The New Bosses 2013

New Bosses 2013 18

Top (L to R): Roel Coppen, Dani Simmonett, Carlo Scarampi, Zach Desmond, Sebastian Solano.

Bottom (L to R): Peter Green, Sarah Thomas, Danielle Buckley, Greg Walsh, Zeon Richards.

Competition for this year’s New Bosses shortlist has been fiercer than ever before with dozens of nominees put forward by ILMC alumni as potential candidates for the ten exceptional young individuals in the industry that we should all be keeping our eyes on.

This year marks the sixth annual New Bosses feature in IQ and if you took the time to nominate someone who has impressed you through their approach to business, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you both on my behalf and whoever you nominated. And if your chosen party did not make this year’s shortlist, never fear – as long as they are still aged 30 or under next year, then they’ll have another bite of the cherry.

Thanks also should be extended to the 50 previous New Bosses, many of whom were refreshingly willing to nominate some of their rivals for recognition. That we’re-all-in-it-together attitude among the younger generation will surely be of great benefit to the industry going forward.

As you will see, our ten contenders come from diverse backgrounds – agents, promoters, venue operators, artist managers, festival organisers and sponsorship experts – and from around the world including Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Each nominee is now in the running for the accolade of Tomorrow’s New Boss which will be awarded at the Arthur Awards ceremony during ILMC 26 in March 2014 (voting for which will get under way on the ILMC website in December).

So, if you’re looking for innovative new people to do business with, then hopefully our ten rising stars will prove inspirational.

Gordon Masson, editor, IQ Magazine Roel Coppen (Netherlands) Co-founder – Friendly Fire

Age: 30

Coppen was one of the founders of Friendly Fire five years ago and he currently leads the booking and events division within the company. Coppen is responsible for all event line-ups. As well as working on new festival, Best Kept Secret, he also represents a roster of Dutch acts and promotes international artists such as Lana Del Rey, Alt-J, Temples, The 1975, Frank Turner and A$AP Rocky, among others.

How did you find yourself working in this business?

I started out in 2006 as an intern for Lowlands festival, which was my first serious step into the business. I used to have a student job at Utrecht venue, Tivoli, manning the box office and doing some PR on the side, but the internship and the assistant job I got following that convinced me that this was what I wanted to do. I met my partners in Friendly Fire a year later and, in 2009, we started the company. The rest is history.

How is the market evolving in the Netherlands?

Like in other territories, artists can shoot sky-high on their first album, but it’s often difficult to maintain that status or even build further on a second album. Punters tend to move on quickly, so as a promoter or agent you have to keep up with this and always have a long-term strategy in mind, more than ever, working together with all parties involved.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

For me, it’s still the thrill of the moment when the house lights go down and a band walks on stage.

That, and being able to travel places to see live music and not be in a 9 to 5 business.

And what’s top of Roel’s achievements list?

That’d be the inaugural edition of Best Kept Secret, last June. We’ve had the idea for many years and to see it work so well and with so much support, that made me very proud.

November 2013 IQ Magazine

The New Bosses Age: 25

Dani Simmonett (UK) Agent – The Agency Group

Simmonett joined Mission Control Artist Agency in 2004, aged just 15. After four years, she left with MD Gary Howard to help establish Marshall Arts Talent. By this point she was booking a host of new pop, urban and dance acts. In 2010, she moved to The Agency Group, again with Howard, to set-up a new pop division.

How did you first get into the business?

A friend of mine won a competition to meet Blazin’ Squad. Around the same time we‘d been instructed by our school to arrange work experience, so we harassed two important looking guys, who turned out to be the band’s agent and manager. In our two weeks of work experience, bands were always popping in, we went to shows and everyone in the office was great. I realised this was the company and industry, for me.

How is the role of an agent changing?

We definitely have to think outside the box now and look for different opportunities for our artists. We are very much part of artist planning meetings, whereas in the past, we were forgotten about.

As a New Boss, what would change to make the business healthier?

It would be great if there weren’t so many ‘yes’ people around. You see a lot of people who are scared to be honest with managers or artists, but ultimately, that honesty is what will help achieve success.

