2016 Schedule & Panels

The R2I Spring Tune Up Conference is priced to ensure that ALL artists can afford to participate. The conference will feature knowledgeable panelists and keynote speakers. All panels and workshops are interactive to ensure delegates can connect with key members of the music industry. This conference, while focused on country music, will be relevant to many genres of music.

Panel and discussion topics include songwriting, publishing, distribution, marketing and promotion, funding, and more! There is also an opportunity for artists to showcase.

SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016

8:00AM – 5:00PM	REGISTRATION
9:30AM – 10:10AM	MORNING COFFEE: CAFFEINE FIX FOR BEGINNERS ( included with conference pass )
10:10AM – 10:15AM	WELCOMING ADDRESS
10:15AM – 11:15AM	MANAGERS VS. AGENTS: WHEN YOU NEED THEM AND WHEN THEY NEED YOU

Moderator:

Brian Hetherman, President, Cerberus Management

Panelists:

Stefanie Purificati,Agent, UTA
Joel Baskin, Agent, The Feldman Agency
Liam Killeen, Artist Manager Assoc.,Coalition Entertainment
Louis O’Reilly, VP Management and Label Divisions, Invictus Entertainment

11:30AM – 12:30PM

BANDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUNDS: MEET YOUR FUNDERS

There are a number of ways you can come up with money to kick-start a music career. Whether it’s seed money for your next recording, tour expenses, production money for that video or start up funds to develop your business, this panel of experts from multiple disciplines will explain the tax credits, grant programs and funding available to help the independent artists and SME’s turn their talent into revenue.

Moderator:

Keely Kemp, Culture Cap
Jeff Hayward, FACTOR
Mark Watts, Ontario Music Fund

12:30PM – 1:30PM	LUNCH: CHOW’S ON US (included with conference pass)
1:30PM – 2:30PM	ALL I HAVE TO DO IS STREAM

With so many digital distribution points – how do artists break through the clutter to be heard? What opportunities are there for indie artists and how can they get the most out of streaming? What does streaming mean for artist revenue and sales? How have other artists been successful on streaming platforms? How important are playlists? Why aren’t Taylor Swift and Adele on streaming services? Join us as a panel of industry professionals representing streaming services, labels, artists and digital distributors debate these questions and more.

Moderator:

Ashley Sperling, Marketing Manager, Cadence Music

Panelists:

Sherry Sinclair, Project Manager, Digital Services, Bell Media
J. Spencer Mussellam, Label Manager, Believe Digital
Louis O’Reilly, VP Management and Label Divisions, Invictus Entertainment

2:45PM – 3:45PM

I CAN’T FEEL MY FACEBOOK: ENGAGING YOUR AUDIENCE

With endless social platforms and plenty of online clutter it can be overwhelming for artists to engage with their audience online in a meaningful way. Our panel will discuss how artists can approach digital marketing and create content that engages, connects and creates long-term fans.

Moderator:

Allan Mamaril, M88

Panelists:

Eric Alper, Director Media Relations and Label Relations, eOne Music Canada
Sean Andernacht, Socal Media Promotions, Cadence Music
Lindsay Hyslop, Manager, Marketing & Digital, RGK Entertainment

4:00PM – 5:00PM

WHY DID THE COUNTRY SINGER CROSS THE BRAND: MUSIC PARTNERSHIPS AND CROSS PROMOTIONS

Today’s consumer brands are stepping in where the record labels left off in helping bands get discovered. Meanwhile, emerging music has proven to be an effective way to reach today’s young consumers who are demanding authenticity and want to engage in a dialogue with their favorite bands and brands. This panel will take a closer look at these trends and discuss examples of brands that are doing this successfully.

Moderator:

Kevin Goodman, CEO, FRC Marketing

Panelists:

Janis Nixon, Group Account Director, Shed Creative Agency
Andres Mendoza, Talent, Strategy and Marketing, Cuto
Nicole Wolff, Marketing Manager, Molson Coors

5:00PM

DINNER (not included with conference pass)

SUNDAY MAY 29, 2016

8:30AM – 6:00PM	REGISTRATION
9:30AM – 10:45AM	AGM BREAKFAST (hot breakfast included with conference pass)

This is your CMAO and it’s time to help select the Directors who will steer the ship into the future. If you are a member in good standing, come and hear the candidates speak, exercise your right to vote, receive your copy of the financial statements, hear about the CMAO’s operations and direction, and meet your fellow members at the Annual General Meeting.

