For those who want to get and make the most of digital distribution, the National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP) presents a 2-part teleseminar workshop on July 23 and July 30.

You will learn how to get digital distribution, the best ways to work with digital distributors, and which arrangement best suits your label or individual needs. Also, you’ll learn about sales arrangements, territories, and payment terms – everything you need to achieve sales success.

Find out how you can use SoundScan and other tools, how to identify the best digital distributors to suit your needs, how to approach them, and how to get the best deal and achieve maximum exposure for your product.

Steven Corn, a recognized industry leader in digital music distribution and CEO of BFM Digital, will lead both sessions of this unique teleseminar.

Plus, we welcome your questions about areas within digital distribution of greatest interest to you. Please email any questions to NARIP at info AT narip DOT com.

You will learn:

• What it is & how it works
• Who needs it and when
• How to get it and what it costs
• Types of digital distributors and sales
• How to work with digital distributors for maximum profits
• Flow chart of distribution channels
• How to fan the flames and create demand for your product
• How to get paid and revenue structures

STEVEN CORN, CEO OF BFM DIGITAL
Steven Corn brings over 20 years of strategic media and music licensing experience to BFM Digital, a digital distribution company specializing in representing independent artists and content via all major download services. Corn is responsible for the over all vision of the company and signing BFM Digital’s current clients which include iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, Napster, MediaNet, Rhapsody and many others. Prior to forming BFM, he created Corn Music Services, Inc. a company that licenses music, sound effects and images to cellular providers around the world for use as ringtones, wallpaper and ringbacks. Corn Music Services continues to provide consulting services for high-volume licensees and licensors such as MySpace, Fox Interactive, Oddcast and kSolo.com. Prior to this, Corn was Executive VP at Licensemusic.com, the first complete, online music licensing service. He also served as the VP/General Manager of Megatrax Production Music, a leading production music library. His background in the music industry includes music supervision for independent films and television movies. He was in charge of music for many theatrical and home video releases at LIVE Entertainment (now Artisan Entertainment). In that position, he negotiated soundtrack deals and administered the company’s catalog of publishing rights in over 60 films. Corn is a contributing editor for the newsletter “RoyaltyWeek” where you can find his weekly rants in a column called “The Digital Lowdown.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFO
www.bfmdigital.com
www.cornmusicservices.com
bigfishmedia.typepad.com

WHEN
Session 1: Wed, July 23 – 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (Pacific) – detailed agenda below
Session 2: Wed, July 30 – 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (Pacific) – detailed agenda below

WHERE
Near your telephone – call in from anywhere in the world!

REGISTER NOW
$40: NARIP Members
$80: Non-members

This price includes the two (2) one-hour teleseminars, the opportunity to email in questions (info@narip.com), chat live with Steven after each session, and an MP3 file of each session.

NOTE
You will receive call-in information (telephone number and pass code) when payment is received.

________________________________________

Session 1
Wednesday, July 23
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (Pacific)

Agenda

· When is the right time to go with digital distribution?
· The role of digital distribution in today’s music industry. Marketshare and territorial stats.

· What are the various types of digital sales? Define the various types of transactions:
o Permanent downloads (DRM-protected vs. non-DRM)
o Conditional or tethered downloads
o Streams
o To-go services
o Cellular
o Variable pricing

· What are the various revenue structures?
o A la cart
o Subscription
o Hybrid (i.e., pre-paid plans)
o Ad Revenue
o User-defined pricing / auction style

· Which types of companies are part of the digital music sales chain?

· SoundScan and the role digital sales play in various charts

· Rights Required:

o US vs. international
o DPD explanations
o Rights required for subscription / tethered downloads

· Label Responsibilities:
o Rights Clearances
o Metadata preparation
o Marketing/Promotion

__________________________________________________________

Session 2
Wednesday, July 30
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (Pacific)

Agenda

· Music Services Major Deal Terms

o Term
o Territory
o Publisher rights
o Takedown provisions
o Revenue share
o Retail pricing flexibility
o Promotional use

· Digital Aggregators: Different Models

o Revenue share
o Fixed fee
o Other fees: processing, encoding, takedown, corrections, etc.

· Digital Aggregator Major Deal Terms
o Percentage
o Term of contract
o Takedown provisions
o Fees
o Advances
o Audit rights
o Payment / accounting periods
o Exclusivity
o Territory

· How to tie in digital distribution with your terrestrial distribution
· Unique opportunities in the digital market

o Digital singles
o Re-release out of print albums
o Compilations
o Digital only albums
o Pre-releases

· Factors to consider in a digital distribution deal

o Accessibility
o Customer services
o Responsiveness
o Speed to market
o Rush releases
o Territory
o Marketing
o Flexibility of terms (can you get out of it?)
o Market penetration (how many stores?)
o DPD administration
o Speed of payments
o Types of reports
o Online reporting (aka Webtrends)

___________________________________________

We’re doing it again!

Fat, fit, feisty and fractious, what could be a more fitting place for NARIP’s next cocktail mixer than Skinny’s Lounge, snuggled elegantly in the gloriously refurbished NoHo Arts District? That’s right, none. Or in the famous words of Nigel Tufnel, “None. None more.”

This is a time of immense change in the record business, in case you hadn’t noticed. And with more and more people striking out on their own, not to mention ongoing lay-offs at many record labels both large and small, there is a greater need than ever for professionals in our business to come together, meet, mingle and network. And drink (in moderation, of course).

NARIP at your service, thank you. What on earth would you be doing on a Monday night anyway?!

Admission at NARIP’s cocktail mixer is FREE, please RSVP your attendance so we can plan complimentary appetizers and stock up on vodka.

It would be a mistake to overlook the importance of making new friends and meeting new people. Dig the well before you need the water. We all need the water sooner or later. Or the cocktail.

Join NARIP and friends, meet new people and have some fun.

WHEN

Monday, July 14, 2008
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

WHERE

Skinny’s Lounge
4923 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91610

Click here for map.

COST

Free admission, complimentary light appetizers.

PARKING

Small lot behind the club, free parking on Lankershim after 6:00 p.m.

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

To assist with your online music marketing needs, NARIP has scheduled this special teleseminar. Start an online marketing plan in one session. Boost the effectiveness of the plan you already have. A great plan doesn’t have to be complicated. A good one can be just one page long. Spreadsheets, graphs and numbers are not necessary.

But you NEED a plan. Lack of a good plan destroys more careers than lack of talent. Good marketing is simply getting your work to the largest number of people at the lowest possible cost.

Jason Feinberg, a top expert and leader in online music marketing and president of On Target Media Group, will lead this unique teleseminar.

Plus, we welcome your questions about online music marketing in advance. Please email any questions to NARIP at info AT narip DOT com.