What’s the best lesson you have learned so far?

That it’s a small industry, and to bear that in mind. For example, that manager who you don’t bother to call back could then sign the next big thing, and you won’t get a look in.

Tell us about your proudest achievement?

The N-Dubz sold-out O2 Arena show sticks in my mind. To see a band that I helped build-up, playing in front of 16,000 people – who had all bought a ticket to see them – was incredible.

Carlo Scarampi (UK)

Promoter – Kilimanjaro Live

Age: 27

Scarampi has been promoting for seven years. Work experience at Barfly led to him becoming a promoter at both Barfly and Borderline, before becoming a national tour promoter at AEG Live. A year ago, Scarampi made the jump to Kilimanjaro Live where he is working with Bastille, The Lumineers, John Newman, Daughter, and MS MR, among others.

What do you perceive as the biggest challenges to your business?

That’s got to be ticketing. It’s really important that we, as promoters, get the purchase process right and work as tightly as possible with agents and managers to make sure we’re getting our ticket prices to fit consumer expectation. It can be quite easy to get carried away at times.

How is your role as a promoter changing?

You have to be on it and find acts earlier and earlier. I spend a huge amount of time researching and chasing new artists; speaking to managers, lawyers and A&R’s, to gain an advantage. The decline in print media also means we have to find new ways to sell and promote shows via digital media and other outlets that weren’t as prominent as when I first started.

What do you love most about your job?

Zach Desmond (Ireland) Promoter – MCD

Age: 27

Desmond began his career working in production for Live Nation UK before, two years ago, joining his father’s company, MCD, as a promoter. Having worked on the Electric Picnic, this year he launched Longitude Festival to critical acclaim and commercial success.

Has your family name made a difference to your career?

I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t. I’m very fortunate that my dad has had a very successful career in the music business and it gave me an opportunity to get my foot in the door. But that only gets you so far: I work extremely hard to make sure people don’t look at me just as someone’s son. If you’re good enough, it doesn’t matter who your father is.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Music has always been a huge part of my life and getting the opportunity to book some of my favourite bands is pretty amazing.

What would you count as your biggest achievement?

I would say the success of Longitude in its first year. There were more than a few people who thought there wasn’t room for a new festival in Ireland, but thankfully, there was.

And any low points? If so, what did you learn from them?

Walking into one of your own sold-out shows. You always get a buzz – the feeling that you’ve put all these people from all different walks of life into the same room because of music, is amazing.

I’ve had a few shows cancelled due to poor sales. It’s never an easy thing to do and sometimes you need to just admit that you got it wrong and make it up to the band/agent at a later time.

What’s the best lesson you could teach others?

What’s exciting you at the moment?

Tell us about your proudest moment

What advice would you have for anyone trying to break into the business?

Trust your own ears and your own judgement on acts; you never know what gems you might uncover. Don’t get carried away by your own achievements. And just keep going, no matter how many times you get knocked back and disheartened.

It would definitely have to be taking Bastille from small shows at Hoxton Hall and the Scala, to selling out Alexandra Palace.

It’s kinda crazy, but in an incredible way.

IQ Magazine November 2013

There are a lot of great bands coming up at the moment. It’s always exciting to see new talent emerge and imagine the potential they have.

Just make sure you are persistent and, if you do get the chance, work your ass off because there are plenty of other people who are willing to do it if you’re not.

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The New Bosses Age: 29

Sebastian Solano (USA)

Co-founder – Life In Color

As co-founder of The World’s Largest Paint Party, Solano has helped Life In Color grow from a small college event to a worldwide brand with over 200 events and over 500,000 tickets sold annually. Last year, SFX Entertainment acquired the company, but Solano remains the CEO and now also plays a role in the global strategy of SFX. How did the idea for the company come about?

I got together with my best friends who are my business partners today (Lukasz and Patryk Tracz; and Paul Campbell) in college and started throwing house parties just for fun. And next thing you know, it turned into our career.

How is your company adapting to evolve with the market?

To succeed you have to be innovative, creative and be ahead of the game. Back in the day, we could just book an artist, rent some speakers, a few lights and we had a great show. Now it’s completely different. The standard has been raised significantly by all the great shows and festivals happening throughout the world. So if you wanna be world class, you gotta be ready to keep up.

