BMI Panel Talks Current Trends in the Music Industry

BMI recently hosted a panel discussion that provided insight on the current state of the music industry. Held November 18 at the Microsoft Zune LA Loft, topics included creating marketing strategies reflecting the current state of the music business, the continued impact of the Internet, legal challenges and staying relevant in a rapidly changing environment.

Panelists included Grammy Award-winning producer Rodney Jerkins; Tony Abner, Esq.; Sr. VP of Marketing/Department Head for Atlantic Records, James Lopez; Sr. VP of Urban Music, Rondor Music International, Kevin Hall; recording artist, Mickey Factz; Director of Creative Services, Cashmere Agency, Ryan Ford; VP A&R, Island/Def Jam, Brian Postelle; and VP Content for Fox Mobile Distribution, a unit of Fox Mobile Group, Soren Schafft. The panel was moderated by Yahoo’s Sr. Program Director-Urban/Video Programming Lead Billy Johnson. Mickey Factz performed at the conclusion of the panel.

Shown at the BMI panel discussion (l-r):

Toby Abner Esq.; Cashmere Agency’s Ryan Ford; Rondor Music’s Kevin Hall, producer Rodney Jerkins; Def Jam’s Brian Postelle; artist Mickey Factz; Atlantic Records James Lopez; Fox Mobile’s Soren Schafft; and Yahoo’s Billy Johnson Jr.

Toby Abner Esq.; Yahoo’s Billy Johnson Jr.; Cashmere Agency’s Ryan Ford; Rondor Music’s Kevin Hall ; producer Rodney Jerkins; Def Jam Brian : Fox Mobile’s Soren Schafft; artist Mickey Factz; and Atlantic Records James Lopez

Rondor Music’s Kevin Hall; Fox Mobile’s Soren Schafft; Yahoo’s Billy Johnson Jr. (Moderator); producer Rodney Jerkins; Atlantic Records James Lopez; artist Mickey Factz; Def Jam’s Brian Postelle; and Toby Abner Esq.

BMI’s Malik Levy and Nicole Plantin; producer Rodney Jerkins; and BMI’s Barbara Cane

Back row: Rondor Music’s Kevin Hall; Fox Mobile’s Soren Schafft; Yahoo’s Billy Johnson Jr. (Moderator); Atlantic Records James Lopez; artist Mickey Factz; BMI’s Malik Levy, Def Jam’s Brian Postelle and Toby Abner Esq.Front row: BMI’s Nicole Plantin and producer Rodney Jerkins (Photos by Randall Michelson)