Thursday, June 18, 2009 The Second City Toronto, 51 Mercer St. at Blue Jays Way
The NXNE Town Hall is a free-for-all, wide-ranging discussion on the music biz. Featuring reps from indie and major record labels, media, funding agencies, as well as managers and artists, the Town Hall serves up hard truths & strong opinions (not necessarily both at the same time). Grab a drink and listen in…or grab two drinks and jump in.
2009’s Town Hall:
OK–the bad news is the shrinking industry and an economic downturn; the good news is–maybe–an unprecedented chance to market our music and our artists on an international scale. Watch & listen as company heads from all aspects of the industry hash out how these challenges and opportunities are changing the way we do business.
Moderator: JAKE GOLD, CEO/President, The Management Trust
Jake Gold is one of Canada’s most successful artist managers. He is the co-owner of Kindling Music, an independent record label distributed by Warner Music Canada, and of The Management Trust, through which he is best known for his role in establishing and transforming The Tragically Hip into a national icon. Gold currently directs the careers of The Cliks, Sass Jordan, Lily Frost, and music producers Moe Berg, Russell Broom, Douglas Romanow and Laurence Currie.
Gold has been recognized by the annual Canadian Music Industry Awards as Manager of the Year in 1991, 1993 and 1994. He has been a member of the JUNO Awards Television and Talent committee since the 2003 awards broadcast in Ottawa-Gatineau.
Panelists:
DENISE DONLON, Executive Director, CBC Radio
With 25 years’ experience in Canada’s music industry, Donlon is a former host, broadcast journalist and producer of numerous groundbreaking music programs for Citytv and MuchMusic, as well as vice-president and general manager of MuchMusic/ MuchMoreMusic and president of Sony Music Canada. From 1986 to 1993, she hosted, then co-produced, MuchMusic’s The New Music. She subsequently worked as director of music programming for MuchMusic/Citytv, a position she held until 1997, as well as vice-president and general manager of MuchMusic/MuchMoreMusic, which she held until 2000. From 2000 to 2004 Donlon was president of Sony Music Canada. She currently lends her support and production abilities to a variety of high profile projects including Live 8, CBC’s Tsunami Concert of Hope, and the President Clinton Foundation Birthday Event.
Donlon has received various accreditations throughout her career, including the Broadcast Executive of the Year at the Canadian Music Week Industry Awards, the CMW Humanitarian Spirit Award, the Record’s Video Personality or Programmer of the Year, and in 1997 she was the recipient of Toronto’s Women in Films & Television Outstanding Achievement Award. She holds two honourary doctorates, was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002, and in 2005 was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. She currently sits on the board of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and of Margaret Atwood’s ‘long pen’ project Unotchit Inc.
JODIE FERNEYHOUGH, Managing Director, Universal Music Publishing Canada
Currently holding the position of Managing Director for Universal Music Publishing Canada, Jodie is also the President of the Canadian Music Publishing association, where he is active in lobbying, copyright reform and media relations. He is a board member of SOCAN and the CMRRA. He is also responsible for the amalgamation of BMG music publishing Canada to UMPG Canada.
While at Universal Music Publishing Group Jodie has been instrumental in the careers of Sam Roberts, KOS, and most recently, Mobile and Hedley as well works with established Canadian superstars Jann Arden, Shania Twain, Daniel Lavoie and Avril Lavigne, among others. He has been named Canadian Music Publisher at the annual CCMA awards, as well as Publisher of the Year at the annual CMW Industry Awards.
BERNIE FINKELSTEIN, President, Finkelstein Management
In 1969 Bernie Finkelstein started True North Records, now one of Canada’s oldest and largest independent record companies. Over the years True North has received over 40 gold and platinum records as well as over 40 Juno awards.
In 2007 Bernie sold True North but continues to manage Bruce Cockburn, The Golden Dogs and Grand Analog. As well he is currently the Chair of VideoFact and CIRPA and serves on the Starmaker board. He was given the Order Of Canada in 2007 and has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
PAUL HAAGENSON, President, Canada, West, Live Nation Canada
MARK JOWETT, Vice President/Co-Founder, Nettwerk Music Group
STEVE KANE, President, Warner Music Canada
Steve Kane joined Warner Music Canada in 2001 as Senior Vice President and Managing Director and was appointed President in January 2004. During that time he has been responsible for revamping the Marketing and A&R operations and bringing the company into an exciting new phase of development. Under Kane’s direction, the company signed Billy Talent, whose debut album went gold in seven weeks, Buck 65, who has received international acclaim, Sarah Slean, Ron Sexsmith and Matthew Barber.
