NSW Managers Roundtable 2023
Funded by Create NSW
January - April 2023
About
Designed to assist early-mid career managers build skills and expand their knowledge of the contemporary music landscape, the AAM’s 2023 NSW Managers Roundtable incorporates group activities & discussion, networking and peer-to-peer learning, specific to the field of artist management and unique to the needs of participants’ artist rosters.
The program will bring together 5 selected early-mid career NSW artist managers with 5 established NSW managers for an intensive, in-person 5-hour workshop on Tuesday February 21 at APRA AMCOS in Sydney/Eora. This will be followed by 2 x one-on-one 1 hour mentoring sessions, whereby each early-mid career manager participant will be paired with an established manager mentor. The 2 sessions will take place over 2 months - in-person or virtually - as pairs prefer.
Prior to the workshop day and mentoring sessions, AAM Chair and workshop facilitator Greg Carey (Grow Yourself Up, Ripple Effect) will also connect with each participant for a 20 min preliminary chat/Zoom. This will act as an opportunity for participants to share where they're currently at in their careers, what they’re seeking from the roundtable. These chats will help inform topics and conversations for the roundtable workshopping day.
The AAM will set up a closed Facebook Group for program participants, where they’ll have the opportunity to stay connected and share resources throughout the program.
At the end of the 2 month mentoring period, all participants and mentors will be invited to join a short virtual Closing Group Session, where they’ll have the opportunity to report back on any progress / outcomes, revisit any topics / ideas discussed on the original workshop day, and provide feedback on their experience in the program. Participating mentors and mentees will be asked to complete a short feedback survey upon completion of the program.
The Association of Artist Manager’s 2023 NSW Managers Roundtable is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
2023 Mentors
JESS KEELEY
Jess Keeley has been working in the music industry for the past 20 years. After gaining experience in publicity and record label marketing Jess made the decision in 2010 to relocate to London, taking a position as International Marketing Manager with Warner Music. After working on campaigns through Europe and the US her close relationships with artists lead to the natural progression of artist management. Leaving Warner in 2011 to manage her first client, Lykke Li, Jess partnered with Scott Rodger (Quest/Maverick) and has been managing the international careers of award winning songwriters and musicians ever since. Jess has been instrumental in the management of developing artists, established names and absolute icons including Shania Twain, MARINA and Arcade Fire. Her international industry experience in London and LA has given Jess an extensive knowledge of developing and maintaining a global career. She has recently returned to Sydney to launch her management company Music She Wrote, a company focused on building sustainable international careers for Australian talent - with a roster including Jaguar Jonze, Isabella Manfredi and Clea. She is also currently acting General Manager of the iconic Australian record label, Dew Process.
ANDREW JACKSON
Andrew is an artist manager and record label executive with over 23 years' experience in the music industry. With his clients he has led the music industry with climate and social good initiatives, including the first ever 'carbon positive' tour as certified by the United Nations, the first ever carbon drawdown tour in partnership with CHOOOSE, and raised funds for not-for-profits such as The Climate Reality Project, American Red Cross and F*ck Cancer. He is the Director of Milton Archer - an artist management company that represents Norwegian streaming giant Matoma, GRAMMY-nominated New Zealand musician BAYNK, #1 ARIA-charting Australian singer/songwriter Meg Mac. He is also the Founder/Director of new record label Avoca Drive, in joint venture partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Australia.
Jackson recently produced the acclaimed feature documentary 'Matoma: One In A Million', reaching #1 on the iTunes Documentary charts. He has been invited to speak at SXSW in Austin TX, Billboard Live Music Summit Los Angeles CA, EMC in Sydney and Music Matters in Mumbai.
Earlier in his career, he co-created releases that have sold over 2.5 million records in Australia in his time as A&R and General Manager for the Ministry of Sound business, and signed acts like Mylo, The Knife, Two Door Cinema Club and PNAU to his boutique imprint etcetc Music, through Universal Music Australia.
ANDREW STONE
Andrew Stone is CEO and co-founder of Chugg Music, an award-winning management company, record label and music publishing organisation. Alongside Michael Chugg, he is the manager of Australian artists, Lime Cordiale, Sheppard, Mia Rodriguez, Mason Watts, Casey Barnes, Teenage Dads and New Zealand artist, Avalanche City. Andrew is also co-founder of City Pop Records.
Chugg Music/City Pop artists have received multiple #1 album and #1 single certifications, as well as Gold and Platinum sales in over 25 countries and over 2 billion streams.
DAN ZILBER
Dan was the founding Music Director at FBi Radio in Sydney; programming music, interviews, events and music related content on air and online. He was also Program Director at MTV in Australia/New Zealand and most recently held the position of Artist Manager and A&R at Future Classic, guiding the career of G Flip and being part of the team representing Flume, Touch Sensitive and others. Dan also has experience consulting to record labels, festivals, music conferences and programming for synch
VYVIENNE ABLA
Vyvienne Abla has been working in the music and creative industries for 18 years locally and across the globe. 2007 she founded Vyva Entertainment, using HipHop and music culture to empower others, with a focus on integrating industry, education and community to create unique pathways for youth, artists and professionals. 2015, she launched 4ESydney, the only festival and conference here of its kind, specialising in HipHop culture and multi-artform, interdisciplinary practice. For the community, by the community, 4ESydney, continues to gradually build a global infrastructure and platform for HipHop in so-called Australia. Over the years Vyv’s work has gained international attention, being invited to speak in NZ, USA, UK, Europe and Middle East as a result of her initiatives and work in Western Sydney and across the nation more broadly.
Program Dates
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Thursday 1 December, 2022
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: Wednesday 18 January, 2023
Applicants notified of outcome: Wednesday 1 February
Preliminary 20-min chats: Between Monday 6 February - Friday 17 February
ROUNDTABLE WORKSHOP DAY: Tuesday 21 February: 10:45am - 4pm
Mentoring Period: Wednesday 22 February - Friday 21 April
Virtual Closing Group Workshop: Tuesday 2 May (11am - 12pm)
Who Can Apply
2023 Eligibility Criteria
5 applicants will be selected to participate in the 2023 NSW Managers Roundtable. To be eligible for this program:
Applicants must reside in NSW
Applicants must be a current paid member of The Association of Artist Managers Australia (AAM)
Applicants must be able to get themselves to and from the in-person roundtable workshop day (Feb 21), and participate in all program activities
This program is suitable for applicants with up to 5 years experience working as an artist manager (however anyone who feels this opportunity is suitable to their current career level is encouraged to apply.)
Applications have now closed for this program.