Posted On: Apr. 18, 2017
from top left: Larry Heath, Ania Kasperek, Ben Mech-Thurlow, Grimur Atlason, Vanessa Cito, Henca Maduro
First Batch of Conference Speakers Announced for BreakOut West 2017
The director of a publishing and events company in Australia, a music manager who establishes cooperatives between artists in different markets, an agent at one of the largest diversified talent agencies with headquarters in Beverly Hills, Nashville, New York, Atlanta and London, a festival director whose duties include programming over 200 acts at 250 official shows over the course of five days, a master of customized social marketing plans and strategy for artists and brands across multiple online platforms, a director of the biggest international urban music conference in the world are the first batch of speakers for BOW 2017.
REGISTER NOW FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING
Larry Heath is the Director of Heath Media, an Australian publishing and events company who run the National Live Music Awards in Australia and curate a series of live music events internationally. Larry founded and publishes the AU review, one of Australia's most popular music websites and regularly writes for music publications around the world. In addition, Larry programs the Australian Music Week Film Festival and was recently instated as the A&R Manager of Music Sales Australia. Follow Larry on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
Ania Kasperek is a music manager and the co-founder of Chimes, a management, consulting and PR agency that helps artists, music events and brands turn their music strategies, development and implementation into daily business. As an artist manager, Ania is currently working with Polish singer songwriter Daniel Spaleniak. She is the founder and general manager of New Neighborhoods, an initiative supporting artists in establishing cooperatives between different markets. Ania is passionate about Nordic culture and inspired by Scandinavian entrepreneurship and business development.
Ben Mench-Thurlow is an agent in the Contemporary and Adult Contemporary division of the Concerts department at APA, one of the largest diversified talent agencies in the industry with headquarters in Beverly Hills, Nashville, New York, Atlanta and London. His roster includes numerous acts in the genres of metal, indie rock and alternative programming. Prior to joining APA in 2012, Mench-Thurlow worked at The Agency Group in London and Los Angeles. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis on music business and management, Mench-Thurlow was recently nominated by the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) for their 2016 Young Professional of the Year award. Follow Ben on Instagram and Facebook
Grimur Atlason is the current manager of Iceland Airwaves music festival. The festival takes place in Reykjavik, Iceland during the first weekend of November every year. Over 200 acts perform at 250 official shows over the course of 5 days. On top of that over 600 shows takes place ‘off-venue’ at Iceland Airwaves.
This is Grimur’s eighth year managing Iceland Airwaves, which was established in 1999. During his time as a manager, Grimur worked with Flaming Lips, PJ Harvey, Dizzee Rascal, Of Monsters and Men, Hot Chip, Björk, Caribou, Sigur Rós, Robyn, Jon Hopkins, Ásgeir, The War on Drugs, Beach House, Kraftwerk, John Grant, FM Belfast, Haim and many others.
Vanessa Cito develops customized social marketing plans and strategy for musicians and brands across multiple online platforms. With ten years of experience in the music business, Vanessa built her career in Hospitality, Branding, and Social Media, for various corporate entities. Also an entrepreneur, Vanessa co-founded both Big Things Productions and People Put Out Productions. Follow Vanessa on Twitter and Instagram
Henca Maduro is the co-founder of Epitome Entertainment, renowned for creating New Skool Rules the biggest international urban music conference in the world, held twice a year in the Netherlands. In 2015, the 3-day networking event saw countless industry connections as well as performances from urban artists such as Fredro Starr, MC Shan, LMFAO, Nico and Vinz, and R. City. Henca is integral to Epitome Entertainment’s other activities such as artist management and development, and music licensing and synching.
With almost twenty years as a live event host and producer, Henca is also a radio personality, and has interviewed some of the most relevant artists in urban music today such as Lil’ Wayne, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown and Pharrell. Henca believes YOUR NETWORK is YOUR NETWORTH and she learns something new every day. Follow Henca on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
REGISTER NOW FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING
PRE-BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION