A NUMBER OF TOP international managers in the music industry are in Barbados for the three-day Caribbean Music Summit, which ends today.
The inaugural event featured a music management master class with Matthew Knowles, chief executive officer of Music World Entertainment and father of international singer Beyoncé Knowles.
In addition, Joe Belliotti, head of global music marketing, the Coca-Cola Company, talked about how the company does business on a global level with artistes, as well as on a local level with their local campaigns.
Mark Frieser, co-founder and chair of the Caribbean Music Summit, said it was aimed at exposing international business executives in music, entertainment and technology to the culture, music and artistry of Barbados. Additionally, it was designed to create opportunities for local artistes and musicians to connect with important people in the global music and entertainment industries.
Frieser said Barbados was chosen as the host country because having done business with the island, the possibility was realised to grow a long-term relationship to spread the knowledge of the diversity of the island’s music beyond Rihanna.
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley said it presented opportunities for local artistes and those doing business in music to learn about music licensing, brand endorsement and affiliation, promotion, digital development and social media, performance and touring, merchandising and financing.
“This part of the world abounds with talent. Unfortunately, due to limited opportunities, many of our artistes are not afforded the opportunity to launch into the international arena. However, thanks to the Caribbean Music Summit, the platform is being put in place for such avenues to be created,” he added. (LK)
