Home | Music Biz Summit 2020

"Attending the Music Business Summit was a privilege. Jeff and Dave have devised a truly comprehensive event that will give anyone interested in the music industry an honest look at what goes on behind the scenes. Everyone from artists to songwriters to label owners to managers, whether novices or veteran, will learn something new and valuable for their journey."

— Amanda Krieg Thomas, Music Supervisor, Yay Team Productions

*For special accomodations, please call the Glendale Public Library at 623-930-3600 at least 1 week prior to the event date

Industry Experts

CEO, Fervor Records, Phoenix

David launched his lifelong music career as a teenager and now offers vast experience encompassing virtually all aspects of the music business. He founded indie label Fervor Records in 1989, followed by the launch of Wild Whirled Recording studio in 1991. In 2002 he co-founded Whirled Music Publishing, Inc. Hilker has forged an independent path to success by merging his musical background and business expertise with visionary, unconventional thinking. Visit the Fervor Records website to explore more of the company's accomplishments under Hilker's executive leadership.

Jeff Freundlich

COO, Fervor Records, Phoenix

A native of New York City, Jeff graduated Cum Laude from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Following gigs at EMI Records, tech startup Net2Phone, and consulting giant Accenture, Jeff co-founded Whirled Music Publishing, Inc. in 2002. His focused and charismatic leadership style has propelled the company to international prominence in the film, television, and advertising industries. Visit the Fervor Records website to explore more of the company's accomplishments under Freundlich's executive leadership.

Creative Director, A&R, Fervor Records, Phoenix

Former LA music supervisor Jacob Nathan joined Fervor Records in 2016. Jacob's knack for navigating the complicated world of music rights and licensing compliments Fervor's A&R strategy. Mr. Nathan has closed deals this year with catalogs including Up With People and Trod Nossel, as well as a host of artists and writers from around the globe.

2020 Panels Include:

Keynote: Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight

Presented by David Hilker (CEO, Fervor Records) and Jeff Freundlich (COO, Fervor Records)

What The Hell Is Music Clearance And Why Does It Matter?

Moderator: Jeff Freundlich (Fervor Records)

Panelists: Suzi Barry (EMG), Matt Lilley (MLC), Christy Spencer (Fervor Records)

Learn about the nuances of music clearance for film, television, advertising, sampling and more!

Music Supervision Roundtable

Moderator: Jacob Nathan

Panelists: Lauren Fay (Lost and Sound), Andy Gowan (Metalman Media), Whitney Pilzer (Lionsgate)

Why do we have a music supervision panel every year at MBS? Because music in film and television is a great way to grow your audience and earn income. Learn from the best as they explain their creative process, how they find music and how to approach them!

2 Minute Drill

Moderator: Otto D'Agnolo

Ask any experts anything you like!!!

More panels and industry experts coming soon!

SCHEDULE

Previous Year's Experts

Music Supervisor, Mob Scene, Los Angeles

Greg is the lead music creative for International, Home Entertainment, TV Promo, and Digital. He has worked on campaigns for 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, Sony, Lionsgate, Netflix, Amazon, Nickelodeon, Starz, MTV, BET, and Fox Sports One. Before his theatrical marketing career at Mob Scene, Greg was an in-house music creative for Warner Bros. TV. Credits include The Big Bang Theory, Two & A Half Men, The Middle, The Mentalist, Pretty Little Liars, Rizolli & Isles, and Smallville to name a few.

Toddrick Spalding

Music Supervisor, Mob Scene, Los Angeles

Mr. Spalding oversees Mob Scene’s music department and is lead music creative for Theatrical. He has also worked as a freelance, and in house music supervisor for theatrical marketing agencies Trailer Park, mOcean/CMP+, The Cimarron Group, and music supervision collective, High Bias. Clients include: Disney, Marvel, Warner Brothers, Netflix, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Universal Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Levi’s, Haagen-Dazs, Nike, NBA, and Xbox. Toddrick has also co-written and produced music for both sync and commercial release.

Esq., McLane & Wong, Los Angeles

A graduate of Pepperdine Law School, Mr. McLane is a veteran entertainment attorney with a strong focus on music. Credits include Gold and Platinum albums, Billboard Top 10s, and #1 hits for his work with Guns & Roses, Dixie Chicks, Nine Inch Nails, and Alicia Keys. He is experienced in artist management, talent scouting, promotions, and label operations. Currently Ben actively shops artists, producers and songwriters for record, publishing and distribution deals, and teaches Music Business Law & Contracts at Los Angeles College of Music. He has been an instructor at Musicians Institute (Hollywood), and a speaker at SXSW, NAMM, and NSAI.

