MMF Aotearoa Announces Elevate 2024 Professional Development Workshop for Music Managers

! APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED !

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa (MMF), with the invaluable support of NZ On Air, is excited to announce the launch of Elevate 2024, a two-day in-person Professional Development Workshop specifically designed for mid-career music managers and self-managing career artists in Aotearoa. This transformative event offers managers the opportunity to enhance their skills, knowledge, and industry connections, fostering growth and sustainability in the Aotearoa music sector.

Held across Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th November at Big Fan, Tāmaki Makaurau, Elevate will bring together industry experts to share career insights and key strategies for succeeding in the fast-evolving world of music management.

Participants will dive into sessions covering:

●        The business of music management

●        Contracts and negotiations

●        Shifting technology landscapes

●        Developing and growing artist careers

●        Q&A sessions with industry veterans

●        Evening networking mixer

“The MMF Aotearoa is thrilled to launch Elevate, our first professional development workshop for Music Managers. Music Managers play a crucial role in shaping and supporting the careers of our artists, and investing in their development is key to supporting the growth and sustainability of our sector. We are hugely grateful to NZ On Air for their support.”
Cushla Aston, Chairperson MMF Aotearoa

Open to current members of the MMF by application, the workshop will not only provide participants with vital knowledge and skills, but will also foster connections with other managers and industry leaders through dedicated networking opportunities. This two-day experience will be complemented by a series of online follow-up sessions, ensuring ongoing support for participants after the event.

ELEVATE 2024
Tuesday 12 November – Wednesday 13 November
10am - 6pm (with evening mixer following on Tuesday)
Big Fan, 25 McDonald Street, Morningside, Tāmaki Makaurau

Elevate 2024 programme is open to all current members of MMF Aotearoa. The application process will consider each applicant's management experience, current career activity, and how they plan to utilise the Elevate programme to further their professional development. Applicants must also be available to attend both days.

MMF Aotearoa is offering three out-of-town grants to assist with travel and accommodation costs for participants located outside of the event’s host city. Successful recipients of these grants will have their flights and accommodation covered. Participants can find more information and indicate interest in these grants during the application process.

Applications open on Monday 16th September 2024 and must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 30th September 2024. To apply, visit the MMF Aotearoa website and complete the application form. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your career in music management with hands-on learning, expert guidance, and ongoing support.

ELEVATE 2024
Tuesday 12 November – Wednesday 13 November
10am - 6pm (with evening mixer following on Tuesday)
Big Fan, 25 McDonald Street, Morningside, Tāmaki Makaurau

Key Dates:

Monday 16 September: Applications open

Monday 30 September: Applications close (5pm)

Week of October 3: Applicants will be notified of the outcome

Tuesday 12 November – Wednesday 13 November: Elevate 2024 workshop

Elevate 2024 is open to MMF members only. 
For any pātai, or to join MMF Aotearoa please visit www.mmf.co.nz or email lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz

Back to Basics Auckland coming to Big Fan

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, with support from Recorded Music New Zealand, New Zealand Music Commission and NZ On Air, is proud to present the free Back to Basics seminar in Tāmaki Makaurau on Tuesday 10 September 2024.  

Aimed at all who are in the early stages of artist management, including self-managed artists, this seminar explores the fundamentals and inner workings of the music industry. Topics will cover planning a release, artist development and the business of music.

Lorraine Barry (Manager Sir Dave Dobbyn, Avantdale Bowling Club, Aaradhna, Aidan Fine, Home Brew, Rizvan) hosts the seminar and will be joined by Matt Harvey (Manager Shapeshifter, Kora, Jon Toogood, Nick Dow, Flaxxies). They will present and share their indispensable knowledge and answer questions from attendees.

Back to Basics Seminar Auckland   
When:  Tuesday 10 September 2024
Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Venue: Big Fan, 25 McDonald Street, Morningside, Auckland

Lorraine Barry began working with Sir Dave Dobbyn 20 years ago. Avantdale Bowling Club, Aidan Fine, Home Brew, Rizvan and Aaradhna complete her current roster.

