Warrant Of Fitness Seminars Announced

PRESS RELEASE

Warrant Of Fitness Seminars Announced

The NZ Music Industry Commission is very pleased to announce this year's Warrant Of Fitness seminars. Taking place in Auckland, Wellington, and for the first time, Christchurch, the free seminars feature a lineup of music industry experts from abroad, including two internationally over-achieving expat New Zealanders. Our speakers will be discussing issues about what makes an act internationally 'roadworthy', examining skills and attributes that are critical to offshore success, and discussing techniques and strategies to maximise your chances abroad.

These seminars will be of use to anyone involved in planning offshore music activities - especially those applying to the NZMIC's Outward Sound scheme - and also to those wanting to know more about pathways to success working within the music industry. Subjects covered in the WOF seminars include professionalism, differences between various international territories, developing and maintaining international contacts, servicing of music to media and industry, and how best to win converts to your music.

Our speakers will also be sharing personal experiences from their time in the music industry, and due to their high caliber you can expect these insights to be a unique opportunity to learn firsthand from some successful and talented individuals. Our speakers include:

Amine Ramer - Music supervisor with a strong background in licensing for film, television and soundtrack albums. An expat Kiwi, Amine works out of the US with the company States Of Sound, where her credits include the TV shows Weeds, Six Feet Under, and MTV Road Rules. Amine's work ranges from popular TV episodics to dramatic feature films to serious political documentaries - her ability to bring cutting edge music to her projects is her trademark.

Anna Jacobson-Leong - An artist manager, rock festival talent buyer, and concert promoter, Anna is one of four managers at Esther Creative Group (ECG), in New York City, whose client roster includes the likes of Against Me!, Lou Reed, New Zealand's own Die! Die! Die!, Rickie Lee Jones, and Le Tigre. Outside of ECG, she also manages Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar) and Richard Morel (legendary DJ/producer/remixer).

Bruce Kirkland - Another expat Kiwi, Bruce is President and founder of Tsunami Entertainment, a company active in music marketing and media, artist and producer management, product and brand management, and strategic marketing and business development. Clients include The Dandy Warhols, Ozomatli, NBC Enterprises, Sony Music, Fox, Playboy and high profile artist brands including Bon Jovi, The Beatles, and Bee Gees. Bruce also served as President/CEO of EMI-Capitol Entertainment Properties, and President of the seminal Mute Records label.

Huw Stephens - Huw presents OneMusic on BBC Radio 1, broadcast every Tuesday throughout the UK. The show focuses on the finest new music and unpredictable emerging talent. The best unsigned music of the week is played, alongside the cream of new releases, and weekly sessions recorded at the BBC's world famous Maida Vale studios. Huw also presents shows on BBC Radio Cymru, and also writes, and DJs at events such as the main stage at the Reading Festival and The Big Chill.

Sean Adams - Sean Adams founded the Drowned in Sound website in 2000, inspired by the rapidly emerging DIY-influenced music scene at the time, the rise of the internet and the demise of Melody Maker. The site has grown to be a multi-faceted web community with a record label, a critically-acclaimed podcast, influential club nights and lots more, all synonymous with breaking new and interesting independent music to a global audience. The DiS record label launched the careers of Kaiser Chiefs and Martha Wainwright, and has just launched a Digital Singles Club.

An additional speaker will be announced shortly thanks to NZ On Air's Phase Five programme. NZ On Air have already provided plenty of assistance in making this event possible, and we will let you know more about the sixth guest as soon as we can.

Dates and venues for the seminars are below. While the sessions are free, we recommend booking your seat by emailing wof@nzmusic.org.nz. More details, including the full programme, will be available shortly on our website.

WOF Schedule:

AUCKLAND - Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 November
Toi o Tamaki Auditorium, Auckland Art Gallery
10.30AM - 4.30PM (3x Sessions Daily)

WELLINGTON - Friday 24 November
Wellington City Art Gallery
10.30AM - 4.30PM (3x Sessions Daily)

CHRISTCHURCH - Saturday 25 November
CPIT Jazz School
10.30AM - 4.30PM (3x Sessions Daily)

ENDS

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