NXNE NEXT LEVEL Panels

Our 2026 NEXT LEVEL Panels include two days of educational discussions and networking at TIFF Lightbox Theatre. Check out the details below!

Friday, June 12

THE LIVE MUSIC BUSINESS
Agents • Promoters • Festivals • Venues • Touring • Ticketing

9:00 - 10:00 AM - Registration & Networking Breakfast

10:00 - 10:10 - Opening Remarks

A behind-the-scenes conversation on the realities of building and booking festivals in 2026. From securing headliners and navigating rising talent costs to managing radius clauses, sponsorship pressures, routing logistics, and shifting audience expectations, this panel explores the challenges shaping today’s festival landscape. Industry leaders across talent buying, promotion, production, and partnerships will break down how lineups are assembled, what goes into negotiating artists at every level, and how festivals balance creativity with financial sustainability. The discussion will also offer practical insight for aspiring promoters and entrepreneurs looking to launch their own festival — including early planning, programming strategy, partnerships, budgeting, and the biggest mistakes to avoid.

10:10 - 10:50 – Inside the Booking Room: How Festivals Are Built in 2026

Speakers

  • Regional Vice President, Live Nation

    Over his 20+ year career, Ali Shafaee has produced large-scale festivals across Canada, the United States and Mexico in all genres including Latin, Urban, Dance and Country. He has led festival teams from inception to talent booking and through production. Ali was honored in 2019 with a Forty Under 40 Award and received an Ottawa Tourism Award for Escapade Music Festival, which is celebrating its 16-year anniversary in 2026. In 2023, Ali became the Regional Vice President at Live Nation and head of its Ottawa office. His passion for live events and music has fuelled him to continue to be a leader and innovator in the space and, in his new role, will be overseeing multiple Live Nation festivals across Ontario as well as the growth and of live music in the nation’s capital, with projects like the upcoming HISTORY Ottawa.

  • Entertainment Manager  & Talent Buyer, Canadian National Exhibition

    Emily Kempe is a Toronto-based live music professional with experience in concert booking, festival programming, and event production. As the Entertainment Manager  & Talent Buyer at the Canadian National Exhibition (fondly known as The Ex), Emily works closely with agents, managers, and industry partners to connect audiences with great music throughout the 18-day event. Through her work producing and booking, Emily has seen firsthand how the festival landscape has evolved, from rising costs and artist availability to increased competition for talent. She is passionate about creating memorable live experiences and helping ensure the long-term success of Canada's music industry.

  • Senior Programming & Events Manager, Pride Toronto

    Jamie Nicholson (any pronouns) is an arts manager, talent buyer and events professional with over 10 years of experience working on a multitude of Canadian events and festivals. Jamie is currently the Senior Manager, Programming & Events Manager at Pride Toronto entering their 6th festival. At Pride Toronto Jamie manages over 100 events annually, including the 4 day Festival Weekend with 8 stages, 200+ hours of programming and booking over 400 acts.

10:55 - 11:35 – How Venues collaborate with Ticketing

In the concert industry, the relationship between venues and ticketing partners plays a critical role in the success of every show. From on-sale strategy and pricing to fan experience and data sharing, effective collaboration can directly impact revenue, attendance, and artist satisfaction. This panel brings together venue executives, promoters, and ticketing leaders to discuss how teams work together to navigate presales, dynamic pricing, marketing support, operational logistics, and evolving consumer expectations. Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the coordination required to deliver successful live music events in today’s competitive concert landscape.

Speakers

  • President/CEO, The Management Trust, Ltd.  

    Jake Gold is one of Canada’s most successful artist managers, and for its 6-season run, a judge on the national television hit Canadian Idol. In 1981, Gold started his artist management company, The Management Trust, through which he is best known for his role in establishing and transforming The Tragically Hip into a national icon.  

     

    In 2020, Gold reunited with The Hip to direct their legacy in Canadian music history; he also manages Indie rock giants, Broken Social Scene as well as   acclaimed pop rock band The Pursuit of Happiness, and music producers Moe Berg, Laurence Currie, and Russell Broom, Steve Berlin and co–manages the quickly rising DJ Suray Sertin alongside Ryan Hefford. 

    Gold has been recognized by the annual Canadian Music Industry Awards as Manager of the Year in 1991, 1993 and 1994. In 2009, Gold was elected to the board of CIMA (CIRPA) and had been Vice‐Chairman of CIMA for 10 years.  

    Jake was also a board member for the MMF (Music Managers Forum), and was instrumental in starting the organization in the 90’s. In 2013 he was the recipient of MMF Honour Roll Award for his lifetime work in the field of Artist Management. 

