Career Development Series #1 – Your Online Presence

March 3nd, 2012, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Tom Lee Music Hall, Tom Lee Music (929 Granville St.)

:: YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE – IS IT WORKING FOR YOU? ::

These days everyone knows the importance of an online presence, but not everyone understands the correct approach to best utilize its potential. We will dig into specifics on how to maximize the effectiveness of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and also examine the different opportunities to monetize within those platforms. Our marketing strategists will also look at how branding is shifting in a digital world, and how artists can effectively translate their music into an online presence.

We will also do live reviews of attendee’s websites. To be considered please include your web links (all/any) in your RSVP!

Send name, membership number and website URL’s (if interested)
to: rsvp@musicbc.org
Free for members, $25 general public

Panelists

Hisham Dahud (famehouse)

Hisham Dahud began his career in the music industry as a performing and recording drummer looking to educate himself on the music business. While attending classes at San Francisco State University’s Music and Recording Industry (MRI) program, Hisham met Fame House founder Michael Fiebach who was then working exclusively as DJ Shadow’s Project, Marketing, and Merchandise Manager.

Upon completing a semester-long internship with Michael and DJ Shadow, Hisham continued to explore the music business by interning with the digital distribution firm IRIS Distribution and by writing articles for Hypebot.com, a leading music industry news and technology blog.

Today, Hisham reunites with Fiebach as Project Manager and head of Business Development for Fame House and continues to write articles for Hypebot as a contributing staff writer. He’s slated to graduate San Francisco State University in 2012 with a B.S. in Marketing and certificate in Music Industry Business. Tweet @HishamDahud

Brian Thompson (ThornyBleeder)

Brian is a self-proclaimed “Music marketing geek, artist manager, strategist, consultant, speaker, blogger, nerdy web dude…”. He is the founder of Thorny Bleeder-a record label, music blog, and artist development community. His company provides free & legal mp3′s, music news, industry commentary, marketing tips, and DIY advice for musicians.

A musician himself, Brian has battled it out in the industry for years, starting as a shelf stocker in local record stores and writing music reviews. He worked up to a senior buying position in reputable Canadian music chain A+B Sound until it’s untimely demise.

Brian made the transition from traditional “brick and mortar” music sales to a co-manager of successful metal band Art of Dying. Shortly after he started Thorny Bleeder Records. Today, His goal is to find the best unsigned, independent artists and help deliver their music to the world. A stand-out player in the Vancouver industry and abroad, Brian is at the forefront of music and social media development. Tweet @thornybleeder

Richard Bailey (Frontside)

Richard spent the early part of his career working in music as both an agent and college radio promoter. While completing his BBA and advanced diploma in marketing at Capilano University he began consulting for the odd small business which later led to the creation of his own company, Storyboard Marketing and Integrated Design. In early 2011 he joined the Frontside team as a brand manager with a focus on all things online. His goal is to create and provide sound online strategies that connect businesses & artists directly to their customers & fans.

Tweet @rich_bailey

Darren Yada (Rethink)

Darren is a digital strategist at Rethink — one of Canada’s top-ranked and most awarded advertising agencies. It has been twice named Agency of the Year by Strategy Magazine and currently counts Molson Canadian, Bell, A&W, Mr.Lube, Coast Capital Savings and BCAA among its clients. In his role, Darren has helped advise some of Canada’s biggest brands on how to strategically use digital properties to achieve their business objectives.
Previously, Darren was the Director of Digital Strategy at the Nettwerk Music Group — overseeing the online presence of Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan, the Barenaked Ladies and the Lilith Fair Music Festival. Midway through his 6 years at Nettwerk, Darren took a one year leave to join YYOGA as their first employee and help start what is now one of Canada’s most successful yoga studio operators. Darren has a double major in Marketing and Finance from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. Tweet @yads

Lana Gay (CBC Music) – Moderator

Lana Gay is a host on CBC Radio 3. Her show ‘Lanarama’ is simulcast on Sirius 86 and CBCRadio3.com Monday to Friday from 2-5pm PT. She is fixated on independent Canadian music and enjoys blogging about oddities.

Lana is proud to hail from Leamington, Ontario, where she was raised on Motown music and Hungarian food (an underrated combo, really).

She won the ‘Most Likely to Save the World’ award in high school, and knows the value of a cold beer, an old record and a sassy pair of boots. Once, she tried to chase a rainbow and ended up in Blenheim, Ontario. Tweet at @lanagay

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s private radio broadcasters.