You will learn:

• Most important parts of online music marketing strategy
• An easy way to begin your online marketing campaign
• Your complete digital toolbox: what you need… and what you don’t
• Branding made simple… and effective
• How to use social networks, blog, MySpace & YouTube
• Sites seeking content – excellent marketing opportunities for you
• How to build a brand and get more fans
• And much more…

JASON FEINBERG, PRESIDENT, ON TARGET MEDIA GROUP
Jason Feinberg is president and founder of On Target Media Group, an entertainment industry Internet marketing and promotion company. Jason is responsible for business development, formulating and managing online marketing campaigns, and media relations with over 1000 Web sites and media outlets. In four short years On Target Media Group has defined itself as one of the industry’s top online marketing and promotion firms with clients including Warner Bros Records, Universal Music Enterprises, EMI America, Capitol Records, Concord Music Group, Tenth Street Entertainment, and many more. OTMG has run online marketing campaigns for Ringo Starr, Mötley Crüe, Carole King, JJ Cale / Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Primus, George Benson / Al Jarreau, Poncho Sanchez, and many more. When not running OTMG, Jason teaches in the Music Business program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFO
www.otmg.net

WHEN
Wed, July 9 – 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (Pacific) – agenda below

WHERE
Near your telephone – call in from anywhere in the world!

REGISTER NOW
$20: NARIP Members BEFORE Friday, July 4 at 5:00 p.m.
$40: Non-members BEFORE Friday, July 4 at 5:00 p.m.

This price includes the one-hour teleseminar, the opportunity to email in questions (info@narip.com), chat live with Jason after the session, and an MP3 file of the session.

NOTE
You will receive call-in information (telephone number and pass code) when payment is received.

________________________________________

Wednesday, July 9
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. (Pacific)
Agenda

Creating an Online Marketing Strategy

· Social Networks
· Grassroots / Fan Efforts
· Widgets / Flash / Embeddable Code

Passive vs. Active Online Marketing

Web Presence: Official Site, MySpace, Social Network Pages, etc

· Critical Information
· Designing With the Fan in Mind
· Creating A Sales Machine

Awareness: How to Inform Existing Fans and Create New Ones

· Different Online Marketing and Promotion Avenues
· Editorial Coverage
· Audio/Video Placement
· Blogs / Podcasts / Music Tastemakers
· Online Radio
· Online Retail

Distribution: Making Your Product Available Physically and Digitally

Essential Sites and Tools for Independent Labels and Artists

Ultimate Goals

· Sales: Physical, Digital, Merch, Tickets
· Artist Branding
· Fan Data Acquisition (Email Lists, Demographics, etc.)
· Additional Revenue Opportunities

Fat, fit, feisty and fractious, what could be a more fitting place for NARIP’s next cocktail mixer than the Pig & Whistle, deep in the center of Hollywood action? That’s right, none. Or in the famous words of Nigel Tufnel, “None. None more.”

This is a time of immense change in the record business, in case you hadn’t noticed. And with more and more people striking out on their own, not to mention ongoing lay-offs at many record labels both large and small, there is a greater need than ever for professionals in our business to come together, meet and network. And drink (in moderation, of course).

NARIP at your service, thank you.

Admission at NARIP’s cocktail mixer is FREE, please RSVP your attendance so we can plan properly.

Here is a tiny ode to sum up what you will encounter. NARIP will award one complimentary cocktail to any person who submits a superior ode which shouldn’t be difficult as our iambic pentameter ain’t what it used to be. The more literary among you may note a certain bold stylistic mix of meters.

One does what one can.

Small Ode To NARIP

Come out, come out wherever you are
Go Metro to meet NARIP, go green-ly sans car *

Next week at The Pig come mix, schmingle and meet
Take a heavy load off those Ken Cole-encased feet

Find yourself neatly in the thick of it all
Warmly welcomed and feted by the belle of the ball

As introductions are made and deals boldly begun
Exchange biz cards, find like-minds, become delightfully unstrung

Meet good folks, quaff ale as dusk gently lengthens
How did you function pre-NARIP, relationships now strengthened?

Then off you go, waltzing back to the Metro
To ferry you home, dressed in dark Hollywood Retro

Singing merry songs en route with your many new friends
Chanting “NARIP forever!” your loud cheery roars blend

Resisting arrest you arrive safely home
NARIP tucks you in gently, and leaves you alone

Moving forward you enjoy new opportunities, friends gifted
Now go take on the world, both refreshed and uplifted!

NARIP Forever

Join NARIP and friends at The Pig, meet new people and have some fun.

WHEN

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

WHERE

Pig & Whistle
6714 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Tel: (323) 463-0000

Click here for map.

COST

Free admission.

PARKING

Free street parking after 6:00 p.m., public (paid) lots along Hollywood Boulevard. NARIP says GO GREEN and use the METRO (the Pig & Whistle is a stone’s throw from the Hollywood & Highland metro stop).

If you Go Metro, here’s how it works:

Step 1: View the METRO MAP.
Get a general view of where the closest rail is to you and what connection(s) you will need to get to UHollywood & Highland. The map contains each station’s physical address and P = Parking if available. Option: Drive to your nearest rail station and park to take the metro rail if your station has a park-and-ride option. If there isn’t parking available, then have a friend drop you off, or use the metro trip planner (scroll down) for more options such as bus options that will take you to the metro.
Map Link

Step 2: Use the Metro TRIP PLANNER.
This will give you a step-by-step guide to get from one address to the final destination. Metro station addresses can be obtained from the interactive rail map. Just click on the name of the station for the physical address. This trip planner uses the bus system too, so if you only want to ride the rail, then only put the rail station address in.
Trip Planner Link

Step 3: Confirm your TIME TABLE.
If you like to figure things out on your own….just use the timetables. The rail timetables are 801-901.
Time Table Link

Step 4: COST of Metro.
Research fares or any other questions you may have.
More Info link

Feel free to call NARIP and ask for Tara if you have METRO questions!

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal launched last year in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. Live mock negotiations evidently hit the spot! See articles on front page of this site for reviews and photos of record and digital distribution deal sessions.

Once again we bring you top music attorneys, this time Andrew Bergman and Dina LaPolt who is back by popular demand (and 2nd place winner in NARIP’s recent Best of the Biz Survey, Music Attorney Category). Moderating our panel with be music attorney Garrett M. Johnson.

Most people think they can just hand a negotiation to a lawyer, and leave it at that. But the truth is, as a professional, you need to be aware of the process and deal points, too, and what the short- and long-term implications to your artists’ careers may be.

Now, of this latest installment of our special series, two top lawyers face off in a live negotiation of a producer agreement in NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal. These experts come together to give you the inside track on major deal points, what they mean and what leverage you have to negotiate the best possible deal.

Most importantly, you will see HOW a producer deal is negotiated and be involved in the process.

Get educated about the art of deal making!

YOU WILL LEARN:

When it’s the right time to make a deal

Major areas of negotiation, including:

• Producer advance vs. recording fund. Did you know it all comes out of the artist’s recording fund?
• Producer royalty. Did you know it all comes out of the artist’s royalty?
  
• Recoupment
• Terms & Options
• Controlled Composition Clause: what you need to know if your producer is also your co-writer!
• What does the artist’s recording agreement say?? THIS affects the producer’s royalty, royalty accountings, mechanical royalties, CD reductions, “fake” free goods and much more!

SAE Institute
1293 Broadway
9th Floor
New York, NY 10001-2910
(at 34th Street, One Herald Center, Daffy’s building on corner)

Click here for map.

COST:

$15 for NARIP Members
$30 for Non-Members

SPECIAL BONUS:

Because you are purchasing a ticket to NARIP’s program, we offer you an MP3 recording for only $20 more (regularly $39.95), a savings of $19.95. This way, you won’t have to take notes and can refer back to important points in the discussion later. Please select the “Premium Ticket” option below if you’d like to add the MP3 to your order.