Any (fledgling business) low points?

We received a lawsuit and were forced to change our name from ‘Dayglow’ to ‘Life in Color’. But we knew that our fans were loyal enough to follow us no matter what and we came up with a name that we actually like a lot better as it describes our show and company in the way we want to be seen by the world.

What advice would you give to entertainment entrepreneurs starting out?

Give it your all: unless you are 200% committed, don’t expect to succeed because there are so many great people out there trying to do the same thing you are. But if you make good decisions and you are committed, the reward could be way bigger than what you ever thought.

Peter Green (UAE)

Promoter – Done Events

Age: 24

Green joined AEG Europe/The O2 arena as office assistant following two years in media sales. Within three months, he was recruited by AEG Global Partnerships, where he remained for almost three further years. In August 2012, Green moved to the UAE where he joined Done Events – the largest event promoter in Dubai – where he is responsible for all concert partnerships and sponsorship sales.

What are the biggest current challenges in your market?

The lack of purpose-built venues. Whilst outdoor venues for 10,000 to 30,000 concert-goers are plentiful, suitable indoor and smaller sized outdoor venues are very hard to find out here in the desert. Artists’ expectations of excessive performance fees are also a challenge, although this is slowly improving as more and more artists come to perform in Dubai. Government rules and regulations, including an actual VAT for tickets sold in Dubai, also have to be thoroughly considered when planning the event calendar.

Sarah Thomas (UK)

Artist manager – Modest Management

Age: 28

At university, Thomas ran club nights as well as managing her musician brother, Ben. A three-year initiation at Z Management was followed by a stint working on in-house artists at Xenomania. Thomas joined Modest Management in 2009 where she took Olly Murs from the X-Factor and has managed him through three multi-platinum albums and four No.1 singles.

How is your role as a manager changing?

A manager’s role is becoming increasingly detrimental to the breaking of a new artist. Development, and to a large extend A&R, is expected within the remit of management now. With an ever-evolving industry in today’s digital age, managers are having to learn new ways of promoting and marketing their artists. I am lucky to work for a large company to guide and develop me as a manager, and have learnt an awful lot from my bosses.

What do you look forward to in your job?

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned over the years?

What has working at different companies taught you?

What’s your biggest moment as a manager so far?

The best thing is that no two days are the same. Working with local suppliers, brands and venues in the Middle East is certainly different to doing the same in the UK. Working in a team is crucial to your individual growth.

What is your proudest achievement?

I’m really proud that I have worked for two of the largest concert promoters in the world whilst under the age of 25.

What’s exciting you in music at the moment?

The increasing trend for artists to go on tour at the earliest opportunity – nothing compares to seeing your favourite track performed live.

What advice would you give to others hoping to forge a career in the live business?

Be prepared to start at the bottom and work hard – hard work does pay off as long as you are willing to go above, beyond and around your job description.

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That no matter how amazing your marketing plan or strategy for your artist is – the music is paramount. Without hits we don’t have a job!

Being involved in Olly’s first No.1 album was pretty special.

And selling out the O2 Arena twice this year was incredible – I can remember going to my first gig there and dreaming of working with someone that could go on to play there.

What advice would you have for anyone trying to break into the business?

Perseverance and passion! If you have both you stand a good chance of succeeding. Many people have the view that this is a very glamorous job and don’t see how much hard work and time you have to put in behind the scenes. Don’t get me wrong though, I get spoiled going to lots of gigs and festivals, which more than makes up for it.

November 2013 IQ Magazine

The New Bosses Danielle Buckley (UK)

Age: 27

Music & new events executive – Wembley Stadium

Buckley graduated with a first-class BA Honours degree in arts, music & entertainment management in 2008 and landed her first job at Derek Block Artistes Agency. She then worked at The Leighton-Pope Organisation before venturing to London 2012 to coordinate the headline talent for the Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies. For the past year, Buckley has been at Wembley Stadium.

How were you introduced to the business?