She’s a keen mentor for the MMF Aotearoa, particularly around release planning. 

In her former life at Virgin Records in London she was global Marketing Manager for acts including Ice T, Spice Girls, Massive Attack, Neneh Cherry, Placebo and The Verve before leading the International department.

Matt Harvey first became known alongside Evan Short as part of the drum and bass duo Concord Dawn. The award-winning, boundary-pushing act released music on the world’s leading d&b labels, with tracks featuring in DJ sets around the globe.

After 20 years of touring global drum and bass hotspots, including a 10-year stint living in Vienna, Matt moved back to Auckland in 2016 with his young family in tow. He quickly transitioned from being a self-managed artist to managing local artists through his company Southeast. His roster includes Shapeshifter, Kora, Jon Toogood and upcoming young talents Nick Dow and Flaxxies.

FREE ENTRY to all (come armed with your questions!). RSVP to admin@mmf.co.nz is essential.
Email here to secure your seat.

Music Managers Forum Aotearoa is the collective voice for music managers and self-managed artists, both signed and independent. The MMF Aotearoa is an independent, non-profit trade association dedicated to helping grow artist manager businesses through education, networking and advocacy.
The MMF Aotearoa work towards a fairer, honest and more transparent music industry which operates with the highest of integrity in the interests of the artists our members represent.  We aim to represent the wide diversity of voices and backgrounds of music managers and their artists.

Recorded Music NZ® represents recording artists and right holders in Aotearoa through licensing, advocacy and promotion.  Recorded Music collects broadcast and public performance income from music users and distributes it to right holders and recording artists, advocates to government and others on behalf of recording artists and right holders and promotes artists and recorded music through initiatives such as the Aotearoa Music Awards.
Recorded Music NZ also operates The Official NZ Music Charts® and data analysis services and supports the wider music community through collaborations and its music grant programme. 

The New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa is a government funded organisation that promotes music from New Zealand and supports the growth of New Zealand music businesses – both culturally and economically, at home and abroad. The hub of NZ Music Month, the Music Commission also deliver contemporary music programmes in schools, including the Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme; provides music upskilling tools and resources; and runs the international market development & trade show programme Outward Sound.

NZ On Air is an independent government funding agency that funds the recording and promotion of single songs and multi-song projects that reflect Aotearoa New Zealand and have the potential to reach both significant broadcast and online audiences. We do this by funding artists and musicians to professionally record and create content that resonates and engages with audiences. Alongside New Music Single and New Music Project funding streams, NZ On Air Music also offers Waiata Takitahi, New Music Pasifika, New Music Pan-Asian and New Music Kids focused funding rounds.

BACK TO BASICS SEMINAR Wellington & Christchurch

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, with support from Recorded Music New Zealand, New Zealand Music Commission and NZ On Air, is proud to present the free Back to Basics seminar in Wellington on Tuesday 27 August, and in Christchurch on Wednesday 28 August 2024. 

Aimed at all who are in the early stages of artist management, including self-managed artists, this seminar explores the fundamentals and inner workings of the music industry. Topics will cover planning a release, artist development and the business of music.

Lorraine Barry (Manager Sir Dave Dobbyn, Avantdale Bowling Club, Aaradhna, Aidan Fine, Home Brew, Rizvan) hosts the seminar and will be joined in Wellington by Bonnie Allen (Manager Casual Healing, Will McClean, REID, Averie and Mikeyy) and in Christchurch by Carey Caldwell (Manager of ASHY). They will present and share their indispensable knowledge and answer questions from attendees.

Back to Basics Seminar Wellington   

When: Tuesday 27 August 2024
Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Venue: Room 1D08, School of Music & Creative Media Production, 
Massey University, Block 1, Entrance C, Wallace Street Mt Cook

Back to Basics Seminar Christchurch   

When:  Wednesday 28 August 2024
Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Venue:  The Chamber @The Piano, Centre for Music & the Arts
 156 Armagh St, Christchurch

Lorraine Barry began working with Sir Dave Dobbyn 20 years ago. Avantdale Bowling Club, Aidan Fine, Home Brew, Rizvan and Aaradhna complete her current roster.