PAYMENT METHODS:

1. Online (just scroll down) using PayPal or any major credit card (you need not be a PayPal member)
2. Call 818-769-7007 with credit card
3. Walk-up if space permits. NARIP events sell out, advance registration is recommended.

No refunds, all ticket sales final. We appreciate your cooperation.

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

GARRETT M. JOHNSON

Garrett M. Johnson is a transactional attorney currently serving in an Of Counsel capacity with The Bozeman Law Firm, in Mount Vernon, New York, where he specializes in entertainment and tax law. He is a member of the Bars of New York and the District of Columbia and admitted to the United States Tax Court. He also participates in the Entertainment Law Forum of the American Bar Association and the Sports and Entertainment Division of the D.C. Bar. Mr. Johnson’s practice includes significant prior experience in the Office of the General Counsel at the National Endowment for the Arts, where he specialized in the areas of arts law, government practice, and intellectual property matters. Since the mid eighties he has represented a wide spectrum of talent and industry entities including musicians, recording artists, composers, producers, independent labels and artist management companies, amongst others. Specific practice areas include negotiating recording, licensing, publishing, distribution and performance contracts and providing music publishing administration to selected client catalogs. Mr. Johnson’s expertise is recognized across the country and he is a frequent lecturer and panelist on legal and business issues in the music industry. Mr. Johnson received an A.B. in economics from Columbia University and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.

DINA LaPOLT

Dina LaPolt is an entertainment attorney at LaPolt Law, P.C. in Los Angeles. LaPolt Law is a boutique entertainment firm that specializes in representing clients in the music, merchandising, film, television, and book publishing industries. The firm’s clientele include recording artists, independent record companies, music publishers, songwriters, producers, managers, executives in the music and film industries, film production companies, photographers, directors, writers, authors, and actors. In addition to practicing law, Dina teaches “Legal and Practical Aspects of the Recording and Publishing Industries” in the Entertainment Studies Department at UCLA Extension and speaks regularly on panels at music industry conferences all over the country. On the film production side, Dina was the co-producer of the 2005 Academy Award-nominated documentary film entitled Tupac: Resurrection and she is currently co-producing a feature film entitled Live 2 Tell. For more information on Dina LaPolt or her firm, please log on to www.LaPoltLaw.com.

NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal launched last year in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. Live mock negotiations evidently hit the spot! See articles on front page of this site for reviews and photos of record and digital distribution deal sessions.

Once again we bring you top music attorneys, this time Zach Katz and Dina LaPolt who is back by popular demand (and 2nd place winner in NARIP’s recent Best of the Biz Survey, Music Attorney Category).

Most people think they can just hand a negotiation to a lawyer, and leave it at that. But the truth is, as a professional, you need to be aware of the process and deal points, too, and what the short- and long-term implications to your artists’ careers may be.

Now, in Part III (in Los Angeles) of this special series, two top lawyers (one of them an artist manager) face off in a live negotiation of a producer agreement in NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal. These experts come together to give you the inside track on major deal points, what they mean and what leverage you have to negotiate the best possible deal.

Most importantly, you will see HOW a producer deal is negotiated and be involved in the process.

Get educated about the art of deal making!

YOU WILL LEARN:

When it’s the right time to make a deal

Major areas of negotiation, including:

• Producer advance vs. recording fund. Did you know it all comes out of the artist’s recording fund?
• Producer royalty. Did you know it all comes out of the artist’s royalty?
  
• Recoupment
• Terms & Options
• Controlled Composition Clause: what you need to know if your producer is also your co-writer!
• What does the artist’s recording agreement say?? THIS affects the producer’s royalty, royalty accountings, mechanical royalties, CD reductions, “fake” free goods and much more!

SAE Institute
6565 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(across from Cat & Fiddle, between Highland & Vine)

Click here for map.

COST:

$30 for NARIP Members
$50 for Non-Members

Attention attorneys: receive 2.75 MCLE credits for attending this program for only $40 more. Select Premium Ticket option below.

SPECIAL BONUS:

Because you are purchasing a ticket to NARIP’s program, we offer you an MP3 recording for only $20 more (regularly $39.95), a savings of $19.95. This way, you won’t have to take notes and can refer back to important points in the discussion later. Please select the “Premium Ticket” option below if you’d like to add the MP3 to your order.

PAYMENT METHODS:

1. Online (just scroll down) using PayPal or any major credit card (you need not be a PayPal member)
2. Call 818-769-7007 with credit card
3. Mail payment to NARIP to P.O. Box 2446, Toluca Lake, CA 91610-2446. Be sure to indicate which program you are paying for, and please include contact details. Mailed payment must be received no later than Tuesday, April 8.
4. Walk-up if space permits. NARIP events sell out, advance registration is recommended.

No refunds, all ticket sales final. We appreciate your cooperation.

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

DINA LaPOLT

Dina LaPolt is an entertainment attorney at LaPolt Law, P.C. in Los Angeles. LaPolt Law is a boutique entertainment firm that specializes in representing clients in the music, merchandising, film, television, and book publishing industries. The firm’s clientele include recording artists, independent record companies, music publishers, songwriters, producers, managers, executives in the music and film industries, film production companies, photographers, directors, writers, authors, and actors. In addition to practicing law, Dina teaches “Legal and Practical Aspects of the Recording and Publishing Industries” in the Entertainment Studies Department at UCLA Extension and speaks regularly on panels at music industry conferences all over the country. On the film production side, Dina was the co-producer of the 2005 Academy Award-nominated documentary film entitled Tupac: Resurrection and she is currently co-producing a feature film entitled Live 2 Tell. For more information on Dina LaPolt or her firm, please log on to www.LaPoltLaw.com.

ZACH KATZ

“Navigating through the music business is like living in the Matrix”, says Zach Katz. “If you don’t have Neo as your guide, you’re lost.” In an ever-changing industry where no one or nothing is really who or what they seem to be, success depends largely on who is guiding your career. For over a decade Zach Katz, as a music attorney, music executive and manager, has guided the careers of some of the industry’s most important artists and producers.

Katz earned his Juris Doctorate from Loyola School of Law in 1996 and went into private practice in his home city of Los Angeles. He quickly found success and became the go-to guy for numerous notable artists, producers, record labels, distributors and publishing companies who heard about the young music attorney with a true love for music, particularly hip-hop. “I was never satisfied with just drafting and negotiating agreements. Securing endorsements, merchandising opportunities, and touring engagements for my clients were prominent parts of my practice”.

This unorthodox “lawyering” became a natural transition into the next stage of Katz’s career in the music industry. In 2000, one of his legal clients Groove Attack GMBH, a European music distribution powerhouse, decided to launch a U.S. hip-hop record label. Based on his work with Groove Attack, Katz was asked to become the CEO of the new enterprise. During his two years as the company’s CEO, Katz supervised the production, distribution and marketing of several critically acclaimed albums, including the solo album from A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg. Phife’s album went on to sell more than one hundred thousand units in the United States alone. Katz’s work with Groove Attack largely took him away from his work as a lawyer, a place he was not eager to return.

