Get Plugged In: 3rd Annual Billboard Country Music Summit + Schedule
The third annual Billboard Country Music Summit is set to kick off come June 4 and June 5, 2012 in Nashville, TN a few days shy of the 2012 CMA Music Festival at the renovated Cannery Ballroom.
Produced in association with the Country Music Association, the Billboard Country Music Summit brings together the country music industry which include executives, up and coming entrepreneurs and artists to speak and cover recording, artist development, digital/social, touring, radio, publishing, finance, sponsorships, opportunities, case studies and more through a series of panels and roundtables.
This year’s Billboard Country Music Summit will feature some key women executives and industry speakers such as Becky Brenner, Lynette Garbonola, Ali Harnell, Laura Hutfless, Heather McBee, Jessica Northey, Victoria Shaw, Sheri Warnke, Jessica Beutler, duo Thompson Square, amongst others. While the male executives and key industry speakers will include the legendary Willie Nelson, Luke Bryan, Phil Caruso, Tony Conway, Ted Ellis, Pinky Gonzales, John Hogan, Tim Holland, Brock Jones, Tully Kennedy, Tom Lord, Curt Motley, Joel Raab, David Robkin, J Sider, Clarence Spalding, Jeff Walker, Bill Werde, Paul Zamek and others.
Over the last two years, Billboard Country Music Summit has been steadily making noise in Country music as a must attend for those who which to gain more knowledge and resources, network, discuss the future of Country music and music itself and more.
Last years participants included the likes of Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kellie Pickler, B.A.D. Management president Virginia Davis (Jewel, Steel Magnolia), Warner Music Nashville president John Esposito, CMT senior VP of music strategy Jay Frank, Samsung regional marketing manager Stacey Portnoy, ReverbNation co-founder/CEO Mike Doernberg and others.
Billboard Country Music Summit
http://www.billboardevents.com/country
Billboard Country Music Summit Schedule 2012
GET PLUGGED IN.
MONDAY, JUNE 4
8:00am – 5:00pm
REGISTRATION & EXHIBITS
9:00am – 9:15am
WELCOME ADDRESS & STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 2012
Bill Werde, Editorial Director, Billboard
Steve Moore, Board Chairman, CMA
9:15am – 10:15am
INDUSTRY KEYNOTE: THE MANAGER ROUNDTABLE
Publishing, recording, marketing, promotion, touring, digital, branding and artist development, today’s managers touch it all. Some of the most innovative and successful managers in country music today will discuss their strategies in an evocative session that will set the tone for all the panels to follow.
Moderator: Ken Tucker, Managing Editor, Country Weekly
Speakers: Clint Higham, President, Morris Management Group
Doc McGhee, President, McGhee Entertainment
Clarence Spalding, President, Spalding Entertainment
Mark Rothbaum, Manager, Rothbaum & Associates
Will Ward, Partner, ROAR Management
T.K. Kimbrell, Manager, TKO Artist Management
10:15am – 11:00am
TOURING PART I: BUYERS (AND AN ARTIST) TALK BUSINESS
Sponsored by Bridgestone Arena
Touring is the most lucrative and consistent revenue stream for country music artists today, and a critical component to building and maintaining the artist’s career, with or without hit songs. As such, talent buyers are a crucial component of the country music business and we’ll talk to a wide range of promoters and buyers here about what it takes to make a show or tour profitable.
Moderator: Ray Waddell, Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring and Live Entertainment, Billboard
Speakers: Shooter Jennings, Artist
Ali Harnell, VP, TMG-AEG Live
Brock Jones, VP, Booking, Global Spectrum
Jason Kane, Managing Director of Entertainment, RodeoHouston
Brian O’Connell, president, Live Nation Country Music
Tony Conway, CEO, Conway Entertainment Group
11:15pm – 12:15pm
FOLLOW THE MONEY: WHO IS INVESTING IN COUNTRY MUSIC AND WHERE
Increasingly, private equity is funding the development of country music careers, with investors often filling the role that record labels once did in providing the funding it takes to get an artist—or label—off the ground. Investors who are putting their money into the music business will discuss innovative investment strategies, what’s going on out there in the world of music investment, ROI, risk management, and where the money is going.
Moderator: Glenn Peoples, Senior Analyst, Billboard
Speakers: David Robkin, CEO, Bigger Picture Group
Mike Farris, Artist
Benny Brown, Founder/President, Broken Bow Records
Rick Stevens, CEO, Y Entertainment Group LLC
12:15pm – 1:30pm
BREAK
1:30pm – 2:15pm
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY with LUKE BRYAN
An in-depth discussion with Luke Bryan and the key players on his team that will break down the strategic moves that have taken Bryan to headlining status and what comes next.
Moderator: Ray Waddell, Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring and Live Entertainment, Billboard
Speakers: Luke Bryan, Artist
Kerri Edwards, Manager, Red Light Management
Jay Williams, Agent, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Dustin Eichten, Director of Marketing, Capitol Nashville
2:15pm – 3:00pm
CORPORATE AMERICA: WHAT BRANDS LIKE ABOUT COUNTRY
Blue-chip brands currently active in country music branding and sponsorships deals will discuss what it takes to tap into the corporate sponsorship market and what makes for a great partnership for the brand, the artist, and fans.
Moderator: Sheri Warnke, VP of Corporate Partnerships, CMA
Speakers: Chris Sinta, VP of Sponsorship, ConAgra
Philip Caruso, National Promotions Manager, Chevrolet
Aimee Cronfel, Public Relations and Media Planning Manager, Shell Oil Products US
Laura Hutfless, Sponsorships Agent, CAA
3:15pm – 4:00pm
TOURING PART II: THE AGENTS
Sponsored by Global Spectrum, L.P.
