Australia’s national forum for contemporary music policy and industry development.

Australia’s national forum for contemporary music policy and industry development was held Wed 3 and Thu 4 August 2016 at Customs House, Circular Quay, Sydney. Program detail follows:

Forums

National Music Industry Educators Forum

9.30am – 12.30pm, Wednesday 3 August

A half day national forum of contemporary music educators. It will build industry linkages, scan provision, identify opportunities, and forge a commitment to further strengthen skills, training and workforce development for the Australian contemporary music industry. More detail here.

Convenor: Ben O’Hara, Dean Collarts

National Live Music Forum 

9.30am – 12.30pm , Wednesday 3 August

The National Live Music Office presents the next frontier in Australian live music strategy. From innovative policy, to rolling back regulatory barriers, stimulating audiences, fostering sector development and building public demand, this session explores key challenges and opportunities for the next 3 years. The Forum will feature leading industry identities and policy makers from across all tiers of government. More detail here.

Convenors: John Wardle & Damian Cunningham, Co-Directors, National Live Music Office

Presentations and Panels

Wednesday 3 August       

Opening Presentation
1.30pm – 2.00pm

Music Australia Welcome – Chris Bowen, CEO Music Australia; Stephen Green, SGC Media (Facilitator)

Presentation – Katie Noonan, Artistic Director Queensland Music Festival

Music, Media, Audiences and the Future
2.00pm – 3.00pm

How much do we understand the audiences and consumers of our music? What are audience patterns and how voracious is the desire for music – what do they actually want? How do we navigate the plethora of entertainment options available and steer consumers towards music, both live and recorded as a key contender for attention and wallet share? This session brings together media and others whose jobs depend on consumer take-up to give their take on the current reality for music in the world of real consumers.

Moderator: Stephen Green, SCG Media

Panel: Chris Scaddan, Manager Triple J; Brian “Smash” Chladil, Director Oz Tix; Brett Nossiter, Content Director, iHeart Radio, Craig Treweek, Managing Director, TheMusic

Measuring Australian Music – show me the numbers
3.45pm – 4.45pm

Australian music generates more attendances than sport, and is gaining increased success in multiple markets.  Yet the economic and cultural impact of our industry is under recognised, and solid data of the value of our industry is hard to come by.  We share info on two Australian Research Council research projects: Music Export with Sounds Australia and Music Usage Metrics with Nightlife Music. We also ask what three key data sets can best measure our industry, and how can we achieve this?

Moderator: Stuart Watters Director – Licensing & Business Affairs, Nightlife Music

Panel:  Assoc Prof Shane Homan, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University; Tom Kiehl, Director of Government & Public Affairs, UK Music (video-link); Kim Tran, Director, Policy & Programs Live Performance Australia; Prof Richard Vella, Chair & Professor of Music Newcastle Conservatorium Newcastle University; Assoc Prof Patrik Wikström, Deputy Director QUT Digital Media Research Centre

Music Industry 2020 Forecasts   – Day One Wrap
4.45 – 5.15pm                         

We ask the experts: what can we expect in 2020? We look at attendance and consumption trends in live music, streaming, and recorded music sales. As streaming matures as a music platform, and touring and festivals are still in flux, what growth trends can we expect, and does an upwards trajectory present an opportunity to seize?

Moderator: Patrick Donovan, Music Victoria, AMIN

Panel:  Brett Cottle, CEO APRA AMCOS; Evelyn Richardson – Chief Executive Live Performance Australia; Dan Rosen, CEO ARIA.

Thursday 4 August                  

Making Music a Potent Political Force
10.00am – 11.00am

Contemporary music is a billion dollar industry that generates significant revenues, employs thousands, and is a key exporter and tourism contributor. Yet we lag other countries and industries in government recognition for our economic and cultural contribution. This panel will explore strategies to place Australian music higher on the political agenda.

Moderator: Joe Hay, arts industry consultant.  Speaker: Michael Smellie – Chair Music Australia

Panellists: Van Badham, Writer, commentator, arts critic; Julie Owens MP, Federal Member for Parramatta, co-Convenor Parliamentary Friends of Australian Music; Dean Ormston, Head of member Services Group APRA AMCOS; Michael Smellie Chair Music Australia

Australian recorded music product
11.00am – 12.00pm

Quality recordings are vital to successful music careers and businesses. Research has identified an opportunity to strengthen Australian produced sound recordings, to tap rich creative opportunities and build consumer demand. How can this best be realised, resourced and delivered in a world where the business model of direct monetisation for recordings has so comprehensively changed? This session explores these questions and opportunities to strengthen Australian content creators and investors.

Moderator: Assoc Prof Shane Homan, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University

Panellists: Heath Bradby, Head of A&R, Warner Music Australia; Maggie Collins, Manager- Fans Creative; Matthew Rogers, General Manager Unified; Ed Sholl, Label Manager Future Classic.

Tapping our full potential – Gender diversity in music  
1.30pm – 2.30pm 

Australia’s music industry is created by talented people of all ages, geographic and cultural backgrounds, but there is not equal representation in many spheres of activity. This session will explore current initiatives to ensure greater gender equality, especially in decision-making roles. It will also recommend industry adoption of best practice approaches.

Convenor: Lindy Morrison OAM, former drummer The Go Betweens, National Welfare Coordinator Support Act, Artist Director PPCA Board (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia)

Panel: Vicki Gordon, Vicki Gordon, Founding President & Executive Director Australian Women in Music Awards; Jana Gibson, Director of Writer Services APRA AMCOS; Kerry Digby, Remote and Regional Art and Community Management; Zoe Hauptmann, Artistic Director, Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA); Arwen Curson Vice President Creative, ANZ, Universal Music.

Creative Economy: Microbusinesses Going for Growth
2.30pm – 3.30pm

We examine the issues micro businesses face and opportunities to speed development. What are the headaches and growth plateaus and what do fledgling music businesses actually need? Capital, skills and resources are often in short supply when most needed by start-up music businesses. We explore innovative strategies to boost the biggest single part of our music industry: micro businesses, and increase their contribution to Australia’s creative economy.

Moderator: Lisa Colley, Manager Cultural Strategy City of Sydney

Panel: Ben Fletcher Director Generate, Rick Chazan, Ground Control Music; Andrew Stone General Manager Chugg Music; Claire Collins, Bossy Music; Brian “Smash” Chladil, Director Oz Tix

Roundtable Plenary
3.45 – 5.00pm

National music Industry peak bodies and specialist agencies, together with conference Moderators, come together to deliberate, determine key issues and priorities and affirm conference recommendations. Opportunities for discussion and Q&A for all conference delegates.

Facilitator: Stephen Green, SGC Media

Closing Address
5.00 – 5.15pm

FunctionsWednesday 3 August, 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start

Civic Reception, Sydney Town Hall

Guest Speaker Michael Chugg, AM – for all delegates

Thursday 4 August, 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start

Cocktail Function, Barnett Long Room, Customs House                                

Post conference drinks and canapés on the Customs House Terrace – for all delegates