In 2001 while Katz was legally representing producer extraordinaire Hi-Tek, the opportunity to become Hi-Tek’s manager opened up. With his first management client seeing immediate success as a producer, artist and music executive under his guidance, Katz knew that he could never be just a lawyer again. “Managing Hi-Tek proved to be very exciting. As a manager I had the opportunity to continue the creative work that I began as the CEO of Groove Attack. But it was very challenging to prove to the people around me that someone who was once a lawyer had the creative vision to be a music manager. At first, many people simply didn’t want to see me in my new role,” he explains. The non-believers were quickly converted when Katz expanded his management roster to include the legendary rapper Rakim. “When I officially became Rakim’s manager, people had to accept that I was in the management game. Rakim is one of the most respected people in the music industry. Everyone knows that he’s extremely selective about the people he surrounds himself with.”

As Rakim’s manager, Zach Katz saw tremendous potential to expand his client’s hip-hop icon status into an equally sizeable brand name. Thinking on a global level, Zach Katz successfully identified and forged relationships with corporate entities, who naturally fit the class, integrity and uniqueness of Rakim’s brand. The first of these brand marriages was with Reebok, who created a national Rakim Classic campaign. The campaign was an equally huge success for both Reebok and Rakim. The second branding opportunity came when Zach Katz successfully pitched and landed the Never Blend In campaign with Hennessy. The Never Blend In campaign was a perfect match for Rakim, who’s unmistakable class and style has stood out from its inception. The Hennessy campaign ran for nearly three years via full page advertisements in music’s most credible publications.

As Rakim and Hi-Tek’s manager Katz quickly forged a strong alliance with Aftermath. “Managing Rakim while he was signed to Aftermath, I spent countless nights in the studio with Dr. Dre and witnessed him at work. Many people would pay top dollar to see what I saw and learn what I learned from Dre. I got to see the science behind some of people’s favorite rap records. And I paid very close attention to everything,” explains Zach Katz.

With music producer management as his primary focus from 2002 through 2005, Katz represented some of today’s most notable urban producers. In addition to managing Hi-Tek, he added Denaun Porter p/k/a Konartis of D-12 to his roster. Under Katz’s guidance Denaun went on to produce 50 Cent’s smash single “P.I.M.P.”, G-Unit’s smash single “Stunt 101” along with singles for D-12 and Young Buck. With Katz’s producer clients contributing to worldwide record sales of over 50 million units, Katz felt that things couldn’t be better. This was until he discovered Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem.

“I knew there was something extraordinary about J.R. from the day I first heard his music”, says Zach Katz of his exclusive management client and business partner. “I had never before heard such unique musical ideas”. A classically trained pianist from the age of five, J.R. was a young digital Mozart with a relentless drive to be among the producer elite. “I had never worked with such a focused and humble person before. He put his complete faith into my creative and business guidance and literally worked around the clock,” explains Mr. Katz. The new team’s work quickly paid off as J.R. landed one placement after another, adding up to more than 200 songs produced and placed in just three years. And just as astounding as the number of J.R.’s placements is the versatility of his work. These placements include songs for Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Game, Snoop, Lil Kim, Lil Scrappy, Rick Ross, Fabulous, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, Paris Hilton, Chamellionare, Natasha Bedingfield, Jojo, Jesse McCartney, Leona Lewis and Ashley Tisdale, just to name a few. J.R. singles highlights include Rihanna’s worldwide #1 smash “S.O.S.”, Rick Ross’s street anthem “Push It To The Limit”, 50 Cent’s single “Best Friend”, Chamellionare’s “Hip-Hop Police” and Ashley Tisdale’s “He Said She Said.” J.R. ended 2006 with the highest honors when MTV named him “Superproducer of 2006” along with only Timbaland, Swizz Beats and Sean Garret.

In 2007, Mr. Katz’s work with J.R. led to the formation of their media company called Beluga Heights, which on the record side has a joint venture label deal with Epic/Sony. “The deal with Epic was designed so that J.R. will be the musical ear and face of the labe,” explains Katz, J.R.’s partner in the venture and the company’s CEO. The multi-million dollar joint venture is off to an amazing start with the commercially successful release of its first artist Sean Kingston. J.R. produced the entire album including the chart-topping smash singles “Beautiful Girls” and “Take You There”. And 2008 looks promising for Beluga Heights as they add two more new artists to their roster.

Always planning his next move, Zach Katz is focused on building Beluga Heights into a full service record label and music publishing company. With the Epic joint venture already in place on the record side Beluga Heights is now entertaining offers from the industry’s biggest music publishing companies who want to be in business with Beluga Heights’ hit factory song writers. “J.R. and I constantly push each other and our team to bring our A-game to the table. We want to surround ourselves with talented artists, writers and executives who are prepared to dedicate the time and energy its going to take to build the creative and business blueprint for the next twenty years,” says Katz. With that kind of vision and dedication, Zach Katz and Beluga Heights are sure to win.

NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal launched last year in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. Live mock negotiations evidently hit the spot! See articles on front page of this site for reviews and photos of record and digital distribution deal sessions.

Once again we bring you top music attorneys, this time Todd Cooper and Eric Custer (Todd is back by popular demand, having stood firm in his noble record deal negotiation against the formidable Dina LaPolt).

Most people think they can just hand a negotiation to a lawyer, and leave it at that. But the truth is, as a professional, you need to be aware of the process and deal points, too, and what the short- and long-term implications to your artists’ careers may be.

Now, in Part II (in Los Angeles) of this special series, two top lawyers face off in a live negotiation of a management agreement in NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal. These experts come together to give you the inside track on major deal points, what they mean and what leverage you have to negotiate the best possible deal.

Most importantly, you will see HOW a management deal is negotiated and be involved in the process.

Get educated about the art of deal making!

YOU WILL LEARN:

When it’s the right time to make a deal

Major areas of negotiation, including:

• Terms
• Options
• Commissions and how they’re paid
• Sunset clauses
• Deliverables
• Selecting a business manager
• Making the most of the artist-manager agreement

SAE Institute
6565 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(across from Cat & Fiddle, between Highland & Vine)

Click here for map.

COST:

$30 for NARIP Members
$50 for Non-Members

Attention attorneys: receive 2.75 MCLE credits for attending this program for only $40 more. Select Premium Ticket option below.

SPECIAL BONUS:

Because you are purchasing a ticket to NARIP’s program, we offer you an MP3 recording for only $20 more (regularly $39.95), a savings of $19.95. This way, you won’t have to take notes and can refer back to important points in the discussion later. Please select the “Premium Ticket” option below if you’d like to add the MP3 to your order.

PAYMENT METHODS:

1. Online (just scroll down) using PayPal or any major credit card (you need not be a PayPal member)
2. Call 818-769-7007 with credit card
3. Mail payment to NARIP to P.O. Box 2446, Toluca Lake, CA 91610-2446. Be sure to indicate which program you are paying for, and please include contact details. Mailed payment must be received no later than Tuesday, March 24.
4. Walk-up if space permits. NARIP events sell out, advance registration is recommended.

No refunds, all ticket sales final. We appreciate your cooperation.

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

TODD COOPER, ESQ.

Todd Cooper is Of Counsel with Greenberg Traurig’s Entertainment Practice Group. His practice focuses on music industry, multimedia and intellectual property issues. He is experienced in a wide range of music and multi-media transactions and has represented individuals and companies on intellectual property matters including recording artists, songwriters, producers, personal managers, event producers, models and record executive employment agreements. Mr. Cooper has negotiated recording, distribution, and various other agreements with both major and independent record labels as well as negotiated co-publishing, sub-publishing and songwriter agreements with music publishers and has experience in complex acquisitions and sales of entertainment catalogs.

