess what seems to be working and what is just a bunch of noise.

Moderator:
Dave Stewart, President, Dave Stewart Entertainment
Panelists:
Tom Lovett, Commercial Director Sofar Sounds
Mark Simmons, Author & Brand Strategist
Benji Rogers, PledgeMusic, FMC board member

Show Me The Money: 2:00-3:00 PM

Come learn about some of the latest developments within two fundamental pillars of sustaining and growing an artist’s career: funding and fan development. Hear from experts who are actively working with artists, managers and labels to establish a better foundation for long-term, sustained artist success leveraging new technologies and innovative practices. Panelists will provide a brief overview of their approaches, share case studies, and provide their perspective on developments in funding and fan acquisition.

Moderator:
Ken Umezaki, President Digital Daruma; FMC Board member
Panelists:
Michael Rosenthal, Digital Strategist OK Go/Paracadute
Kyle Philipp CEO, First Artist Bank
Tim Quirk Founder/CEO, Freeform
Jason Hobbs Founder, The Found Group

              Growth Hack: Strategic Music Partnerships For Startups  
               3:30PM - 4:30PM

Artists, managers, labels, agencies, and brands are all looking for the “new, the next, the never before”. They all want new ways to light up their business via creative and innovative partnerships with emerging companies. Why? it drives revenue, awareness, and data and everyone can win. However, there is often an understanding & access gap between the technologists and the music talent. Our panelists are forward-thinking and represent some of the biggest musicians and platforms in the world. They will inform how to best approach talent, rights holders, and brands activating in music. Learn what they are looking for and, maybe more importantly, how NOT to blow your approach.

Moderator:
Bryan Calhoun, VP, New Media & External Affairs, Blueprint Group; FMC advisor
Panelists:
Jonathan Azu, Red Light Management
Jon Vanhala, Crossfade/ Thesis Ventures
Eric Garland, Disney Accelerator
Naveen Jain, Sparkart Group Inc
Bill Campbell, Barefoot Media LLC

THURSDAY MARCH 19

Interview: Adrian Belew 11 AM-12 PM

The legendary guitarist, songwriter, and producer will be interviewed by Brian Zisk, cofounder of Future of Music Coalition.

The Devil You Don’t Know: Artists & Direct Deals 12:30-1:30 PM

Major labels and publishers tout the benefits of “direct deals” and “free market rates.” But are they telling artists the whole story? While it’s possible that direct deals might lead to higher rates, it’s just as likely that the opposite will occur, as rightsholders rush to undercut one another. Artists would cede leverage to just a handful of powerful industry players, with no guarantee bigger paydays. At a time where we desperately need more transparency, are direct deals a step in the opposite direction? We’ll examine the issues at play in Washington DC, and in the marketplace and what they might mean for the most important players in the space: music creators.

Moderator: 
Casey Rae, CEO, Future of Music Coalition
Panelists: 
Vickie Naumann, CrossBorderWorks
Simon Dennett, Kobalt Music
Keith Bernstein, CEO, Crunch Digital

FRIDAY MARCH 20

How Musicians Get Paid: The View From DC  5:00-6:00 PM

These days, there’s a lot of talk about reforming some or all of the music licensing system—in Congress, and in government agencies like the Copyright Office, Patent and Trademark Office, and Department of Justice. Policymakers are considering reforming the rules that govern licensing for performing, reproducing, and distributing songs and sound recordings, and the results could have a huge impact on musicians and their fans.
Come hear about the current state of the DC debate and learn about how you can make your voice heard.

Moderator:
Jodie Griffin, Public Knowledge
Panelists:
Norberto Salinas, Democratic Counsel, House Committee on the Judiciary
Jennifer Choudhry, Legislative Dir Office Of Rep Doug Collins (R-GA)
Casey Rae, CEO Future of Music Coalition