Pippa Ryan-Kidd

Working both internationally and locally in artist management, music distribution, retail and publicity. Having worked in the corporate field in Product Buying, Sales & Management, Project Planning, Negotiation, Contracts and Employee Management. Chair of Independent Music New Zealand.

Pippa can mentor on Management, Touring, Branding, Record Labels, Strategy, Merchandise, Publicity, Publishing, A&R, Production, Radio, Digital

Oliver Kraemer

Oliver Kraemer was born and raised in Germany, where he completed a BA in Music Business at the University of Popular Music and Music Business, Mannheim and an MA in Art and Media Management at HfMT Hamburg. He took his first steps in the music industry at MTV Germany, working in the Talent and Music department, before managing weekly live events and assisting with the management of German powerhouse Beatsteaks in Berlin.

Oliver immigrated to Aotearoa in 2009 and began working with local artists, supporting Solomon Crook with his early releases and helping Alien Weaponry develop their international touring career. He later co-founded Tenfold Records, where he manages and releases music from a diverse range of Aotearoa-based artists, including WHO SHOT SCOTT, PONZ, REPAIR, Wet Bandits, Joe Cole and many more.

Oliver can mentor on Management, Touring, Branding, Record Labels, Strategy, Merchandise, and A&R

Pennie Black

Pennie Black is the Director of Concord Music Publishing in Aotearoa and works with a diverse roster of local songwriters, including Sir Dave Dobbyn, Don McGlashan, Marlon Williams, Gin Wigmore, Tom Scott, Haz Beats, Liz Stokes (The Beths), Reb Fountain, Vera Ellen, Jess B, and many more. Her role primarily encompasses A&R, Writer Relations and Sync Licensing.

Concord is the world’s leading independent music company. The Company supports more than 125,000 artists and songwriters whose works are licensed, marketed, and performed globally. Concord's growing catalogue of over 1.5 million songs, compositions, sound recordings, films, plays, and musicals is one of the most impactful and culturally relevant collections of creative rights in history.

Concord is headquartered in Nashville with additional offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Berlin, Melbourne, and Miami.

Before joining Concord ANZ, Pennie was Operations and Programme Director at 95bFM, New Zealand’s largest independent student radio station, where she remains a weekly show host. Her career spans radio programming, management, publicity, and event coordination. She is also the Secretary for Independent Music New Zealand (INMZ) and a board advisor for 95bFM.

Pennie can offer mentoring in Music Publishing, A&R, Sync Licensing, Student Radio and general music industry advice.

Joost Langeveld

Joost is co-director of Bigpop - a resourceful ‘umbrella’ company assisting creatives realise their artistic dreams and aspirations, and providing viable pathways to enable artists to share their art with the world. Bigpop’s activities include A&R, music publishing, label services, music production and operating music/sound recording studio facilities.

Artists affiliated with the Bigpop extended whānau include CHAII, Isla Noon, TîMMY the First, Neil Macleod, Jujulipps, Abraham Kunin, Carawei Gao and Kings amongst others.

Joost’s history is varied and encompasses most facets of the music industry. Whether as a musician, composer, producer, A&R, collaborator and/or music industry entrepreneur he has been (and still is) a partner to a wide range of local and global facing projects.

Chris Close

Chris is a talented drummer, tour promoter, and artist manager based in Ōtautahi who has developed a reputation for his exceptional ability to nurture and elevate fellow musicians. Initially starting out playing in local Christchurch bands, Chris quickly took on the dreaded admin roles of organising gigs andreleases for his bands. What started as a side-hustle has now turned into a considerable career.

As well as running his label Winegum Records alongside his wife Sarena (Mousey), Chris now provides management and tour booking services to other local artists such as Pickle Darling and Pretty Stooked, among others.

Chris is a passionate advocate for the Ōtautahi music scene, his unwavering work ethic and dedication to the Ōtautahi music scene make him a respected advocate and invaluable asset to the music industry and the artists he works with.

Chris can mentor on: Management / Touring / Branding / Record Labels / Publishing / Publicity / A&R / Production /Strategy / Merchandise / Radio / Digital / Other....