Previously, Mr. Cooper worked as a recording engineer for a major Los Angeles recording studio, as a road and production manager for various touring artists as well as a personal manager for a prominent Los Angeles-based company. Todd earned his J.D. at Loyola Law School and holds a B.A. in History from UCLA. He is admitted to practice in California.

ERIC CUSTER, ESQ.

Mr. Custer’s practice focuses on all aspects of the music industry, including the negotiation of a wide variety of music related contracts and advising clients as to intellectual property rights in the context of the music business.

Mr. Custer has provided these services for bands, recording artists, producers, songwriters, record companies, music publishing companies, film production companies, performing rights societies, music industry trade organizations and various Internet and new media companies.

SOURCES FOR MORE INFO:

www.manatt.com
www.gtlaw.com

NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal launched last year in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco – and all events were packed and a great success. See articles on front page of this site for review and photos.

Once again we bring you top executives, this time record executive Eric Lemasters, KOCH Entertainment’s VP of Business Development, and artist attorney Jay Rosenthal of Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe (and top-rated Music Attorney in NARIP’s recent Best of the Biz Survey).

Most people think they can just hand a negotiation to a lawyer, and leave it at that. But the truth is, as a professional, you need to be aware of the process and deal points, too, and what the short- and long-term implications to your artists’ careers may be.

Now, in Part II (in New York) of this special series, Lemasters and Rosenthal face off in a live negotiation of a independent distribution agreement. These experts come together to give you the inside track on major deal points, what they mean and what leverage you have to negotiate the best possible deal.

Most importantly, you will see HOW an independent distribution deal is negotiated and be involved in the process.

Get educated about the art of deal making!

YOU WILL LEARN

When it’s the right time to make a deal

Major areas of negotiation, including:

• Term of agreement
• Territory of distribution
• Options for renewal and termination of agreement
• Upstream or downstream requirements
• Digital rights
• Distribution fees
• Minimum release requirements
• Breach of agreement clauses
• Obligations of both parties
• Consignment Terms
• Retail Pricing and Terms of Sale
• Retail Discounts for new releases and catalog titles
• Co-op Advertising
• Exclusivity with regard to classes of trade (Web sites, non-traditional retail, online fulfillment, digital downloads)
• Terms of Payment
• Return Reserves
• Return privileges/returns credits (ARP – Average Returns Pricing)
• Freight responsibilities
• SoundScan accessibility
• Administration and other fees
• Liquidation of label negative balances upon termination of agreement
• Terms of termination of agreement


And much more.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

Eric Lemasters, VP of Business Development, KOCH Entertainment
Jay Rosenthal, Esq., Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe, LLP

WHEN

Wednesday, March 19, 2008
6:30 p.m. – Registration opens
7:00 p.m. – Program begins
9:15 p.m. – Program ends

WHERE

SAE Institute
1293 Broadway
9th Floor
New York, NY 10001-2910
(at 34th Street, One Herald Center, Daffy’s building on corner)

Click here for map.

COST

$20 for NARIP Members ($30 AFTER Thursday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m.)
$40 for Non-Members ($50 AFTER Thursday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m.)

SPECIAL BONUS

Congratulations! You made a wise choice, and you’ll enjoy the program “Art of the Music Deal in NY: The Independent Distribution Agreement.” Because you are purchasing the program, we offer you the MP3 recording for only $20 more (regularly $39.95), a savings of $29.95. Please select the “Premium Ticket” option below if you’d like to add the MP3 to your order.

PAYMENT METHODS

1. Online (just scroll down) using PayPal or any major credit card (you need not be a PayPal member)
2. Call 818-769-7007 with credit card
3. Mail payment to NARIP to P.O. Box 2446, Toluca Lake, CA 91610-2446. Be sure to indicate which program you are paying for, and please include contact details. Mailed payment must be received no later than Thursday, March 13.
4. Walk-up

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

ERIC LEMASTERS


Eric Lemasters is VP of Business Development at KOCH Entertainment Distribution. He is responsible for cultivating new physical and digital distribution agreements and maximizing the company’s digital audio and video initiatives. A seasoned music industry professional, Lemasters’ career highlights include working in key roles ranging from A&R to Sales and Marketing at independent labels such as Energy Records, Mechanic Records and Earache Records. In 1998, he launched his own cutting-edge music label, The Music Cartel, which is still active today. In 2003 he entered the world of merchandising with stints at Merchdirect, Blue Grape Merchandising, and most recently, Bravado Merchandising (a division of the Sanctuary Group), where he held the position of Head of New Media and ran the company’s E-Commerce and M-Commerce initiatives.

JAY ROSENTHAL, ESQ.
Jay Rosenthal is a partner with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe, LLP. Mr. Rosenthal’s former and present clients include The Recording Artists’ Coalition, SoundExchange, AFTRA, Thievery Corporation, ESL Music, Drake-Web Records, Mya, Salt N Pepa, DJ Kool, SEV, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Jonathan Edwards, Toshi Reagan, Jimmies Chicken Shack, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Rare Essence, Bill Kirchen, Butch Cassidy, Riot Act Entertainment, VGR Records, Lloyd Dobler Effect, radio personalities Albie Dee, Mark Kaye, and Bill Curry, comedian Robert Schimmel, monument maker/sculptor Robert Berks, and professional wrestler David “Batista” Bautista.

Mr. Rosenthal is a Professorial Lecturer in Entertainment Law at the George Washington University Law School and is an Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Law at the Washington College of Law at American University. Mr. Rosenthal is a former Sound Exchange Board Member and is presently the Chairman of the SoundExchange Artist Advisory Board. He is a former Copyright Examiner with the U.S. Copyright Office, a Vice?president of the Washington Area Music Association, and an Advisory Board Member of the Songwriter Association of Washington.

Mr. Rosenthal has authored numerous articles on entertainment law and intellectual property, and is a periodic contributor to Billboard and other industry newsletters and journals. He is a Contributing Editor to the journal Entertainment Law & Finance. He has lectured extensively across the country on entertainment industry topics.

Mr. Rosenthal received an Undergraduate Degree in History and a Masters Degree in International Affairs from The American University, a Juris Doctor Degree in Law from The Antioch School of Law (Editor, Antioch Law Journal), and a Master of Law Degree in International and Comparative Law from Georgetown University Law Center.



__________________________________________________
The National Association of Record Industry Professionals
promotes career advancement, education and good will
among record executives.

Ring in the New Year with NARIP!
You’re invited to NARIP’s next brunch
on Sat, Jan 19 in San Francisco.

PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE!

All are welcome at our brunch, you need not be a NARIP member to attend.

Please RSVP and pay online by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18 so we can reserve enough space and order food.

Among other things, NARIP sponsors events like these to encourage networking and the fostering of business relationships in the record industry. Over 75% of all great opportunities, deals and job offers come about as a direct result of second and third party referrals – who you know matters. So get to know more people in the record biz, and let them get to know you! Please join us and bring plenty of business cards. All are welcome, details below.

Countless people have connected to opportunities and jobs, and established new business associates and friends. We look forward to seeing you at our brunch!