She’s a keen mentor for the MMF Aotearoa, particularly around release planning. 

In her former life at Virgin Records in London she was global Marketing Manager for acts including Ice T, Spice Girls, Massive Attack, Neneh Cherry, Placebo and The Verve before leading the International department.

Wellington-based Bonnie Allen manages the also Pōneke-based Casual Healing, Will McClean, REID, Averie and Tāmaki Makaurau-based Mikeyy. She is the director of House of Bonnie, which started as the "home to her projects" and has since blossomed into an events, promotions and artist management company. As a jack-of-all-trades, Bonnie has worked in various capacities within the industry, both on and off stage, as well as project management, creative producing, social media management, merchandising, security management, and as an artist liaison. 

Cary Caldwell manages Christchurch-based NZ/Indian pop artist, ASHY. 

He is also a director with the 212 Music Group, a company that provides logistics for international festivals including SXSW, SXSW Sydney, Glastonbury, The Great Escape, Clockenflap and many others.

FREE ENTRY to all (come armed with your questions!).
RSVP to admin@mmf.co.nz is essential.
Email here to secure your seat for Wellington.
Email here to secure your seat for Christchurch.

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Music Managers Forum Aotearoa is the collective voice for music managers and self-managed artists, both signed and independent. The MMF Aotearoa is an independent, non-profit trade association dedicated to helping grow artist manager businesses through education, networking and advocacy.
The MMF Aotearoa work towards a fairer, honest and more transparent music industry which operates with the highest of integrity in the interests of the artists our members represent.  We aim to represent the wide diversity of voices and backgrounds of music managers and their artists.

Recorded Music NZ® represents recording artists and right holders in Aotearoa through licensing, advocacy and promotion.  Recorded Music collects broadcast and public performance income from music users and distributes it to right holders and recording artists, advocates to government and others on behalf of recording artists and right holders and promotes artists and recorded music through initiatives such as the Aotearoa Music Awards.
Recorded Music NZ also operates The Official NZ Music Charts® and data analysis services and supports the wider music community through collaborations and its music grant programme. 

The New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa is a government funded organisation that promotes music from New Zealand and supports the growth of New Zealand music businesses – both culturally and economically, at home and abroad. The hub of NZ Music Month, the Music Commission also deliver contemporary music programmes in schools, including the Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme; provides music upskilling tools and resources; and runs the international market development & trade show programme Outward Sound.

NZ On Air is an independent government funding agency that funds the recording and promotion of single songs and multi-song projects that reflect Aotearoa New Zealand and have the potential to reach both significant broadcast and online audiences. We do this by funding artists and musicians to professionally record and create content that resonates and engages with audiences. Alongside New Music Single and New Music Project funding streams, NZ On Air Music also offers Waiata Takitahi, New Music Pasifika, New Music Pan-Asian and New Music Kids focused funding rounds.

MMF MEMBERS ONLY ONLINE SESSION: MASTERING THE ART OF PITCHING

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa are pleased to announce their May Members Online Seminar is with Gavin Downie and Cuillin Hearty.

Join us for an engaging online seminar where we bring together Music in Parks Booker, Gavin Downie,  and an Emerging Manager, Cuillin Hearty for an insightful discussion on mastering the art of pitching to Bookers and Promoters. 

Our panelists will delve into the intricacies of effective communication, crafting compelling pitches, and building meaningful relationships in the industry. Whether you're an artist looking to navigate the booking process or a manager seeking to refine your approach, this seminar is for you

Gavin Downie has held the role of Event organiser for Auckland Councils Music in Parks for 6 years booking over 360 acts in those years . In his freelance work he has been production manager on the huge Waitangi Waititi event in west Auckland. Toured with everyone from Wiz Khalifa to the Cranberries across the globe and checked off  hundreds and hundreds  of locals tours, festivals  shows.He  also fits in time to run a business as a media composer selling tracks worldwide since 2020

Cuillin Hearty, originally from the UK but now firmly rooted in New Zealand for nearly a decade, is a jack-of-all-trades in the music industry. With experience as an artist manager, booking agent, and event organiser. Cuillin’s journey began in Queenstown, before making the move to Auckland in 2023 to continue their career in music & events. Currently, Cuillin is managing Wellington-based artist Sofia Machray and handling bookings for several independent acts across New Zealand. Passionate and driven, Cuillin is dedicated to the Aotearoa music scene.

