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THE 2024 PRO COMPONENT ACTIVITES IN DETAILS

Each year, the PRO component of M for Montreal brings together some 500 music professionals to forge new links and develop their markets. This important gathering includes managers, publishers, agents, media, labels and programmers from all over the world.

The classic annual PRO activities are back, with a series of 4 captivating panels on a variety of relevant themes, 5 FOCUS groups for networking between professionals, and 2 partner sessions with renowned actors (…YouTube and Chartmetric!).

Our panel series kicks off on Wednesday, November 20, with over 10 local and international panellists at l’Arrière-scène de l’Esplanade Tranquille, in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.

DISCOVER THE FULL PROGRAMMING


4 PANELS TO LOOK FOR

1. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20 – 10am to 11am: Transforming data to improve music discovery and target audiences

Discover the art of harnessing fan data for a better release strategy and successful touring. What are some examples of in-depth release plans? Should they be synchronized with tour dates for greater efficiency and better results?

Topics covered included: collecting fan data, using analytics tools, implementing digital marketing strategies and creating intimate events to strengthen bonds with fans while increasing sales.

Panelists:
• Jamie Loeb / Senior Vice President – Marketing, Nederlander Concerts
• Alexandra Rosen / Head of Streaming, US & Canada at Partisan Records
• Shelley Pisarra / Executive Vice President, Global Insights at Wasserman
• Francois Nepveu Salem / Executive Business Development Lead – Bandsintown

Moderated by Amanda Dorenberg – CEO @ Billboard Canada, Billboard UK, Rolling Stone QC

PRO BADGE NOW AVAILABLE !


2. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20, 11 am to 12am: Strengthening transparent and strategic alliances between Canada, the United States and Mexico 

Presented by ADISQhow can we strengthen trade relations and the music business between the three North American countries? When is the right time to enter new markets, especially when an artist is successful in his or her home country? When is it reasonable to part with touring money (including related costs) to broaden an artist’s scope? How do you define an “export-ready” artist? What are the key performance indicators of artists who have successfully established themselves in other markets?

Panelists: 
• Angelica Piche de Lasnier – SOL / Atlantic Records + Tokischa Mgmt
• Gourmet Délice – Bonsound
• Paco Barba – Co-founder and Artistic Programming Director for Grupo Indie Rocks !: Hipnosis Festival, Pitchfork Music Festival, Foro Indie Rocks! and House of Vans CDMX
• Will Spitz – Immigration lawyer at CoveyLaw in Brooklyn

Moderated by Tao-Ming Lau – Booking Agent at Paquin Artists Agency


3. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20 from 1pm to 2pm: SuperVision presents The Secret Weapon of Sync Agents 

Presented by B.C.T.Q, what is the role of a sync agent, and how can they help rights holders and independent artists secure global sync opportunities? 

An essential element of successful synchronization is good representation. Sync agents bridge the ever-widening gap between the music and mobile media industries, representing the interests of a carefully curated list of labels, publishers, artists and songwriters, and maintaining close relationships with key decision-makers on the ground in their chosen territory. This panel will explore all aspects of the work and value of a sync agent, as well as success stories and a roadmap for building a global network of sync agents.

Panelists: 
• Carmel Scurti-Belley / Publisher, Sync Agent and Music Supervisor – Fair Enough Montreal
• Dan Koplowitz / Owner – Friendly Fire Licensing
• Lyle Hysen / Sync Agent – Bank Robber Music – NYC
• Pete Kelly / Music Supervisor – Premier League London

Moderated by Michelle Stoddart / Sync Agent – Stoddart Music UK


4. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20 – 2pm to 3pm: The role of accessibility in live music in Canada

New results from the 2022 Canadian Disability Survey (CDS) show that 8 million people have one or more disabilities that limit them in their daily activities, including access to indoor and outdoor public spaces.

Canada’s disability rate has increased by 22% since 2017, with mental health-related disabilities accounting for the largest increase, particularly among youth and working-age adults.
How is this affecting festival and concert attendance rates? How can we make the music industry more inclusive for people with disabilities? What are practical ways to achieve greater inclusivity?