Is your network not working? Ours is.

They can’t promote you if they don’t know who you are!

WHEN:
Saturday, January 19, 2007
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:
HiDive
Pier 28-1/2
(on the Embarcadero at Bryant Street)
San Francisco, CA 94111

ADMISSION:
$21 NARIP Members
$26 Non-members

Admission includes all-you-can-eat brunch, tax and tip.

DIRECTIONS:
Click here for map.

PARKING:
Metered parking on the Embarcadero ($.25 for 8 mins) or a lot on Pier 28 right next door (ten dollars). Note: HiDive staff often use this lot without paying and haven’t had any incidents but park there at your own risk.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
N Judah train runs right in front of HiDive on the Embarcadero.

Please Permit NARIP To Assist
With Your Seasonal
Merry-Making Needs

You’re invited to
NARIP’s Holiday Reception
Co-hosted with Digital Coast Foundation

Wed, Dec 12 in Marina del Rey (LA)

Join NARIP’s Los Angeles Chapter to bring in the holiday season!

Every year for the past number of years, NARIP has teamed up with the Digital Coast Foundation to co-host a holiday reception. Digital Coast is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which, in essence is an association of associations in Southern California that leverages resources in the service of community-based arts, technology and education organizations in this region.

Apart from NARIP members, this year you will be able to schmingle with members from Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the Internet Society, Interactive Television Alliance, LARTA, Pasadena Entretec, Association of Information Technology Professionals, the LARTA Institute and the Technology Council of Southern California.

Payment for this reception goes directly to Digital Coast (not NARIP) and links below will take you to the page where you can register.

Among other things, NARIP sponsors events like these to encourage networking and the fostering of business relationships in the record industry. Over 75% of all great opportunities, deals and job offers come about as a direct result of second and third party referrals – who you know matters. So get to know more people in the record biz, and let them get to know you! Please join us and bring plenty of business cards. All are welcome, details below.

Countless people have connected to opportunities and jobs, and established new business associates and friends. We look forward to seeing you there!

Is your network not working? Ours is.

They can’t promote you if they don’t know who you are!

WHEN:
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

WHERE:
California Yacht Club
4469 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

ADMISSION:
$25 NARIP Members
$35 Non-members

Includes hearty hors d’oeuvres, cash bar.
All sales are final.

PARKING:
Free

REGISTER NOW:
Digital Coast (rather than NARIP) is taking payment for this event. To register now, click here.

QUESTIONS?
(310) 448-7500 Digital Coast
info@digitalcoast.org

You are cordially invited to attend NARIP’s brunch on Saturday, November 17th at the Empress Pavilion in Chinatown! We encourage you to join NARIP as we take the Metro to get there. Come meet and greet Los Angeles-area record and music industry professionals.

All are welcome, you need not be a NARIP member to attend.

Among other things, NARIP sponsors events like these to encourage networking and the fostering of business relationships in the record industry. Over 75% of all great opportunities, deals and job offers come about as a direct result of second and third party referrals – who you know matters. So get to know more people in the record biz, and let them get to know you! Please join us and bring plenty of business cards. All are welcome, details below.

Countless people have connected to opportunities and jobs, and established new business associates and friends. We look forward to seeing you at our brunch!

1. Online with PayPal or any major credit card – just scroll down. NOTE: you NEED NOT be a PayPal member to use this feature.

2. Call 818-769-7007 with credit card.

3. Walk-up (cash only please).

4. Mail a check payable to NARIP and mail to us at Post Office Box 2446, Toluca Lake, CA 91610-2446. Be sure to include your contact details (phone number and email address) and identify the event for which you are paying. Payment must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 15.

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

PARKING & DIRECTIONS:

Well, you can be boring and anti-green and drive, OR you can ride the METRO with your NARIP friends! If you drive, the restaurant validates 1 hour with lunch (free), thereafter cost is $1.20 per hour. Metered street parking also available. If you Go Metro, here’s how it works:

Step 1: View the METRO MAP.
Get a general view of where the closest rail is to you and what connection(s) you will need to get to Union Station’s Gold Line to meet us. The map contains each station’s physical address and P = Parking if available. Option: Drive to your nearest rail station and park to take the metro rail if your station has a park-and-ride option. If there isn’t parking available, then have a friend drop you off, or use the metro trip planner (scroll down) for more options such as bus options that will take you to the metro.
Map Link

Step 2: Use the Metro TRIP PLANNER.
This will give you a step-by-step guide to get from one address to the final destination. Metro station addresses can be obtained from the interactive rail map. Just click on the name of the station for the physical address. This trip planner uses the bus system too, so if you only want to ride the rail, then only put the rail station address in.
Trip Planner Link

Step 3: Confirm your TIME TABLE.
If you like to figure things out on your own….just use the timetables. The rail timetables are 801-901. *Be sure you scroll to the Saturday / Sunday / Holiday time table (first page starts with Mon-Fri), and then check whether it is North or Southbound, refer to the map if you need to!
Time Table Link

Step 4: COST of Metro.
Research fares or any other questions you may have.
More Info link

Feel free to call NARIP and ask for Tara if you have METRO questions!

• Term of agreement
• Renewal and termination options
• Territory
• Digital rights, including:
  
• SoundExchange
• Digital right in sound recordings
• Recent CARP decision, increased payment to rights holders and what this means to YOU
• Distribution fees and ranges
• Administrative and other fees
• Minimum release requirements (if any)
  

• Price tiering, retail pricing and terms of sale
• Retail discounts for new releases and catalog titles
• Co-op advertising
• Exclusivity with regard to classes of trade (Web sites, non-traditional retail, online fulfillment, digital downloads)
• Terms of payment
• Sales and inventory reports
• SoundScan accessibility
• Audit rights
• Geo targeting, data capture and data sharing
• Marketing services

• Distribution Fee
  
• Recoupable Expenses
• Other Deductions (admin, etc.)
  
• Exclusivity
• Marketing
  

San Francisco State University
Downtown Center
835 Market Street (above Bloomingdales)
Room 612 / 613
San Francisco, CA

Click here for map.

COST:

$25 for NARIP Members
$50 for Non-Members

PAYMENT METHODS:

1. Online (just scroll down) using PayPal or any major credit card
2. Call 818-769-7007 with credit card
3. Walk-up

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

JENNIFER BURKE-SYLVA

Jennifer Burke Sylva is a music and convergence attorney in private practice who works in the area of entertainment and technology. Sylva represents authors, musicians, visual and recording artists, producers, record companies, as well as technology companies from the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Prior to founding the firm, Sylva served as head lawyer and executive with Sony Connect Inc., Sony’s online digital distribution venture, where her duties included obtaining rights from major and independent record labels, motion picture studios and production companies, television networks, recording artists, publishers and other rights holders. She has drafted and negotiated numerous music and video content, software and technology license agreements, prepared policies, services and online agreements for Web sites and in support of e-commerce, and provided legal advice to multiple business units within the company in the US, Europe and Japan.