MMF AOTEAROA  MEMBERS ONLY SESSION

MASTERING THE ART OF PITCHING

Date: Monday 6 May 2024

Time: 6pm – 7pm

RSVP: For MMF members only. RSVP to Rachel admin@mmf.co.nz. 
Spaces are limited so RSVP is essential.

Due to the limited places please note if you RSVP and then fail to attend the session without notifying us, unfortunately you will not be eligible for future sessions

MMF Aotearoa Festival Bookers Virtual Speed Networking

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

The Music Managers Forum (MMF) Aotearoa is excited to announce that applications are now open for their annual Festival Bookers Speed Networking Sessions, which will take place on Wednesday 8th and Wednesday 15th May from 6pm - 8pm.

This unique event gives MMF members the opportunity to meet virtually with an outstanding line-up of bookers from some of the best music festivals in Aotearoa.  The event is designed to facilitate the booking of artists into festivals, as well as receive first hand advice on how to get their artists booked onto festival line ups.

For 2024 the Virtual Speed Networking Sessions will be held over 2 nights, giving more MMF members the chance to take part. The sessions will be held on line on Wednesday 8th May and Wednesday 15th May. 

Applications for the Festival Bookers Virtual Speed Networking sessions are open to MMF members only from today, Wednesday 3rd April, with a limited number of spots available. Applicants will be asked to provide a brief biography musical styles of their artist/s, links to their music and past live performances, as well as their preferred festival targets.  

Applications close on Wednesday 10th April, with successful applicants notified by Monday 22nd April.

Please note that because it is a contestable application process, applying does not guarantee participation in the event.

The Festival Bookers Speed Networking sessions are just one of the events and initiatives that the MMF Aotearoa runs to support the music industry of Aotearoa. To learn more about the MMF Aotearoa and its work, or to join, visit their website at www.mmf.co.nz.

FESTIVAL BOOKERS
VIRTUAL SPEED NETWORKING SESSIONS 2024
(MMF MEMBERS ONLY)

Wednesday 8th May & Wednesday 15th May
6pm - 8pm each night

Bookers from the below festivals will be meeting with MMF members

• CubaDupa (Wellington)

• Craft Beer & Food Festival (Dunedin) / Otago Orientation (Otago)

• Electric Avenue/ Nostalgia / South Island Wine & Food (Chch) / Great Kiwi Beer Fest (ChCh)

• Laneway (Auckland)

• Music in Parks (Auckland only)

• Newtown Festival (Wellington)

• Northern Bass (Kaiwaka)

• Northland Fritter Festival (Whangarei)

• Rhythm & Alps (Wanaka)

• Rhythm & Vines  (Gisborne)

• Soundsplash (Raglan) 

• TSB Festival of Lights (New Plymouth)

• Tora Bombora (Wairarapa)

• WOMAD (New Plymouth)

• White Out Festival / Hidden Lakes (ChCh)

The event is open to MMF members only. 
To join please visit www.mmf.co.nz or email lorraine.owen@mmf.co.nz

Applications are open from today, Wednesday 3rd of April 2024, and will close 5pm on Wednesday 10th April, or until all slots are taken. 

BACK TO BASICS SEMINAR WHANGĀREI – IT’S YOUR TURN!

Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, with support from Recorded Music New Zealand, New Zealand Music Commission and NZ On Air, is proud to announce our Back to Basics seminar is travelling to Whangārei for the first time! The seminar will take place at Distinction Whangārei Hotel, on Tuesday 12 March 2024.   

