Over 90 delegates attended the event, including a number of record producers who were invited through the Music Producers Guild that, in recent months, has been developing closer links with the MMF. "We were delighted with the attendance and with the quality of debate from both panelists and members of the audience participating in question and answer sessions," said the MMF’s Executive director James Fisher. "It was particularly satisfying that, in our 10th anniversary year, we were able to provide such a highly professional list of panelists to discuss matters that are becoming increasingly important in this new and difficult age for managers and their artists."
The Open Day incorporated four panels: Focus on Finance, Management Agreements for the Present Age, Getting the Gig and Releasing Your Own Record. Panellists included Stephen King (Creation Management), Jazz Summers (Big Life Management), Ed Bicknell (Damage Management), Peter Jenner (Sincere Management) Nick Moore (MMF Council), David Stark (Songlink), Tony Moore (Kashmir Klub), John Peat (Royal Bank of Scotland) and Rob Holden (IHT Records/Mondo Management), along with the MMF’s industry advisors.
MMF legal advisor Nigel Parker, who chaired the Management Agreement panel, commented: "The debate was informative, lively and highly entertaining as we were treated to plenty of stories about the insane demands that artists can place on managers. Some important points were also raised, not least the danger posed to UK managers by aggressive artist lawyers who are trying to negotiate much tougher contracts. We also highlighted the new breed of management company that is taking a lead from the US where it isn’t uncommon for managers to poach artists by undercutting competitors. This, in our view, is not sensible business practice as it places too much emphasis on improving turnover at the expense of service. If rates are the only determining factor then it is impossible to build a long-term business relationship that will further the artists career."
(Ruth Rossington)
