PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Clyne Media, Inc.
Tel: (615) 662-1616
Fax: (615) 662-1636
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE RECORDING ACADEMY® PACIFIC NORTHWEST CHAPTER
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
PRESENTED MUSICTECH SUMMIT
Music and Technology Architects of the New Music Industry Analyzed
the Forces
Defining the Future to Determine How the Changing Landscape
Can Empower Artists and Further Their Careers
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2007) —
As part of an ongoing effort to stimulate dialogue and share experiences
throughout the music and technology communities, The Recording Academy®
Pacific Northwest Chapter, in partnership with The Producers & Engineers
Wing, presented MusicTech Summit, the second annual conference covering
the evolving issues arising from the current convergence of music and
technology. The two-day event was held Nov. 2 and 3 at the Experience
Music Project's JBL Theater, with closing receptions each night at Solo
Bar in Seattle. The event drew 450 attendees as more than 40 panelists
tackled hot-button industry issues, including monetizing music in the
digital age, mobile devices and music, touring and technology, the future
of digital distribution and the effects of congressional policy on the
music business. As with all similar events that the P&E Wing has
co-sponsored with The Recording Academy Chapters around the country,
those in attendance left with a deeper understanding of the new landscape
of music.
The tone of the conference was set by the keynote interview
with Nettwerk Music Group CEO and founder Terry McBride, whose vision
of the industry's future focused on the fact that now, more than ever,
the music business is driven by artists and their music. The conference
was broken into eight areas addressed by panels consisting of leaders
from an array of music and technology fields. They included recording
artist Dave Allen (Gang Of Four) and manager Randy Irwin (Arctic Monkeys)
as well as Pandora CEO Joe Kennedy and SoundExchange Executive Director
John Simson. Panels such as "The Look Of The New Label," "Monetizing
Music In The Digital Age," "The Future Of Digital Distribution"
and "Convergence: Mobile Devices & Music" offered insight
into changing revenue streams and how international technology affects
U.S. consumer trends. The discussion "How Policy In Congress Makes
Or Breaks The Music Business," moderated by Daryl Friedman, Vice
President of Advocacy & Government Relations of The Recording Academy,
brought Simson and Kennedy, along with Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), RealNetworks
Sr. Vice President of Business Development Dan Sheeran and others together
to offer candid commentary on the necessity to step up efforts to educate
Congress on the repercussions of the rapid pace of technological change.
"MusicTech Summit far surpassed our expectations,"
said Ben London, Executive Director of The Recording Academy Pacific
Northwest Chapter. "The capacity crowds, amazing panelists, and
two days of people doing business were what made this year's summit
so successful. I have already received calls asking how we are going
to top it next year. All I can say is get ready and stay tuned."
Photo File: Digital_Distribution_1.JPG
Photo Caption: Shown from L–R: The Future of Digital Distribution
panelists Scott Ambrose Reilly (Amazon), Derek Sivers (CD Baby), Ted
Kartzman (Rhapsody), Kyle Hopkins (ZUNE), Kevin Arnold (IODA), Steve
Mack (moderator, Lux Media), Ben London (ED, PNW Chapter)
Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2007
Photographed by: Kevin Casey
Photo File: Mobile_Devices.JPG
Photo Caption: Shown from L–R: Convergence: Mobile Devices and
Music panelists Ben London (ED, PNW Chapter), Mark Donovan (moderator,
M:Metrics), Dave Dederer (Melodeo), Dan Hou (Motorola), Karen Manning
(T-Mobile), Bret Moore (RealNetworks)
Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2007
Photographed by: Kevin Casey
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization
of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that
is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life
for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY®
Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence
and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is
responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment,
advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The
Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence,
advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains
an indelible part of our culture. The Recording Academy Pacific Northwest
Chapter, founded in 1997, works closely with local music organizations
to support the region's flourishing arts community and collaborates
with regional technology corporations at the forefront of the digital
age. It represents music industry professionals from Alaska, Idaho,
Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. For more information about
The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.
Currently, 6,000 professionals comprise the Producers
& Engineers Wing, which was established for producers, engineers,
remixers, manufacturers, technologists, and other related creative and
technical professionals in the recording community. This organized voice
for the recording community addresses issues that affect the craft of
recorded music, while ensuring its role in the development of new technologies,
recording and mastering recommendations, and archiving and preservation
initiatives. For more information, please visit www.producersandengineers.com.
Other company and product names may be trademarks of the
respective companies with which they are associated.
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Media Contacts:
Robert Clyne/Clyne Media, Inc./615.662.1616/robert@clynemedia.com
Lisa Roy/310.463.1563/lisaroyaudio@mac.com
Jennifer Keppel/The Recording Academy/310.392.3777