    In 2023 CIMA awarded Gold the “Change” award (formerly the builder award), for his many years of service to the board.  Later that same year, he was also honoured along with his clients, The Tragically Hip, with the Founder award from Warchild Canada for their continued contribution to the charity. In 2024 Jake was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame.  

    Jake most recently sat on the Connect Music board as well as the Re:Sound board.  

    In 2024 Gold executive produced the award-winning series “The Tragically Hip, No Dress rehearsal” 

  • Programming Manager, Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall

    Rodrigo Fritz is Programming Manager at Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall, where he collaborates with artists and partners to develop dynamic programming and present some of the world’s leading performers in Toronto. With over 20 years of experience in live events and artist development, he has also held programming roles at Harbourfront Centre. In 2026, he was named Talent Buyer of the Year at the Canadian Live Music Awards.

  • Director, Premium Sales & Service | Music & Live Events

    Corrado is a live entertainment industry leader with experience creating premium fan experiences and driving business growth across Toronto’s top venues. He led the launch of the Premium LIVE ticketing program for MLSE and Live Nation, delivering best-in-class VIP experiences, premium amenities, and industry-leading results at venues including Scotiabank Arena, RBC Amphitheatre, HISTORY, and Rogers Stadium. His expertise spans sales strategy, product innovation, and team leadership, with a consistent focus on driving business development while elevating the fan experience.

  • Senior Director, Booking, Oak View Group

    Alex leads programming for Oak View Group’s TD Coliseum — Canada’s only music-first arena — which opened in Hamilton, ON in November 2025 following a $300 million transformation. Within its first months of operation, TD Coliseum ranked as the highest-grossing arena in Canada and 33rd globally in Pollstar’s Q1 2026 report. Alex has booked and promoted concerts under Live Nation, Endeavor/IMG, The Agency Group, and now OVG. Highlights include booking large-scale festivals such as Boots & Hearts, WayHome, Toronto Jazz Festival, UFC 242 Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong Sevens, and Wake Up Call Festival across four international markets.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

11:40 - 12:20 – Marketing & Monetizing Music Experiences

In today’s music industry, fans aren’t just buying tickets or streaming songs. They’re investing in experiences. From live events and brand activations to fan communities, VIP packages, and viral social campaigns, artists and companies are finding new ways to market and monetize music beyond traditional revenue streams. This panel explores how music experiences are being built, promoted, and turned into sustainable businesses in 2026. Industry leaders across live entertainment, marketing, partnerships, tech, and artist management will discuss audience engagement strategies, sponsorship integration, content creation, fan data, and how to create experiences that drive both culture and revenue in an increasingly competitive market.

Speakers

  • DJ, Host, Content Creator, DevoDLive

    Devante Burey, professionally known as DevoDLive, is an DJ, entertainment host, content creator and performance artist. Born and raised in Toronto, Devo caught the entertainment bug at a young age and made weekly trips to the MUCH Music studios, downtown Toronto to participate in live audience productions during the peak era of the entertainment network.

    After graduating high school, Devo accepted an offer for a developing entertainment host role with the outlet BestFan.com, which is owned and operated by entertainment mogul Chris Smith and music executive Danny Reiner. In his time with BestFan TV, Devo was an active host and producer for dozens of interviews including Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, Tyler Shaw, Fifth Harmony, Pentatonix and more.

    In more recent years Devo has developed his social media presence and fan base both domestically and internationally, hosting many events for major record labels like Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music and film studios including Sony Pictures, Warner Bros and eOne. He’s been featured on Radar Online, OK! News, Star Magazine, People Magazine and more locally HELLO! Magazine Toronto Life, The Toronto Star, etc. and was naked by ET Canada as a ‘social media creator to watch’. He’s also been tapped to host events for Billboard Canada, Rolling Stone Canada, RBC, TD Bank and several other noteworthy brands for his unparalleled energy.

    The future is bright for this emerging Canadian talent who aims to be a household name on the entertainment landscape across Canada in years to come.

  • VP Marketing, MLSE

  • Senior Director, Sponsorship Strategy & Digital

    Riah Sethna is the Senior Director of Sponsorship Strategy & Digital at Live Nation Canada, leading national partnership strategy and the company’s expanding digital portfolio. She specializes in translating brand objectives into innovative sponsorship and digital solutions through strategic planning, creative ideation, brief interpretation, product development, and custom pitch creation. Riah develops commercially driven sponsorships across live events, ticketing, content, commerce, influencers, and first-party audience media, helping brands connect with Canadian music fans in meaningful and measurable ways.