Panelists:
• Sabeerah Najee – DJ, Disability Advocate, Concept Producer of Accessible Plus – Goldenvoice
• Kathleen Barbeau – Gestionnaire principale aux Partenariats publics et industries culturelles – Spectra / Evenko
• Morgan Sutherland – Head of Partnerships – Rifflandia Festival
• Rory McLeod – Executive and Artistic Director- Xenia Concerts

Moderated  par Jessie Archambault (Montreal) at AMI-TV


FOCUS GROUPS NO TO BE MISSED

Focus Group meetings enable industry professionals to create exchanges exclusively devoted to issues specific to their fields of work. Each year, M pour Montréal organizes five Focus Groups specially designed for entertainment agents, record company executives, talent buyers and promoters, artist managers, and, newly added this year, for the media!

On Thursday, November 21, meetings will be held from 10am to 11:30am at various venues. These events will feature renowned industry figures and companies from Quebec, Canada and around the world.

This is an essential opportunity not to be missed !

I WANT TO PARTICIPATE, I NEED MY PASS !


1. FOCUS: Bookers – presented by BRAVO Musique

The realism of booking and the diversity of artistic markets: Canada, USA, Europe and beyond 

This discussion group will highlight the particularities of the territories covered by each booker, the issues related to emergence and the best ways for an artist to break into a market. The aim of the exercise is to create tools to facilitate the search for opportunities, but also to better identify the audiences that set these territories apart. The meeting will conclude with a discussion on the importance of diversity and parity in programming.

To encourage small-group discussions, this activity will take place in a limited format (20 to 30 people maximum).

This meeting is reserved for bookers only.


2. FOCUS: Labels – Presented by Audiogram 

Developing international partnerships 

At this discussion group, industry professionals working in the label sector will be able to discuss their marketing and development strategies in other territories, catalog management, and international partnership agreements.

This meeting is reserved for labels companies executives.


3. FOCUS: Promoter and Talent Buyers – Presented by Evenko  

Each focus group participant will have the opportunity to present a local artist whom they actively support and who they feel is ready to break onto the international scene. Each artist’s short presentation will be supported by various documents, such as a video, song, career highlights and other relevant material, to provide a complete and convincing overview.

This meeting is reserved for promoters and talent buyers working with concert halls and festivals only.


4. FOCUS : Medias – Presented by Polaris  

For the first time, this unique opportunity exclusively for media will allow you to join the Polaris team for an engaging session on music and cultural journalism. You’ll discover the perspectives of industry professionals while exploring current trends in these fascinating fields.

Please note, this event is for media only.


2 PARTNER SESSIONS

Professional meetings will be further enriched by two sponsored sessions presented by YouTube Canada and ChartMetric.  
Join us for a valuable edition of exciting new encounters, discoveries and music !

1. Wednesday, November 20, from 10 am-11 am. : YouTube 

YouTube is the ultimate music stage, where fans and artists can connect in one place. But how do artists win fans on this platform?

In this workshop, Gabriel Obadia, Head of Music Partnerships for Canada, will present strategies and tactics for harnessing YouTube’s potential and building a loyal fan base on the platform. You’ll learn how to leverage different content formats, build authentic relationships with fans and amplify your reach.

2. Wednesday November 20, from 11am-12pm: Chartmetric  

This will be a live demo presentation in which various data points and information will be presented to explain the journey of certain artists.

Areas covered will include key metrics, key demographics, platform and DSP statistics, playlists and comparisons with other similar artists.

I’M A PRO, I WANT TO BE THERE


M FOR MONTREAL

M for Montreal is a major conference-festival and springboard for musical artists on their way to national and international careers.

In addition to an annual and international circuit of events and meetings, M pour Montréal has been organizing an annual rendez-vous in Montreal for the past 19 years. Each year, this event brings together over 500 local, national and international professionals for 3 days of showcases, conferences and networking activities.

M pour Montréal is a catalyst for real business opportunities between artists and industry professionals. It contributes to the promotion and export of selected artists, as well as to the positioning of Montreal as a key city on the music scene.

LEARN MORE ABOUT US !