Aimed at all who are in the early stages of artist management, including self-managed artists, this seminar explores the fundamentals and inner workings of the music industry. Topics will cover planning a release, artist development and the business of music.

Lorraine Barry (manager of Sir Dave Dobbyn, Avantdale Bowling Club, Aaradhna, Aidan

Fine, Home Brew, Rizvan) will be joined by Craig Pearce (manager of The Black Seeds, The Phoenix Foundation, Reb Fountain, Moniker). They will present and share their indispensable knowledge, and answer questions from attendees.

Back to Basics Seminar Whangārei  

When: Tuesday 12 March 2024

Time:  6.00pm - 7.30pm
Venue: Distinction Whangārei Hotel, Hātea Room, 9 Riverside Drive

Lorraine Barry began working with Sir Dave Dobbyn 19 years ago. Avantdale Bowling Club, Aidan Fine, Home Brew, Rizvan and Aaradhna complete her current roster.

She’s a keen mentor for the MMF Aotearoa and sits on the Board of the Music Commission. 

In her former life at Virgin Records in London she was International Marketing Manager for acts including Ice T, Spice Girls, Massive Attack, Neneh Cherry, Placebo and The Verve before taking on the role of running the International Department.
Craig Pearce is the manager for The Black Seeds, The Phoenix Foundation, Reb Fountain and Moniker.
He has represented the above and other acts such as Lord Echo, Lawrence Arabia and Connan Mockasin since 2006; in the process releasing dozens LPs and EPs in all territories across the world. In the live realm he has ticked off everything from Glastonbury to Splendour In The Grass, Roskilde in Denmark and everything in between. He also has an extensive list of international and domestic tours under his belt, which span Europe, the US, Canada, the Pacific, Australia and NZ.
On top of being a self-confessed spreadsheet geek, Craig loves nothing more than budgeting, accounting and “finding” royalties.

FREE ENTRY to all (come armed with your questions!). RSVP to admin@mmf.co.nz is essential.
Email here to secure your seat.

NEW DATE! MMF MEMBERS ONLY SESSION: WRITING WAIATA REO MĀORI

Join the MMF Aotearoa for an insightful online seminar learning about the process of writing and releasing waiata in te reo Māori. 

In this session you will discover artist Rebel Reids unique journey writing in te reo Māori as a learner, gain insights into writing in te reo from Mātanga Reo Ruth Smith, and explore funding opportunities for creating waiata reo Māori with Te Māngai Pāho's Nadia Marsh.

Rebel Reid was born to be a rockstar, and it's no surprise considering her mother named her after two of the greatest icons of the genre: Billy Idol and David Bowie. From the moment she entered the world, Rebel's destiny was set in stone.

Growing up, Rebel was surrounded by music. It was in her blood, passed down from generations of talented musicians before her. But it wasn't until she picked up a guitar that everything clicked. From that moment on, she knew that music was her calling.

With every riff she plays and every lyric she sings, Rebel channels the energy and spirit of her namesakes, bringing their rebellious, edgy attitude to the forefront of her own sound. And it's not just her talent that sets her apart; it's her dedication, her drive, her passion for the music that she was born to make.

It's no exaggeration to say that Rebel's mother birthed a rockstar. From the day she was born to the moment she steps on stage, Rebel embodies everything that makes rock and roll great: the attitude, the passion, the raw energy that can't be replicated.

Rebel Reid is a force to be reckoned with, a true rockstar who was born to share her gift with the world. And with every note she plays, she proves that she's living up to the legacy of the icons who inspired her name.
Ruth Smith hails from the East Coast but was nurtured by her grandfather’s tribe of Ngāti Kōhuru, Te Aitanga-ā-Mahaki. She holds a bachelor’s degree in te reo Māori with first class honours from EIT. She is a graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Māori and is an experienced translator with a Te Toi Reo Māori licence. She has worked as a lecturer at Toihoukura: School of Māori Visual Arts, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Awanuiārangi. She has also worked as a broadcaster, presenter and commentator for Māori Television and Māori radio. She is a seasoned kapa haka performer and servant to her people. She is passionate about te reo Māori me ōna tikanga and strives to work to advance the language through teaching, translation, television work and consultancy. Ruth currently works as translator and interpreter for the House at New Zealand Parliament in Wellington.
Nadia Marsh is the Mātanga Puoro for Te Māngai Pāho. She leads the music content strategy for the agency, drawing on 25 years of commercial radio programming and media experience to elevate the status of te reo Māori through music.