  • Co-General Manager, Warner Music Canada

    Madelaine Napoleone is a collaborative and respected marketing leader.  Beginning her career at Universal Music Canada, Napoleone rose through UMC’s ranks as a marketing manager on her way to becoming the Senior Director of Marketing where she developed effective and creative Canadian marketing plans for some of the world’s biggest artists across all genres.  


    Now at Warner Music Canada as the co-General Manager, her strong strategic vision and innovative approach to the music business enable her to build new audiences for Canadian artists, both at home and around the world.  Napoleone oversees several departments at Warner Music Canada including marketing, socials, creative, communications and promotions.  In her current position Napoleone is focused on working collaboratively with her team to elevate and amplify artists, highlight areas of new and incremental revenue, and develop long-term strategic goals.

  • Manager, Split Second 

    Alex Levine is a manager at Split Second, where she works at the intersection of artist management, partnerships, and business development across the company’s roster, helping connect creative, commercial, and live opportunities across an artist’s business. This focus began at WME, where Alex worked within the agency’s non-touring division, developing opportunities for music clients beyond traditional touring. She began her career in music at UC Santa Barbara,  booking and producing the university’s live music programming.

12:25 - 1:05 – AGENT VS. PROMOTER

Behind every successful tour is a constant negotiation between vision, business, and risk. In this conversation, leading agents and promoters break down how deals are really made in 2026, from routing and guarantees to ticket pricing, venue holds, and marketing expectations. The panel will explore where their interests align, where they clash, and how both sides work together to build successful live shows in an increasingly competitive market. Attendees will also gain insight into what artists need to understand before going on tour, and how emerging talent can start building relationships on both sides of the live business.

Speakers – MORE TO COME!

  • Music Agent, Creative Arts Agency (CAA)

    Based in Toronto, Ben Buchanan is a Music Agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency.  Representing a diverse roster of talent that includes Charli XCX, Hilary Duff, Lizzy McAlpine, Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, Megadeth, Gorillaz as well as some of Canada’s premier talent; City and Colour, Alexisonfire, Metric, Peach Pit, Billy Talent, July Talk and Japandroids.

    Ben Buchanan began his career with Paquin Entertainment in Toronto before moving to the Windish Agency in 2009, later joining CAA in 2015.

  • Promoter, AEG Concerts

    Elliott Lefko is a longtime concert promoter with experience in both Canada and the US. He currently works for AEG Concerts where he promotes artists such as Nick Cave and Ethel Cain. Mr Lefko started at House Of Blues Concerts where he booked many shows at The Molson Amphitheatre

  • Agent, Paquin Artists Agency

    More to come!

1:10 - 1:50 – The New Touring Map: Breaking Artists Domestically and Internationally

As touring continues to evolve, breaking an artist today requires more than just hitting major cities. From regional fan-building and strategic support slots to international festival circuits and data-driven routing, this panel explores how artists develop sustainable touring careers across domestic and global markets. Industry leaders will discuss what it takes to build demand in new territories, navigate rising costs and visa challenges, identify the right markets at the right time, and turn touring into a long-term growth strategy for emerging and developing artists.

Speakers

  • National Editor, Billboard Canada

    More to come!

  • Co-President, Paquin Artists Agency

    More to come!

  • Booking Agent, One Fiinix

    Zac has been an agent for over 16 years and has worked with artists in pretty much all genres, currently his roster is more in the Country / Americana / Folk world, but he also represents Indie & Rock artists too. In the past Zac worked at DMF Music for 7 years where he also saw how his then boss booked a 15,000 capacity festival and Runway Artists for 3 years where he was able to help out acts with touring and festival bookings in over 30 countries! He also sits on PRS for Music funding panels twice a year and has also worked doing Artist Liaison on the John Peel [now called Woodies] stage at Glastonbury Festival.

    Since Nov 2025 Zac has been working for Jon Ollier’s “One Fiinix Live” and currently represents the following artists – Aysanabee / Begonia / Big Sleep / Fanny Lumsden/ Fun Lovin Criminals / First Time Flyers / John Smith / Kezia Gill / Mia Kelly / Punk Rock Factory / Republica / Tender / The Bros Landreth / Trampolene / The Wellermen and Young Knives amongst others.