More than ever, booking agents play a pivotal role in both building an artist to headlining status and maximizing a touring strategy that ensures long term box office viability. Some of the most successful and visionary Nashville agents will share their secrets to strategic booking and prove once and for all that they don’t just throw darts at a map of North America.
Moderator: Sally Williams, GM, Ryman Auditorium
Speakers: Rob Beckham, Agent, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Curt Motley, Agent, Paradigm Talent
Lance Roberts, Agent, Bobby Roberts Co.
Kevin Neal, President, Buddy Lee Attractions
Marc Dennis, Agent, Creative Artists Agency
4:15pm – 5:15pm
SUPERSTAR Q&A
5:30pm – 6:30pm
OPENING COCKTAIL RECEPTION & ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
Roundtable Topics Include:
Digital:
Pinky Gonzales, Director of West Coast Operations, BubbleUp Legal/Business Management:
Recording/Production:
Publishing:
Troy Tomlinson President & CEO Sony ATV Music -Nashville
Wade Jessen, Senior Chart Manager/Nashville, Billboard
Sponsorships:
Jessica Beutler, Senior Sponsorship Coordinator, MAC Presents
TUESDAY, JUNE 5
8:30am – 5:00pm
REGISTRATION & EXHIBITS
9:30am – 10:30am
MAKIN’ TRACKS: JOURNEY OF A SONG
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” was a difference maker for a lot of people and companies in Nashville. It was the first hit for Thompson Square, who just won the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Duo of the Year award and were able to play arenas on tours with Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum. It was the first hit for NV, a four-person production team that includes three members of Aldean’s band. And it was the first hit on the Stoney Creek label. Songwriter Jim Collins and Thompson Square will be joined by several other players in the song’s progression to demonstrate the numerous hurdles it faced on its way to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Songs and to show how a single title can change lives.
Moderator:
Speakers: Keifer Thompson, Artist, Thompson Square
Shawna Thompson, Artist, Thompson Square
Jim Collins, Songwriter
David Lee Murphy, Songwriter
Lynette Garbonola, New Media Specialist, Broken Bow
Tully Kennedy, NV
10:45am – 11:00am
CMA RESEARCH STUDY
Presented By: Greg Fuson, Market Research Manager, CMA
11:00am – 11:45am
THE INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS PANEL
Acts ranging from Taylor Swift to Brad Paisley are laying the seeds for a career that expands well beyond the shores of North America with hopes of broadening their touring, record sales, and overall career arch. At the same time, international artists that play country music are finding success in their own territories and attempting to make a mark in the states. Key players in the international country music space will weigh in on the current environment on the global country music scene.
Moderator: Jeff Walker, CEO, AristoMedia
Speakers:Ted Ellis, CMT Canada & President of the Canadian Country Music Association Board
John Lomax III, President, Roots Music Exporters
Tom Lord, VP of Marketing, UMG Nashville
Paul Zamek, President, Paul Zamek Enterprises/ Global Consulting
Tim Holland, A&R/ Label Manager, ABC Records Australia
Victoria Shaw, Singer/Songwriter/Producer
11:45am – 12:30pm
ARTISTS AND SOCIAL NETWORKING: HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT REALLY?
There is no doubt that social networking can be an effective tool in connecting with fans and selling tickets. But which artists use it effectively, and how exactly. This panel will pull back the curtain on what actually works in social networking, and offer surprising insight into what does not. Time for a social reality check.
Moderator: Pinky Gonzales, Director, West Coast Operations, BubbleUp
Speakers: Jonathan Leone, Co-Founder, Thrillcall
Jessica Northey, Host/Creator, #CMChat
Heather McBee, VP, Artist Development/Marketing & Web Initiatives, Sony Music Nashville
J Sider, Founder, RootMusic
12:30pm – 1:45pm
BREAK
1:45pm – 2:30pm
SUPERSTAR Q&A
2:45pm – 3:00pm
CMA RESEARCH STUDY PART II
Presented By: Greg Fuson, Market Research Manager, CMA
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Q&A with WILLIE NELSON
A rare Q&A with one of the most important figures in the history of country music.
Moderator:Ray Waddell, Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring and Live Entertainment, Billboard
Speaker: Willie Nelson
ON AIR: THE RADIO BLOCK
Afternoon of programming dedicated to Country Radio
4:15pm – 5:15pm
CHECK THE RESEARCH AND ASK THE CONSULTANT: THE METHOD, THE MADNESS, THE ANSWERS
“Let me check the research and ask our consultant.” It is the phrase that strikes fear in the hearts of country music promotion people everywhere, or at least makes their hair stand up on a daily basis. Billboard has assembled an all-star team of respected country radio consultants and research pros who will demystify the role of the consultant and the importance and misconceptions of music research. Bring along your questions, complaints and outbursts to this session, and we promise you’ll leave with plenty of answers—at the very least, you’ll come away with a more informed view of these often maligned gatekeepers and the important work they do.
Moderators: Jimmy Harnen, President,Republic Nashville
Gregg Swedberg, Operations Manager, KEEY-FM/Clear Channel Minneapolis, MN
Speakers: Becky Brenner, VP/Consulting Partner, Albright & O’Malley Consulting
John Hart, Owner/President, Hart Media/Bullseye Research
Joel Raab, Owner/President, Joel Raab Associates
Rusty Walker, President, Rusty Walker Programming Consultants
Charlie Cook, President, McVay/Cook & Associations and Director of Programming, West Virginia Radio Corp
5:15pm – 6:00pm
KEYNOTE Q&A
John Hogan, Chairman/CEO, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment
Moderator: Bill Werde, Editorial Director, Billboard
6:00pm – 7:00pm
CLOSING COCKTAIL RECEPTION