MMF AOTEAROA NOVEMBER MEMBERS ONLY SESSION

WRITING WAIATA REO MĀORI

Date: Wednesday 8 November 2023

Time: 6pm – 7pm

RSVP: For MMF members only. RSVP to Rachel admin@mmf.co.nz. 
Spaces are limited so RSVP is essential.

Due to the limited places please note if you RSVP and then fail to attend the session without notifying us, unfortunately you will not be eligible for future sessions

August Members Online Seminar : Sync & Music Licensing 101

The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa are pleased to announce their August Members Online Seminar is with Amine Ramer and Tim Bern

SYNC & MUSIC LICENSING 101

Join us for a fundamental online seminar led by music supervisor Amine Ramer, from States of Sound and seasoned licensing expert Tim Bern, from Disco.

Immerse yourself in the wealth of knowledge Amine Ramer and Tim Bern offer as they demystify the world of music licensing and synchronization. Gain valuable insights to advance your career.

Tim Bern is the Head of Education at DISCO a music and media industry platform for catalog management, discovery, and promotion.

Tim launched DISCO in Los Angeles in 2016. He has trained thousands of professionals across the industry, from studios (Apple, Netflix, Disney, Paramount, NBC, ABC, Viacom), to labels and publishers (Universal, Warner, Sony, BMG, Kobalt, Concord, Mushroom, Beggars, Secretly, Sub Pop, Roc Nation), managers (Red Light, Crush, IE, ATC), sync agents (Terrorbird, Bankrobber, Zync, Sugaroo, Riptide,) radio pluggers (Planetary, Hart Media, Your Army, The Syndicate), and music supervisors (Full Pursuit, Neophonic, Format, Hit the ground running, States of Sound) etc.

Tim’s experience has provided him with a wealth of practical knowledge from the frontlines of the industry that he loves to pass on. He recently launched DISCO's new education hub The School of DISCO which features a wide range of articles, video courses, live online classes.

Aside from DISCO, Tim is a partner at LA/Nashville based publisher & sync agency Koze Music, repping around 20,000 tracks.

In a previous life, Tim was a professional jazz musician, artist manager, Brooklyn restaurant owner, and music supervisor. 

Amine Ramer is the founder of State of Sound. As a music supervisor and consultant, Amine Ramer has influenced the sound and mood of feature films, documentaries and award-winning television series for over a decade.  Ramer’s success can be attributed to her careful selection of significant artists, ranging from the unknown to the popular, and her keen sensibility to create a visceral experience by connecting sight with sound.

Credits include Crip Camp (academy award nominated), Flint Town, Jay & Silent Bob Reboot, Baby Done, The Rhythm Section, Weeds, The Signal, The November Man, Faking it, Richard Pryor – Omit the Logic, The Lovers and The Despot, For A Good Time, Call... 
Amine is a Board Member of GMS (Guild of Music Supervisors) and her current projects include: Shantaram (apple TV) SIS (Sky).
She has also been a panelist/speaker at many conferences and festivals including The Great Escape, M for Montreal UK Trade & Investment Sync Mission, Music & Media Finland Billboard Film & TV Conference, SXSW and many more.

MMF AOTEAROA AUGUST MEMBERS ONLY SESSION

WITH TIM BERN & AMINE RAMER

Date: Tuesday 29 August

Time: 6pm – 7pm

RSVP: For MMF members only. RSVP to Rachel admin@mmf.co.nz.  Spaces are limited so RSVP is essential.

Due to the limited places please note if you RSVP and then fail to attend the session without notifying us, unfortunately you will not be eligible for future sessions