Saturday, June 13

THE ARTIST & RECORDED BUSINESS
Artists • Labels • A&R • Publishing • Marketing • Digital & Brands

9:00 - 10:00 AM - Registration & Networking Breakfast

10:00 - 10:10 - Opening Remarks

10:10 - 10:50 – How Artists Get Signed: Inside the A&R Process

A&R executives are the gatekeepers between emerging talent and major opportunities, but what actually makes an artist stand out in 2026? This panel brings together leading A&Rs to break down how they discover talent, what catches their attention, and the qualities artists need beyond just great music. From streaming data and social engagement to live performance, consistency, vision, and cultural impact, panelists will share how signing decisions are really made in today’s music industry.

Speakers – MORE TO COME!

  • Director, A&R, Universal Music Canada

    Kwaku Agyemang is helping reshape how talent is discovered, developed, and elevated in today’s music industry. As Director, A&R at Universal Music Canada, his work sits at the intersection of artist development, emerging sounds, and cultural storytelling — with a focus on identifying movements early and helping Canadian artists build careers, records, and cultural impact that resonate far beyond their local scenes.

    Known for his instinctive ear and culture-first approach to A&R, Kwaku has built a reputation for recognizing momentum before it fully materializes. Blending data-driven insight with a deep understanding of audience behavior and music culture in real time, he approaches artist development as both strategy and storytelling — connecting artists, producers, songwriters, and creative teams to help shape records and creative visions that feel authentic, current, and built for longevity.

    Over the past several years, he has contributed to the growth and development of emerging and established Canadian talent across Hip-Hop and R&B, supporting releases, collaborations, and long-term artist development strategies that continue to push Canadian music onto the global stage. Grounded in the belief that culture moves before the industry catches up, Kwaku represents a modern A&R perspective rooted as much in community and connection as it is in charts and analytics.

  • Music Director, Monstercat

    Jacob Henry is the Music Director of Monstercat, a renowned independent electronic label whose catalog spans a wide range of electronic subgenres. Founded in 2011, the label is widely known for its cultural impact in bass music, supported by a prolific release schedule and a global festival presence including Tomorrowland, Rampage, Amsterdam Dance Event, Miami Music Week, and more. Monstercat also helped popularize the “Crab Rave” cultural meme through Noisestorm's hit of the same name. The label has released chart-topping records by Marshmello, Vicetone, Kaskade, and more, collectively generating billions of streams worldwide.

    Jacob previously owned and directed Silk Music (2008–2020), a label specializing in emotive and melodic electronic music. In July 2020, Monstercat acquired Silk Music, and in February 2021 it relaunched as Monstercat Silk, joining Monstercat Instinct and Monstercat Uncaged as one of the company’s three principal imprints. Jacob continues to curate and manage Silk alongside longtime A&R collaborator Max Flyant, with a focus on melodic and chill-oriented house music.Throughout his career, Jacob has signed and developed a variety of acclaimed electronic artists, including Shingo Nakamura, Marsh, and A.M.R, all of whom released their debut albums on Silk. He also developed and released album projects with The Midnight, the world's leading synthwave act, and BT, a Grammy-nominated artist whose accolades include scoring The Fast and the Furious. As Monstercat’s Music Director, Jacob oversees the label’s release pipeline across its imprints, helping shape a catalog that reflects both Monstercat’s core musical identity and its continued reputation as an electronic music tastemaker.

  • Director, Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Canada

    As Director, Creative A&R for Sony Music Publishing Canada, Mishelle Pack has been a fierce advocate and champion for SMP songwriters including Dax, Tommy Paxton-Beesley (River Tiber), Forest Blakk, Alex Sampson and producer/songwriters 254bodi, Demy & Clipz and Intense. Additionally Pack, alongside SVP David Quilico, recently achieved new signings with award-winning songwriters including AP Dhillon, Shinda Kahlon, Aqyila, Jade LeMac, Donovan Woods, Chani Nattan, Gurinder Gill, John Mavro, Adam Klobi, Lucian Gray, Labcook, 80purppp and more.  Many of these artists and songwriters have achieved remarkable success, earning Grammy, JUNO, CCMA, and SOCAN Awards, multiple Platinum sales certifications, and billions of streams. Mishelle also supports the careers of celebrated Canadian creators including Lights, Billy Talent, Valley, Fefe Dobson, Mother Mother, Peach Pit, Joel Stouffer, Anjulie, Liz Rodrigues and many more while also supporting Sony Publishing’s global creators and repertoire in Canada.  Beyond her work at Sony Music Publishing, Mishelle is deeply committed to mentorship and industry development.  She is actively involved with Music Publisher Canada’s Women In The Studio National Accelerator Program and supports Girl Connected, where she was Lead Mentor of their Artist Development stream twice. Additionally, she recently served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and is acting Co-Chair of the Music Advisory Committee for the JUNO Awards (Rock Album of the Year). She has been recognized in Billboard Canada’s Women in Music issue alongside other influential industry executives. 