Music Supervisor, Mothlight Music, Los Angeles

Malia Hall is a Music Supervisor at Mothlight Music in Los Angeles and she works in film, television, and advertising. Malia currently works on The Blacklist (NBC) and SMILF (Showtime), which was nominated for Best Television Series – Comedy at the Golden Globe Awards. She has previously worked on The Bridge (FX), State of Affairs (NBC), and The Player (NBC). In addition to television, Malia has worked on numerous films and documentaries and film highlights include Lowriders, Fallen, and Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around The World. She also works on various ads and clients include Gap, Old Navy, Chobani, and Tom Ford. Prior to music supervision, Malia started her career in Music Management working with Spoon, Explosions in the Sky, Washed Out, and Future Islands.

Connie Mableson

Esq., Mableson Law Group, Phoenix

Ms. Mableson is an AV rated attorney with over 36 years of experience in Copyright, Entertainment, and Trademark specifically in the fields of Music, Television, Literary/Books, and Internet Law. She previously owned and operated a record label, music publishing company, and a mobile application development company. Connie was voted one of the top 10 Intellectual Property lawyers in Arizona as “Best of the Bar.” She is an Adjunct Law Professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU teaching Entertainment Business Contracts. She is also the author of two books in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Handbook™ series available through the American Bar Association and Amazon.

Partner, Ernst & Young, New York

For over 25 years Mr. Taylor has consulted with banks, thrifts, captive finance companies, broker-dealers and financial services companies. John is E&Y’s principal U.S. resource on the regulatory capital treatment of deferred tax assets and on matters involving failed banks. John serves clients across the country, is a sought after speaker, and also a guest lecturer at the University of Arizona. Mr. Taylor is a contributing author to Business Entities and Federal Income Taxation of Debt Instruments. Sound nerdy? Yeah… but JT understands music royalties and tax. Pay attention!

Owner, Mike Turner Media, Los Angeles

Mike is an award winning Music Supervisor/Editor/Producer for film, TV and ads. He has worked in numerous creative capacities for music publishers, record labels, licensing companies, radio stations, TV networks and production companies. Mr. Turner's film clients include Judd Apatow, Michael De Luca, Ice T., Bret Easton Ellis, Paul Schrader, Nick Cassavetes and Ondi Timoner. Mike has supervised advertising campaigns for Converse, Booking.com, Petco, Estee Lauder, Microsoft and Acer Computers. His TV credits range from CBS to Netflix, MTV Networks, Direct TV, Hulu, Fox Sports and VICELAND/A&E.

Operations Manager, Teleport Management

Scott is the Operations Manager for the Talent Management Division at Teleport MGMT/Records handling day to day duties for artists Bishop Briggs, DOROTHY, and RHUDE Designs. Starting his career as an intern at local Phoenix record label Fervor Records, he eventually became the Content Coordinator handling artist media content, producing music videos, and producing contracts for music licensing placements. In the summer of August 2013, he accepted a job as the assistant for actor, singer, songwriter Tyrese Gibson. A year later, he became a productions assistant and merchandising manager for multiple acts touring the US for 3 years (Tyrese, Miguel, DOROTHY, Bishop Briggs). Since 2016, he now handles the logistics for all Talent at Teleport MGMT/Records.

Owner, Noisy Ghost PR

Michelle has been owner and operator of Noisy Ghost PR since the company's founding in early 2013. Prior to that, she gained four years experience in music PR working in Athens, GA where she also graduated from the University of Georgia's mass communication school. She is now based in Austin, TX and handling PR for new releases from Fervor Records as well as a select roster of independent artists and small labels.

Music Supervisor, Sweater Weather Music

Ever since the 8th grade, when Rob skipped school to catch the opening screening of Almost Famous, he knew that he wanted to be a music supervisor. To date, Rob has music supervised the hit TV shows Future Man (Hulu), Man Seeking Woman (FX), The Bold Type (Freeform), a plethora of films including: Golden Exits, It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong, Band of Robbers, About Alex, Another Evil, and Uncle Kent 2, and the critically acclaimed documentaries: Amanda Knox, and Chicken People. Rob’s upcoming TV projects include Miracle Workers (TBS), and The Bold Type (Freeform).

Journalist, Phoenix New Times

Serene is an accomplished author and journalist. For more than 20 years Serene has written for Phoenix New Times, AZCentral, and Tucson Weekly. As a published author Mr. Dominic penned “Burt Bacharach: Song by Song” (Schirmer Trade Books). His 2011 screenplay was made into the award-winning motion picture “Queens of Country.” This year Serene’s musical “Dark Lullaby” is scheduled to be staged in June and features his new group San Jacinto Death Row Prison Band. In his spare time he runs Onus Records, the first non-profit record label.

President, Waterslide Music Publishing

Jon comes from a strong music publishing background. He spent 20 years at The Bicycle Music Company where he eventually became co-president/partner. Currently Jon is the President of both Waterslide Music, and Fundamental Music. Throughout his career he has worked with a vast array of artistsand businesses including Dylan LeBlanc, The Tokens, Maynard Ferguson, The Dickies, Kool Keith, Oglio Records publishing catalogs, Neil Diamond’s Diamond Music to name just a few. Jon is also a past president of the California Copyright Conference.

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