Prior to Sony Connect, Sylva worked as General Corporate Counsel for Redwood City-based Liquid Audio, Inc. and was also employed in private practice. Sylva was awarded a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Santa Cruz and was a scholarship recipient of and attended the University of Kent, Canterbury, England. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University School of Law. While in law school, Sylva served as an articles editor for, and was published in the High Technology Law Journal, earned the Pro Bono Award for her work with California Lawyers for the Arts, and earned the High Technology Law Certificate.
Sylva was awarded the First Place Nathan Burkan Memorial Writing Award by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for her article about digital distribution and content delivery. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Sylva was employed by Virgin Records in the U.K. and in Ireland.

Sylva publishes articles periodically and speaks on panels where she helps to educate others about music, copyright, and other intellectual property issues. Sylva is a member of the State Bar of California, a panel attorney for California Lawyers for the Arts, and the Chapter/Committee Relations Sub Committee Chair of the national Intellectual Property Committee of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

JASON KADLEC

Jason served as both Director of A&R and Director of Client Relations at INGrooves before being appointed Director of Business Development & Marketing in 2006. Prior to INgrooves, Jason worked for Om Records as Street Team Coordinator and toured and recorded with Om Records artist aFRO-mYSTiK.

TIM MITCHELL

Tim Mitchell started at IODA when the company was only 9 strong and has performed more than one dual-executive role as the VP of Business and Product Development and VP of Marketing and Business Development. As VP of Marketing, Tim now leads the company’s focused effort on the next big challenge in the digital media space.

In 1996, Tim started his Internet career at Wired Magazine and soon moved to Hotwired, the first commercial media Web site. In 1998 he founded grassroots Web-casting site Nineup.com to showcase local San Francisco artists using the then-new power of streaming media before “streaming media” was even a buzzword. He held product management roles at Lycos Music, while also hosting the Wired News online radio show “Music Spin” and acting as a member of the Board of the Popular Noise Foundation, a San Francisco based non-profit whose goal was to promote local independent musicians. Later, he held a strategic product development role as Terra/Lycos in their Global Product Development group where he worked heavily in streaming media and media player software.

Recently Tim re-launched MP3.com at CNET Networks as the site Director in May 2004. There, he was responsible for managing MP3.com, its business strategy and technologies. He played a key role in the re-launch, providing a new brand, focus, strategy and directive.

Tim is well-versed on the important issues of the day with 9 year’s experience in the digital music space and has a long list of speaking engagements and quotes in the press. Speaking engagements include: Jupiter, Music 2.0, iHollywood, Mobile Content World, East Coast Music Awards, CMJ, London Calling, Bandwidth, Billboard Mecca, TapeOp, Podcast Hotel and others.

Day job aside, Tim spends many of his off-hours writing, recording and performing music.



GEOFF PIPER

Geoff Piper has managed various jazz, country and rock groups. He currently performs with and manages a Bay Area alternative rock band. His management duties include advising on national booking and touring, publicity, public relations and advertising, artist Web site and online presence development, the selection of artistic and musical material, wardrobe, organization of photo and video shoots, and all other matters pertaining to the band’s professional activities and career in the entertainment, music and recording industries. Geoff also works for Independent Television Service (ITVS) in San Francisco as an Intellectual Property (IP) attorney in-house where he negotiates and drafts television production and distribution contracts in order to license content between independent film producers, artists, broadcasters, distributors, television stations, recording companies, and music publishers. Prior to ITVS, Geoff worked for several San Francisco based IP law firms, solo practitioners, and in his own private practice where he represented solo artists, bands, music studios, independent online labels and distributors.

# # #

____________________________________________________
The National Association of Record Industry Professionals promotes career advancement, education and good will
among record executives.

Live shows and concert tours remain the most important components of artist development available and, when successfully executed, can have an enormous positive impact on an artist’s career.

NARIP has assembled some of the concert industry’s top promoters, club bookers, music agents and artist managers to discuss how an artist’s career trajectory can be improved with strategic bookings; how shows are bought, sold and built upon; and how people make money from them.

Our experts will provide insight into these and other areas that affect the record business, using live performances as artist development vehicles for new acts, and give a glimpse into what the future of live music may hold.

You will learn:

– How To Book Acts In Small & Medium Venues
– How To Go From Medium Venues To Festivals & Arenas
– How To Grow A Fan Base
– Fee Ranges For Specific Venues
– Digital Deals To Augment Live Efforts
– How To Tie In Digital Sales With Live Performances & Retail
– Marketing Live Music On The Internet
– How To Maximize Merch Sales
– Performance Deal Points: Money, Splits, Merch & More
– Hot Trends
– Pulling It All Together
– Who’s Managing Whom: Top Artist Managers Speak Out

With a dizzying array of performance venues of all sizes in the greater Los Angeles area, a good plan is vital to choose the right path to build a career.

To help find the way and evaluate options, join NARIP’s conference featuring some of Los Angeles’ top promoters, agents and managers (many of whom book acts in regions beyond LA).

Join us as NARIP pries the lid open on some of the secrets of the Los Angeles concert biz!

Register now!

WHEN

Monday, October 22, 2007
9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
(see panel schedule below)

WHERE

Blue Moon Nights
4712 Lankershim Boulevard
N. Hollywood, CA 91602

SCHEDULE

9:00 a.m.
Registration opens

9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
How To Build Fan Bases & Get Booked

Special Guest Speakers:

Corrie Christopher, The Agency Group
Erik Koral, President, FAN Manager Marketing & Promotions
Mastin Kipp, The BAM Group
Ritch Esra, Publisher, Music Business Registries (moderator)

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.
Networking Break

11:15.m. – 12:45 p.m.
L.A. Promoter Round Table I:
How To Get Bigger Gigs and Work Your Way Up

Special Guest Speakers:

Brent Harvey, KBH Entertainment
David Gordoni, NUE Agency
Keith Wilson, Club Moscow
Pam Moore, Happy Bookers
Bernard Baur, Music Connection A&R/Features Editor (moderator)

12:45 – 2:15 p.m.
Lunch

2:15 – 3:45 p.m.
L.A. Promoter Round Table II:
How To Go From Medium Venues To Festivals & Arenas

Special Guest Speakers:

Alan Beck, President, Pacific Concert Group and artist manager
Moss Jacobs, VP of Talent Acquisition, Nederlander Concerts
Aaron Pinkus, Paradigm Agency
Susan Rosenbluth, VP / General Manager Southern CA, AEG Live

3:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Tea Break

4:15 – 5:45 p.m.
Who’s Handling Whom: Top Artist Managers Speak Out

Special Guest Speakers:

Andy Gould, Spectacle Entertainment Group
Peter Katsis, Senior VP, The Firm Entertainment
Brett Williams, New Noise Management

COST

$80 NARIP Members
$100 Non-Members

Admission includes full lunch.
No refunds.
Speakers subject to change.

PARKING

Free parking on side streets.
Metered parking on Lankershim Boulevard (2- and 4-hour meters)

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.aeglive.com
www.FANmanager.net
www.firmentertainment.net
www.itprecords.com
www.kbhentertainment.com
www.myspace.com/clubmoscow
www.nederlander.com
www.nueagency.com
www.paradigmagency.com
www.spectaclegroup.com
www.theBAMGroup.com
www.thehappybookers.net
www.theagencygroup.com

QUESTIONS?