10:55 - 11:35 – From Submission to Spotlight: Navigating the JUNO Awards

Ever wondered what it actually takes to become a JUNO nominee or take home a statuette?

In this session, we’ll break down the full journey from an artist’s perspective, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the JUNO Awards work and how a nomination impacts an artist's career. From submitting your music to navigating the nomination and voting process, to what happens during JUNO Week, this panel demystifies Canada’s most prestigious music awards.

Led by Liz Morgante, Director of Academy Operations at CARAS (The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences), part of the team behind the JUNO Awards, this conversation will explore how the organization supports and celebrates Canadian artists year-round while unpacking what recognition really means in today’s music landscape. Joining the conversation is JUNO Winner Aysanabee, who will share firsthand insights into his journey through the JUNO Awards.

Whether you're emerging or established, this is your roadmap to understanding the process and making it work for you.

Speakers

  • JUNO Award-Winning Artist

    Aysanabee (Ace-in-abbey) is an Oji-Cree, four-time JUNO award-winning indie alternative artist from the Sucker Clan of Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community in Northwestern Ontario. He is widely known for his powerful, story-driven performances and songs, including the radio hits “Nomads”, “Somebody Else”, “Gone Baby Gone,” and “Home”.  He made history in 2024 as the first Indigenous artist to win the JUNO Award for Alternative Album of the Year and the coveted Songwriter of the Year, and is the first Indigenous artist to reach No.1 on the Canadian Alternative Rock chart. In just a few years, Aysanabee has released four albums and performed more than 400 shows across the globe. 

  • Director of Academy Operations, Canadian Academy of Recorded Arts and Sciences

    As Director of Academy Operations at the Canadian Academy of Recorded Arts and Sciences, Liz Morgante oversees the national award strategy for The JUNO Awards and The Canadian Music Hall of Fame, shaping how Canadian music and the industry are celebrated, recognized, and remembered. 2025 marked her 10th anniversary with CARAS. A decade of driving artist advocacy, cultural relevance, and strategic growth at a national level. From developing new award categories to amplifying underrepresented voices, Liz has worked to build a music industry that reflects and elevates the full spectrum of Canadian talent.

11:40 - 12:20 – Where’s My Money? Navigating International Royalties

In partnership with CMRRA

As music becomes more global than ever, collecting royalties across borders has become increasingly complex. From neighbouring rights and performance royalties to publishing splits, digital payouts, and territory-specific regulations, artists and rights holders are often left wondering where their money actually goes, and how to make sure they’re getting paid properly. This panel brings together experts across publishing, PROs, distribution, and royalty administration to unpack the realities of international royalty collection in 2026. Attendees will gain practical insight into common payment gaps, metadata mistakes, collection societies, global licensing, and the tools artists, managers, and songwriters can use to maximize and track revenue worldwide.

MODERATOR

  • Creative Executive of Black Music, SOCAN

    Raised in a musically rich family in Toronto, LordQuest was immersed in music from an early age, developing his sound through songwriting and collaborations with local artists.

    A Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter, Quest has built a diverse discography spanning hip-hop, R&B, and pop, working with artists such as 2 Chainz, Kelly Rowland, Juice WRLD, ScHoolboy Q, SiR, Isaiah Rashad, Joyner Lucas, Dom Kennedy, and more.

    Known for his keen ear for melody and ability to shape records that amplify an artist’s identity, he is widely respected for helping artists grow creatively and reach their full potential.

    Quest currently serves as Creative Executive of Black Music at SOCAN, where he continues to champion artist development and push culture forward. His blend of creative excellence, industry insight, and genuine commitment to artists makes him a powerful partner for those looking to elevate their careers.

Speakers

  • CEO, Music Publishers Canada

    Margaret McGuffin is the CEO of Music Publishers Canada. Margaret’s career has focused on research and policy development, and she has worked with a large number of music industry trade and collective management organizations. She currently sits on the Board of Canada’s Theatre Museum, the External Advisory Board of York and Queen's Universities (Canada).

    Connected Minds Program, the Advisory Committee at MusiCounts, and is Chair of the Policy Committee of the Ontario Nonprofit Network. She previously was the Chair of the Board at Work In Culture.

