Fenella Stratton

Fenella Stratton is an artist manager and events professional based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She founded Twice The Hype in 2013, building it into a respected artist management and booking agency representing some of the country’s most in-demand acts, including Lee Mvtthews, Hollie Smith, and Sin & Brook.

Fenella has worked in the New Zealand music industry since 2003 and is an executive member of MMF Aotearoa, contributing to the growth and support of local music managers and emerging talent.

Fenella has extensive touring experience throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as internationally — having toured with artists from the Twice The Hype roster across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia.

She also plays a key role behind the scenes at major festivals — serving as Operations Manager for Northern Bass and working as part of the operations team at Splore Festival — where she brings deep expertise in logistics, artist relations, and event production.

Fenella can mentor on Artist Management, Release Strategy, Bookings / Tours / Negotiation, and Event Management.

Cushla Aston

Cushla Aston (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao, Pākehā) is an artist manager, educator, mentor, and creative strategist with more than 15 years’ experience in Aotearoa’s music industry.

Founder of Aston Rd and current manager of Louis Baker, Cushla has worked alongside artists including Fat Freddy’s Drop, Trinity Roots, Julia Deans, Tama Waipara, Estère, Lord Echo, Brockaflower, and Cornerstone Roots. Her expertise spans artist management, release strategy, touring, marketing, funding, and long-term career development.

Alongside her management work, Cushla teaches Artist Development at Massey University’s School of Music and Creative Media Production. She has extensive mentoring experience, supporting artists independently, through MMF Aotearoa mentoring programmes, and previously mentoring Te Māngai Pāho-funded artists through the planning and delivery of their release campaigns.

Cushla has also contributed to the wider sector through leadership and governance roles, previously serving as Chair of MMF Aotearoa, a long-serving Executive Committee member, and a Board Member of Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ). Her wider experience includes producing for arts festivals, designing professional development initiatives, and facilitating workshops that support artists and the creative sector.

As a mentor, Cushla brings strategic insight, practical industry knowledge, and a strong commitment to helping artists gain clarity, make informed decisions, and build sustainable careers on their own terms. She is passionate about demystifying the music industry and helping artists develop the knowledge, confidence, and business skills.

Katie Thompson

Katie Thompson is a self-managed New Zealand alt-country artist and founder of Quirky Music, with more than 15 years' experience navigating the music industry as both an artist and music marketer.

Throughout her career, Katie has opened for artists including Sir Elton John and Don McLean, travelled to Vienna to collaborate with artists from around the world through Global Rockstar, and was a finalist for Best Country Artist in 2020 and Best Country Song in both 2020 and 2024.

Through Quirky Music, Katie works with independent artists on artist development, release strategy, social media and digital marketing. She has worked on digital marketing campaigns for artists including Jenny Mitchell, Delaney Davidson, The Warratahs, Kylie Price and Greta O'Leary, helping artists develop practical campaigns that connect their music with the right audience.

Drawing on her experience from both sides of the industry, Katie is passionate about helping artists build sustainable careers and better understand how to release and market their music.

Katie can mentor on Artist Development, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Release Plans, Social Media Management and General Music Industry Advice.

Nicky Harrop

Nicky’s career has spanned multiple facets of Aotearoa’s music community, and seen her work closely with a wide range of artists, labels, live events, industry bodies and culture change initiatives.

She is a Director and Owner of physical music distributor Collective Distribution, Co-founder and Trustee of SoundCheck Aotearoa, and currently holds the Independent Director position on the board of Recorded Music New Zealand.

Nicky’s background in music labels has seen her hold senior roles in marketing, label management, artist development and publicity.  She developed the music industry major for Massey University’s Bachelor Of Commercial Music, and has consulted as a researcher and developer for a number of local music-based screen projects.

Nicky can mentor on: Record Labels, Distribution, Release Strategy, Artist Development, Marketing  and Publicity.