My dad runs a building company, which primarily works within entertainment facilities. From an early age I would go with him ‘to work’ pretending to be his PA. We were backstage at Wembley Arena, Hammersmith Apollo, Lyceum, Dominion – you name it. I always wanted to be a part of a venue and here I am now, 20 years later, at Wembley Stadium.

What are the main issues you have to bear in mind in your day-to-day work?

Being at a 90,000-capacity venue, the content can be sparse and there are always smaller venues to take up with less risk, or new developments that need to be captured. We are a multifunctional venue, forever evolving to keep ahead of the game – investing in the pitch and a deeper stage pocket to enhance the dates we can hold music content. You always have to be two steps in front, or you won’t stand a chance.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, in a place I’ve always wanted to be, in the industry I live for.

What advice would you have for anyone trying to follow you into the business?

Work hard, gain experience, don’t give up, and remember to have fun. Post gaining my degree I applied for so many jobs with knock-back after knock-back. If you are determined and have a goal, don’t lose sight of it. Be everywhere you can and gain all the experience you can – things will fall into place.

Greg Walsh (South Africa)

Managing director – G&G Productions

Age: 29

G&G Productions is a youth marketing agency/specialist event production company that has enjoyed success with South African tours such as Space Ibiza and Sensation. Walsh believes EDM is an exploding arena of endless talent, new sounds and new brands, and is creating new sub-genres almost monthly.

How did you first become involved in the music industry?

I was looking for ways to cover my university tuition fees and ended up running weekly pub quizzes. My now business partner was a DJ throwing mostly under-18 parties at the time and he attended a quiz and asked to meet. Before I knew it, we were hosting events and dreaming up festivals.

What’s the best thing about what you do?

I get to work with so many different people from all over the globe and introduce them to South Africa. When I receive comments like “best foreign country experience” or “worldclass service, thank you G&G” it makes it worthwhile.

What’s the best advice you could give to someone else in your market?

Never fold to threats. The South African event landscape is plagued with ‘underworld’ involvement. Throughout my career I have maintained an unwavering commitment to keeping my affairs corporate and upstanding. The competition has threatened my life, my business and even gone so far as to threaten the lives of the audience at our shows. I have never folded to any threat and have kept the focus on momentum, often against my better judgement and personal fear. This approach has, however, always kept us strong, ahead, and continues to see us changing the landscape and market in South Africa.

What is exciting you in the music business at the moment?

Consumerism and access to information has rendered the consumer massively demanding in today’s entertainment world. They want what is new all the time. With this comes huge possibility and opportunity, but it raises the stakes and the risks as you’re always taking chances.

IQ Magazine November 2013

Zeon Richards (UK)

Artist manager – Renowned Group

Age: 28

Richards went to school with Jermaine Scott Sinclair, aka Wretch 32, and fell into management through helping the artist establish himself. He has since added Jacob Banks, George The Poet and Knox Brown to the roster of acts he represents, attracting investment offers from some established management firms.

How did you become a manager?

I used to help out Wretch as a friend, sending emails to DJs and stuff for him. I even tried to find him other managers, but he always said ‘no’ and that I was the only manager he’d work with.

What was your big break?

I was working for a software company when the whole urban thing started to get commercial recognition. Tinie Tempah got B-listed at Radio One and a light bulb flicked. I told Wretch we had to go for it and we had to be professional about it, so I’d have to start talking to people as his manager. Our first single went to No.5; the next one went to No.2; and then Don’t Go was released and debuted at No.1.

What’s the hardest decision you’ve had to make?

I started managing a female artist and we’d spent a lot of money on recording an album, but the dynamic between us just wasn’t right. But while I was working with her I came across George and then Jacob. I completely hit it off with them both and loved what they were doing. So I learned that you have to be passionate about your artist and have a good dynamic with them to properly represent them. And it’s a difficult conversation when you have to sever a relationship.

You’ve had some good times, so far. What do you count as your biggest achievements?

Going to No.1 with Wretch was huge – our goal before that was to sell out the Jazz Café. On a personal level, getting that sense of acceptance and recognition that what I do is a career is really satisfying. Also, having Rocket Management and Quest offering to invest in me is just incredible.

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