    Margaret is also always happy to talk to you about how music publishers are leading the way in making sure Canadian songs are heard around the world. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Western University and an MBA in Arts, Media and Entertainment Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

  • Founder, Blawk

    Daniel Gonzalez is a music executive, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor operating at the intersection of music, technology, finance, and culture. Known for bridging creative vision with business execution, Daniel has built a career helping artists, creators, and entertainment companies scale globally while protecting and maximizing the value of their intellectual property.

    Daniel is the Founder of Blawk, an AI-powered platform designed to empower artists, producers, songwriters, and creatives to better understand the value of their intellectual property. Blawk focuses on modernizing music rights intelligence, underwriting, and catalog analytics, helping creatives make more informed business decisions around ownership, monetization, and long-term wealth creation.

    He is also the Managing Partner of DGL Ventures, a global business management and advisory firm that works with some of the most influential names in entertainment and creator culture. Through DGL Ventures, Daniel and his team provide strategic advisory, business management, operational support, financial oversight, capital strategy, and growth infrastructure for artists, executives, and media companies.

    DGL Ventures has worked alongside globally recognized talent and industry leaders including Sickick, Tory Lanez, Mauricio Ruiz, and EP The Latino, among others across the music, media, and entertainment landscape.

    Previously, Daniel served as CFO of NEON16, where he played a key role in financial strategy, operations, and business development across the company’s music, media, and entertainment divisions. His experience spans artist management, music rights, entertainment finance, business operations, and emerging technology, giving him a unique perspective on the evolving creator economy.

    Daniel is passionate about building infrastructure that gives creatives more ownership, clarity, and leverage in an increasingly complex entertainment industry.

  • President, CMRRA & SX Works

    Paul Shaver is a music industry professional with over 30 years of diverse experience across the publishing, recorded music and data services sectors. As President of CMRRA and SX Works, he leads both organizations to ensure that music publishers and self-published songwriters have access to reliable licensing and administration data, securing accurate and fair compensation for the use of musical works across the industry. CMRRA’s and SX Works’ integrated systems leverage over 70 years of combined musical works and sound recording data, including SoundExchange’s authoritative ISRC information, to provide comprehensive administration solutions. These solutions empower organizations that own, represent, or engage with music to effectively manage their repertoire across the music ecosystem. Shaver’s career includes senior roles at Nielsen Entertainment, Universal Music Group, EMI Music, and Virgin Records. He also served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), and board member of The Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC). In recognition of his influence in the industry and at CMRRA, Paul was named to the Billboard Canada Power Players list in 2024.

  • VP of People & Client Experiences, Sub Management Group

    Zara Abbasi is a seasoned music industry professional with experience in management, record labels, and publishing. Her expertise lies in rights and royalties. She is dedicated to navigating this complex landscape to ensure that artists, producers, writers, and all rights holders are compensated fairly. Currently, Zara is the VP of People & Client Experience at Sub Management Group, where the Rights Management Division administers rights globally, prioritizing transparency and autonomy to empower artists in managing their creative pursuits and maximizing revenue.

12:25 - 1:05 – Worldwide Strategy: Managing Artists for Long-Term Global Success

As the music industry becomes increasingly borderless, artist managers are taking on a larger role in shaping sustainable, globally-minded careers. This panel explores how managers in 2026 are helping artists move beyond viral moments to build long-term success through strategic development, international touring, branding, fan engagement, partnerships, and market expansion. Industry leaders will discuss the realities of managing artists across multiple territories, navigating cultural and business differences, balancing short-term visibility with career longevity, and creating global strategies in an industry driven by algorithms, trends, and nonstop content demands.

Speakers

  • President, Management Division, Awesome Productions& Management Inc.

    Jermayne Clayton is President, Management Division of Awesome Productions& Management Inc. and Principal/Head of A&R at Sincerely Yours. His roster includes Juno Award-winning artist/songwriter Dylan Sinclair, Two-time Polaris Prize shortlisted DijahSB, and multi-platinum producers including Jordon Manswell (Mariah Carey), Bryan Allen (Bryson Tiller), Babyfat (Daniel Caesar), and Aaron Manswell (Mariah The Scientist). Clayton has spent over a decade building careers alongside artists, not just for them. That approach extends beyond his companies. As Vice-Chair of Music Managers Forum Canada and FACTOR board member, Clayton brings entrepreneurial and artist-first perspectives to funding decisions and industry standards. He serves as a resource for emerging managers navigating deal structure, career strategy, and building their own operations. His work is rooted in the belief that when we support one another, a high tide raises all boats. The goal isn’t just successful artists; it’s creating a generation of great managers, executives, and independent companies.