Kane joined Warner Music Canada after over fifteen years in the Canadian music industry where he was the Senior Vice President of Universal/Island/DefJam Canada from 1998 – 2001 and Senior Vice President of Polygram Records in Canada in 1997. Throughout his career, he has also held positions in marketing and promotions at independent label I.R.S. and A&M Records, before becoming General manager at Virgin Records.
KEVIN LEFLAR, President, officialCOMMUNITY
Kevin Leflar is the Founder, President and CEO of The Official Community Corporation – officialCOMMUNITY – the leader in online community commercialization for established recording artists and their brands. officialCOMMUNITY extends an artist’s brand online by creating and managing a new and largely autonomous, but related, online business centred on the artist’s loyal community. Prior to the launch of officialCOMMUNITY, Mr. Leflar co-founded and served as Vice President and General Manager at InDIMENSIONS, an online media development and management company, where he was responsible for the development of new business, clients, communications and technical infrastructure.
He began his career circling the globe with multiple Juno award-winning artists such as Blue Rodeo and the Sattallites, and also served as Tour Manager for Artist Consulting Team/Risqué Disque. Mr. Leflar also served as Chairman for the Music Managers Forum and General Manager for Canadians Showcasing Internationally.
Currently, he serves as a member to The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), The International Ticketing Association (INTIX), The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), The Association of Internet Marketers and Sales (AIMS), and The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). In 2006, Mr. Leflar was honoured with the Victor Award for the “Best CPC Qualifying Transaction” at the Canadian Venture Forum (CVF).
HEATHER OSTERTAG, President/CEO, FACTOR
With 31 years in the Canadian music industry and 9 of those years as the President of FACTOR, Heather has dedicated her career to the advancement of Canadian talent. As the President & CEO of FACTOR, Heather is required to liaise with government, broadcasters and the music industry at large. She is a member of the Order of Canada, currently serves on the Board of the Country Music Association of Ontario, is the past chair of the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), is a life-time director on the Board of Directors for the East Coast Music Awards. In March 2006 she was awarded the Industry Builder Award from Canadian Music Week. In 2007 she was awarded the Jo Walker -Meador International Achievement Award from the Country Music Association.
JACK ROSS, Senior Vice President, The Agency Group
Jack is a 20-year veteran of the Canadian music industry. He is a founding partner of The Agency Group, Canada and overseas operations. Jack manages an office staff of 20 people, a company roster of over 200 clients and a personal roster that includes Great Big Sea, Paul Brandt, Sam Roberts Band, Bruce Cockburn and many others. Jack is currently involved in long-term development projects with artists Justin Nozuka, LIGHTS, Lindi Ortega and many more.
CHRIS SISAM, General Manager, Corus Radio Toronto
Chris Sisam is General Manager of Corus Radio stations 102.1 the Edge, Classic Rock Q107 and AM640 in Toronto. Professionally, he has been in Radio for 25 years. Personally, he has been a band manager, hockey and soccer coach and served on a number of charitable boards.
CHRIS TAYLOR, B.A., LL.B., Owner, Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa
Time Magazine has cited Chris as one of the “movers and shakers who are building the entertainment industry” and Billboard Magazine repeatedly cites him as one of the country’s most influential music lawyers. He is the founder/owner of Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa, a leading entertainment and new media law firm. His clients have sold over 50 million albums worldwide. The law firm works with Nelly Furtado, Avril Lavigne, Billy Talent, Three Days Grace and Gogol Bordello. He is also the founder of Last Gang Entertainment, an internationally successful entertainment company working with Metric, MSTRKRFT, The New Pornographers, Chromeo and Crystal Castles. In the early 90’s, Taylor was lead vocalist for Virgin recording artist, “One” – widely renowned as one of the country’s finest live acts.