11:00AM – 12:00PM

THERE’S NO BUSINESS IN SHOW BUSINESS…UNTIL NOW

Managing a creative business is similar to being a General of an Army. As a general, one will have to make critical big picture decisions to ensure the mission’s success. Our panelists will discuss key big picture items relating to running a musically driven business, including topics such as the legal structure, managing and raising money, understanding and managing risks and taxation. This session will cover:

What does the legal structure mean to running a business, including taxation.
What sources of revenues artists can expect to earn? How to raise capital and financing?
What are some of the risks that artist businesses face and how to protect the business?
Most artists don’t have regular inflow of cash. How to manage the large inflows and dry spells, so you don’t put yourself in financial hole.

Moderator:

Sam Arraj, CPA, CA, CW Partners LLP

Panelists:

Paul Sanderson, Entertainment Lawyer, Sanderson Law
D. Jae Gold, Partner, BA, CPA, CA, CFE, D. Jae Gold Entertainment Accountants
Chris Case, Insurance Broker, Dan Lawrie Insurance Brokers
Rona Birenbaum B.A.S., CFP, CHFS, Financial Planner, Caring for Clients

12:15PM – 1:15PM

WE’RE ALL EARS: DEMO LISTENING SESSION

Smash or Trash? Egos and reputations will be on the line as our panel with a Music Supervisor, Music Publisher, Songwriter and Music Director who will say yay or nay (or maybe ‘Hey’!) to a handful of unreleased singles. Each track will be played without advance knowledge of the artist or label and judged on merit alone. Do these guys recognize a hit when they hear one? It’s time for them to show what they know.

Moderator:

Pete Walker, Music Director, Durham Radio

Panelists:

Steve Wilkinson, Songwriter
Brian Allen, President, Amplus Productions
Kyle Merkley, Music Supervisor, Arpix Media

1:15PM – 2:15PM	LUNCH BREAK
2:30PM – 3:30PM	SOCAN PRESENTATION: ARE P.R.O.s STILL VALID?

SOCAN, Canada’s Music Rights Organization works to get you paid when your music is played. Whether live in concert, on the radio or digitally, learn how we keep the money straight for our members. Join SOCAN Account Executive, Bruce Landon as he dives into the behind the scenes world of royalties and music rights in a 101 style session with opportunities for Q&A.

Presenter:

Bruce Landon, Education and Outreach Coordinator, SOCAN

3:45PM – 4:45PM

BEEN THERE, SUNG THAT: THE ARTIST PANEL

These artists have been there, they’ve made the mistakes, so you don’t have to. In this panel, veterans of the country music scene tell their cautionary tales, offer advice about the business of music and discuss changes in the Industry that have taken place or are just around the corner.

Moderator:

Ted Roop, Director of Programming, Larche Communications

Panelists:

Jason Blaine, Artist
Aaron Pritchett, Artist
Doug Oliver, Band Member, Cold Creek County

5:00PM – 6:00PM

CAPTAIN HOOK AND MAJOR MELODY: SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND

What’s it take to create a hit song? Our panel of veteran music hit makers reveals the secrets on writing a chart topping song. Learn insights into composing effective lyrics, melodies and hooks; and most importantly, how to develop persistence – which, in the end, leads to generating revenue. Expect some humorous anecdotes, and inspiring stories from today’s hottest songwriting hit makers.

Moderator:

Steve Parker, Executive Producer, Canadian Country Spotlight

Participants:

Aaron Pritchett
Donovan Woods
Patricia Conroy

7:00PM – 10:00PM

THE NEW FACES SHOWCASE

A cornerstone of the CMAO’s mission is to help new Ontario talent get noticed and advance to the next level. Selected by a jury of industry experts, each artist will perform a mini-set live on the CMAO showcase stage. Come and see who the rising sun will be shining on tomorrow.