    The partnership model is proving it scales. Sincerely Yours Canada has been operating for a year, London just launched, and the thesis remains consistent: partnerships that empower artists and their communities to own what they create.

  • Artist Manager, MICO

    Alexander Stojanovic is a music professional with 7+ years of experience in music production, artist management, and A&R. Alex began his career as a producer under the alias “rare,” accumulating millions of streams and signing a deal with Intercord Records (formerly Virgin Records).

    After taking a brief hiatus from production, Alex transitioned to the industry side, joining Sony Canada as an A&R intern. During this time, he began working independently with developing local acts and eventually started managing MICO in 2022. Shortly after, Alex partnered with Rob Woe at Prototype, bringing in Ethan Low and Lyle Kam, whom they have been working with since 2023.

    Since transitioning into artist management, Alex has directly contributed to several artist-defining projects, including MICO’s Internet Hometown Hero EP, featuring hits like “senses” and “HOMESICK.” The project has amassed over 50 million streams and supported dozens of sold-out shows across the globe, ultimately helping MICO secure a record deal with Columbia Records in 2025.

    Alex also worked on Ethan Low’s sophomore project what’s that supposed to mean, featuring standout tracks like “bkdmv” and “can’t get enough,” as well as Lyle Kam’s breakthrough EPs re:collections and a possible solution, which include songs like “all we do is talk” and “satellite,” each garnering millions of streams.

  • Founder and President, Starfish Entertainment

    Susan de Cartier is the founder and president of Starfish Entertainment, an independent music and artist development company based in Toronto. Since founding Starfish in 1995, she has built a roster of internationally acclaimed, award-winning talent, including multi-platinum-selling artists Blue Rodeo and Jim Cuddy, JUNO Award winners The Sadies and Skydiggers, and Gemini Award-winning singer-songwriter Suzie Ungerleider. Beyond artist management, Starfish also operates The Woodshed, a state-of-the-art recording studio in the heart of Toronto. A respected leader in the Canadian music industry, Susan was inducted into the Music Managers Honour Roll and was named a 2025 Power Player by The Hollywood Reporter. She currently serves on the board of the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), is a founding director of the Music Managers Forum Canada, and previously spent ten years on the board of Ontario Creates.

1:10 - 1:50 – No Borders: Global Release Strategy in 2026

In partnership with Believe

A hit record can break anywhere first in 2026, and the smartest release strategies are built with the world in mind from day one. This panel explores how artists, labels, distributors, marketers, and managers are planning global rollouts across streaming, social media, touring, influencer campaigns, and localized content to maximize international impact. From choosing focus markets and timing releases to navigating cultural trends, platform algorithms, and cross border collaborations, panelists will break down what it really takes to launch music on a global scale today. Attendees will also gain insight into how independent artists can build international audiences without major label infrastructure.

Speakers

  • Managing Director, Americas, Believe

    Currently Managing Director, Americas of Believe, one of the world's leading digital music companies, and a Women in Music honoree, Alejandra Olea has become a force to be reckoned with in the Latin music ecosystem, being one of the rare women running regional operations for a global music company. Throughout her career, Olea has been committed to putting Latin American creativity on the global map. As such, before joining Believe in 2020, Olea was the General Manager for Stingray Music, the largest independent media company in Canada where she oversaw all operations and management of the Latin American region, bringing growth and brand equity for the company. She was also the Vice President of Integrated Sales at BBC Worldwide Latin America & US Hispanic, responsible for channel distribution, program and format sales. Prior to that, Olea held posts at DIRECTV Latin America as a Regional Director, as well as management positions in sales at Sony Pictures Television Latin America and Tepuy/Telumundo International. She has also consulted for Deezer and Naim Media. Olea graduated from the School of Foreign Services at Georgetown University. In 2019, she returned to academia to focus on a specialization on data analytics, graduating from the Harvard Business Analytics Program (HBAP) before joining Believe.

  • Head - US & Canada, TuneCore

    Nicki Shamel serves as Head of TuneCore, US & Canada where she is responsible for managing the company’s talented artist roster and championing the TuneCore suite of products and services that support independent artists, including TuneCore Accelerator, TuneCore’s Advanced Trends and Analytics, and more. She also oversees a team of employees dedicated to artist acquisition, growth and development strategy throughout the United States, and plays a key role in aligning TuneCore’s Artist Success and DSP Partnerships teams to better serve the company’s artists.

