A full day of talks, discussions, case studies and insights on music and the creator economy on Friday 12 May 2023
The basics…
CMU and The Great Escape put the spotlight on the wider creator economy.
We’ll dissect and discuss the growing number of tools, platforms and market-places being used by creators of music to write, record and iterate music, to facilitate collaborations, and to generate new income from their creative expertise. And we’ll look at what being part of the creator economy can mean for musicians – as both creators and consumers.
Plus, we’ll review the digital tools and platforms that help frontline artists – and other creators in and beyond music – to grow their fanbases and monetise the fan relationship.
THE SCHEDULE…
10.00-10.30 THE ARTIST BUSINESS IN 2023: THE CREATOR ECOSYSTEM
More than 200 million people define themselves as creators – and they power a creator economy that’s worth more than $100 billion. However, a minority of those creators make a full-time living, with the majority generating small amounts of money or creating content driven by passion rather than income.
Tapping into the latest stats and trends, CMU presents a guide to help you navigate and understand the creator economy, taking a look at the platforms, tools and innovations that are driving growth and engagement.
We will then look at what this means for music – for artists, songwriters and other music-makers. What platforms and tools are enabling musical creation and driving new music revenues – and what lessons can the music industry learn from the booming creator landscape?
10.30-11.30 CREATION, COLLABORATION, PLATFORMS & MARKETPLACES
A wide range of digital tools, platforms and marketplaces are changing the way we make music, and are bringing together artists, songwriters, producers and other music-makers from around the world, enabling collaborative music-making at a whole new level.
What does the creation/collaboration landscape look like in 2023 and how might it evolve in the future?
We look at how music-makers are using cutting edge tools to streamline their creative processes, build their businesses and generate new revenues – and, in particular, how songwriters, producers and beatmakers can identify and secure collaborations and opportunities that allow them to build successful careers.
With input from expert guests and insight from their case studies, we’ll examine how artists are using platforms to create, what the deals powering the collaboration/creation space look like, and how an increasing number of music-makers are building successful “behind the scenes” careers.
11.45-12.15 BEATS, SAMPLES & STEMS: CREATOR RIGHTS & REVENUES
We take a deep dive into musical creation marketplaces where beats, samples and stems are bought and sold, looking at all the revenues, rights and innovations.
We’ll consider what happens when artists collaborate online – what legal and copyright questions are raised when buying or selling beats, samples and stems – and how this thorny issue can become even more complex when collaborations are drawing on multiple elements sourced from numerous countries.
We ask the experts what music-makers and their business partners need to consider when they are buying and selling musical elements in digital marketplaces – or making music that utilises beats, stems and samples produced by other creators online.
12.15-12.45 MUSIC & CREATOR TECHNOLOGY
New technologies continue to make it easier to compose, produce, record and release music, while new digital platforms are changing the ways people consume and interact with the music that is released.
We look at the challenges and opportunities presented by these innovations – and in particular how generative AI is opening an entirely new debate around music, creation and copyright.
Artists, managers and legal experts weigh in, helping identify what this might mean for the future of music-making and how the music business can rise to the challenge.
Before and after lunch, join us for two keynote in conversations.
14.30-15.30 BEYOND THE BEAT: WHAT THE MUSIC BUSINESS CAN LEARN FROM OTHER CREATOR INDUSTRIES
Music creation is just one part of the creator economy – there are obviously many more creators growing audiences and making and monetising content that has nothing to do with music.
We look at how these creators are generating income and nurturing relationships with fans and other audiences – and we identify the revenue streams and commercial opportunities underpinning the business of creation.
We’ll review monetisation strategies in detail, looking at ad income, brand partnerships, advertorial, product placement, merch, tips, donations, subscriptions and premium content. What can the music industry learn from what is happening elsewhere?
Plus how is the music industry embracing the tactics and trends of online creators and influencers to find, engage, inspire, interact and connect with new audiences. What does this mean in practical terms – and what content is required beyond music?
15.45-16.30 CREATING MAGIC: THE NEW FAN RELATIONSHIP
The rapid evolution of consumption and new digital platforms has created huge opportunities for artists to connect with new audiences, nurture relationships with fans, and develop new revenue streams.
Ten years ago the “direct to fan” business was focused on direct sales of physical discs, merchandise and tickets. Today, the business model offers a wider range of products, services and opportunities that artists and creators can use to offer fans unique content and experiences.
We look at the platforms and products that are driving next generation growth, the data they generate, and how first party data gives artists and creators power to innovate.
16.30-17.00 THE FAN RELATIONSHIP: A DEEP DIVE
We wrap up the day with three rapid fire case studies looking at how music-makers and other creators are generating new revenues from their fans and other audiences. We focus in on strategies and techniques that artists, creators and their teams can learn from and apply, whatever level they are operating at.
THE LOGISTICS…
MUSIC+CREATOR ECONOMY takes place on Friday 12 May 2023 at the Leonardo Royal Waterfront Hotel in Brighton and is open to anyone with a TGE delegate or conference pass.