    Prior to joining TuneCore, Shamel served as Senior Vice President at AWAL, where she built and expanded the Global Commercial Partnerships team, spearheading the company’s digital strategy across major DSPs including Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and other key global platforms. In this role, she drove high-impact global partnerships and helped shape AWAL’s positioning in the streaming ecosystem and elevated the careers of Laufey, Jungle, and Little Simz, among others.

    Shamel joined AWAL following seven years at Sony Music, serving in international marketing and sales roles. She began her career in digital marketing at Primary Wave Music, and holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Music and Advertising & Public Relations from Loyola University Chicago."

1:55 - 2:35 – Independent artist path to global markets, presented by CAAMA

How do you plan an international tour from data? How can you use digital media  to amplify an artist’s career across borders?  This unique conversation unpacks the real mechanics — streaming signals, audience geography, platform strategy”, and the live touring decisions that follow — with a Quebec artist who has done it, and the professionals who made it happen. Jonathan Roy is a bilingual Quebec singer-songwriter with 784 million combined streams and views, a sold-out European run in early 2026, and growing market traction across South America and the UK. He is not a major-label story — he is an independent export success story, built through strategic positioning, bilingual reach, and smart international booking relationships. 

Speakers

  • Artist

    Jonathan Roy is a Canadian born solo artist who is taking the world by storm with his contemplative anthems.

    Captivating audiences worldwide, his unique sound has amassed over 750 million streams/ views  globally, each track resonating with themes of love, hope, and profound connection to the world around him.
    “Every song is a journey inward,” Jonathan says. “I want people to feel like they’re not just listening, but living these stories with me.”

    Praised for his live performances, Jonathan’s shows are where his music truly ignites. Backed by his powerful band, Jonathan’s on-stage energy transforms venues into sanctuaries of storytelling and soul. His recent album, Symphony Of Doubts, produced by the renowned Connor Seidel, captures this magic. Filled with honest lyrics, soaring melodies, and a vulnerability that’s both raw and empowering, it has redefined his sound and expanded his fanbase.

     Jonathan is represented by Paul Jessop, PJME Inc

  • Artist Management, PJME Inc. (Artist Management)

    Paul Jessop is a highly experienced professional in the music and entertainment industry.  Paul manages Jonathan Roy and  serves as a Music and Entertainment Consultant and Management at PJME. Previously, Paul held significant roles at Universal Music Group including Vice President of Promotions at Universal Music Canada and Director of A and R for the Province of Quebec. Additionally, he was Vice President of Promotions at Universal Island Def Jam under Universal Music Group.

    Paul Jessop's expertise spans promotions, artist and repertoire (A and R), and overall music industry management. His extensive background in various leadership positions has equipped him with a deep understanding of the music business landscape. Through his roles, he has demonstrated a strong passion for driving promotional strategies and nurturing talent within the industry.

    With a proven track record in promoting and managing music artists, Paul Jessop's contributions to the music and entertainment sector have been invaluable. His diverse experience working with renowned record labels showcases his versatility and ability to excel in dynamic environments. Paul's tenure at Universal Music Group highlights his strategic approach to promotions and A and R, essential for fostering artist development and industry success.

  • Independent Global Touring and Consulting Event Management & Concert Promotion, Ginzburg Live

    Michael Ginzburg is a veteran booking agent, talent buyer, and live entertainment consultant, specializing in international touring strategy and bespoke talent solutions for corporate and private events. 

    In his role as Project Manager International Touring at Semmel Concerts, one of Europe’s leading live entertainment promoters and producers and part of CTS Eventim, Ginzburg was responsible for international touring and market development of strategic projects such as The World of Hans Zimmer, as well as IP-driven touring exhibitions including Disney: The Exhibition and Marvel: The Exhibition. 

    Prior to this, he served as Head of Live Events at Universal Music Group, where he oversaw international booking and live event activities across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and key global markets. In this capacity, he booked international talent for concert promoters, festivals and major global events, such as Formula 1 Grand Prix and FIFA World Cup. 

    Over the course of his career, Ginzburg has worked with a wide range of internationally acclaimed artists across genres, including Anastacia, Carla Bruni, Buena Vista Social Club, Enrique Iglesias, Il Divo, Jamie Cullum, Joss Stone, Leona Lewis, Level 42, Marc Broussard, Mark Farner, Oscar Benton, Paul Oakenfold, Pussycat Dolls, Rag'n'Bone Man, Seal, Shakira, Timbaland, Zaz, among many others. 

The NXNE NEXT LEVEL Panels are taking place at:

TIFF Lightbox Theatre.

350 King Street West

Toronto, ON M5V 1J5