Call 818-769-7007 or contact NARIP

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

BERNARD BAUR, REVIEW & FEATURE EDITOR, A&R COLUMNIST, MUSIC CONNECTION

Bernard Baur is an artist crusader and award-winning journalist. For many artists he has been the connection between the streets and the suites. Bernard is credited with over 1200 published articles – almost 600 of them in Music Connection Magazine where he is the Review Editor, Feature Writer and A&R columnist. With over twenty years in the biz, Bernard has worked with national acts, emerging artists, and both indie and major labels as a director of marketing and promotions, director of business affairs, and A&R executive. Bernard is also a partner in BGO Entertainment Network, a development and production company, a former copywriter and marketing consultant for Warner Bros. Entertainment and will be teaching two classes at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood regarding Journalism and the Business of Music

CORRIE CHRISTOPHER, The Agency Group

Corrie Christopher began working in the music business in 1995 at the Tahoe Agency, a small boutique agency that represented acts such as Sublime, Blink 182, and Less Than Jake. She formed her own agency, Fierce Talent, in 1999 where she developed acts such as Rise Against, Yellowcard, Lucero and many more. After 6 successful years on her own she took her roster to The Agency Group in early 2005. She continues to work out of The Agency Group Los Angeles office specializing in developing acts from small clubs to arenas.

BRENT HARVEY, PRESIDENT, KBH ENTERTAINMENT

KBH Founder, Brent Harvey produced his first music event at age fifteen. “The Second Annual People’s Festival” took place in downtown Anchorage, AK featuring twelve bands in twelve hours on two flatbed trucks and was featured on the front page of the Anchorage Daily News. At 17, he joined a band and toured for two years throughout Canada and the Western U.S. When the group disbanded, he was hired by one of the most successful and profitable club chains in southern California. The Red Onion Company became his “home” for the next fifteen years fulfilling multiple roles as DJ, entertainment manager, trainer, music programmer, talent buyer and ultimately, Entertainment Director. Brent started KBH Entertainment in 1993 as a small, live event production endeavor, booking live acts and promoting special nights in local area clubs. In 1995, Brent was asked to co-produce the 6th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards at The Roxy Theater. After the overnight success of this event, he was asked to continue producing the LAMAs, which he did until the year 2000, leaving a string of success stories that he brought to the regional awards such as Save Ferris, Zebrahead and Alien Ant Farm. In 1998, KBH began booking headline entertainment for national organizations, such as The Muscular Dystrophy Association, which still retains KBH for their marquee bookings. “The KBH Showcase Series” was started in 2004 as a proprietary affair to review artists seeking management. Now in its fourth year, this monthly showcase series has become a means for artists to be chosen for the Temecula International Film & Music Festival and be offered other opportunities, including label and publishing deals. Select industry professionals attend every KBH Showcase. In addition to booking services, Brent has been listed as one of the top ten artist managers in Los Angeles by Music Connection Magazine and was honored twice as “Manager of the Year” by the LA Music Awards in 1994 and 2003. Brent is also an experienced publicist, event producer and entertainment consultant to artists and various entities including film festivals, award shows and record labels.

MOSS JACOBS, VP OF TALENT, NEDERLANDER CONCERTS

Nederlander Concerts VP of Talent, Moss Jacobs is a concert industry veteran, known for mastering and promoting the unique attributes of mid-sized to large-sized venues to create memorable and high-yielding concerts with a wide variety of artists. Moss has produced the annual Bob Marley Day Festival in Los Angeles and San Diego for 25 years. The 3-day festival, which is held over President’s Day Weekend (Saturday/Sunday in LA and Monday in SD) draws more than 36,000 people annually and is the single largest reggae gathering in the US. Among national promoters, artist managers and agents, Moss is regarded as the most experienced and knowledgeable reggae promoter in the US. Reggae, however, is just a small portion of what Moss produces in a given year. In addition to over two decades of experience promoting concerts in Southern California, Moss has developed exceptional concert seasons in other secondary markets, most notably the Santa Barbara Bowl, where he has made the venue a must-play for major artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Santana, Pearl Jam, Gwen Stefani, Norah Jones, The Eagles and Aretha Franklin.

PETER KATSIS, SENIOR VP OF MUSIC, THE FIRM ENTERTAINMENT

Peter Katis has managed Korn since the beginning of the band’s career. He currently works with (co-manages) Enrique Iglesias, Snoop Dogg, Puddle of Mudd, One Republic and The Backstreet Boys. Past clients he has co-managed include Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Chris Cornell, Audioslave, Limp Bizkit and Staind among others.

ERIK KORAL, FOUNDER OF FAN MANAGER

FanManager founder, Erik Koral has been involved with grassroots promotion, guerrilla marketing, online viral marketing, and street team management for the last seven years. Erik started his career in music as the marketing director for jam-band superstars Particle in 2001 and he still works with them to this day. Erik formed his music marketing company, FanManager Marketing & Promotions, in March of 2005. FanManager has now grown to 17 clients including: Infected Mushroom, The Doors, G. Love & Special Sauce, Lyrics Born, PalTalk, Particle, Karl Denson Trio, The Marshall Tucker Band, John Densmore’s Tribaljazz, Mickey Hart, Steve Kimock, Reed Dollaz, ALO, Stephen Perkins, Delta Nove, Moonalice and Big Organ Trio. FanManager has also teamed up with Omotion.net to promote artists using the next generation of web marketing tools.

DAVID GORDONI, Nu UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT AGENCY

David Gordoni is a freelance booking agent for Nu Universal Entertainment Agency (NUEA pronounced New Way), a boutique talent agency founded by Jesse Kirshbaum in 2003. NUE Agency is creating a plan to help record labels and artists sell more music, promote merchandise, generate significant income from touring worldwide and develop corporate partnerships. As a talent agent, David has worked with a broad spectrum of artists crafting deals for Yung Berg, Swizz Beatz, Rich Boy, Hurricane Chris, MIMS, The Gray Kid, Team Facelift and John West among many others. David received a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California and went to work at William Morris Agency. He soon began assisting in the booking of numerous international and domestic tours under such WMA agents as Brian Edelman, Cara Lewis, Tony Goldring and Marc Geiger. In 2005, David joined the WMA Agent Trainee Program. He is known as the curator of the “Show List,” distributed weekly to over 1,000 industry colleagues. The “Show List” is a compilation of all the relevant Los Angeles area concerts coming up over the next 3-6 months. What was originally created to organize and schedule his personal life quickly became a popular and reliable way for the music industry to track upcoming concerts in the Los Angeles area.

PAM MOORE, THE HAPPY BOOKERS

Pam Moore is fifty percent of L.A. alt. country promoter duo, the Happy Bookers. She and her friend and booking partner, Kim Grant, have been the driving force supporting the alt. country scene in town through nights such as The Grand Ole Echo at the Echo and Town and Country Tuesday at El Cid. Pam learned the ropes of booking through putting together bills for her own bands, which over the years have included the Neptunas, Cheap Chick, Dime Box Band and her latest folly, Madame Pamita’s Parlor of Wonders. She and Kim bring a unique, energetic, humorous and radical perspective to booking having been on all sides of the process (being the booker, the bookee and the rabid show-goer) and champion a d.i.y. underground ethic as well as the hyper-talented bands they bring to the stage.

BRETT WILLIAMS, NEW NOISE MANAGEMENT

Brett Williams (New Noise Management) currently looks after Cold War Kids, Delta Spirit and Aushua. Brett began his career in the music industry as an 18 year old intern at Interscope in the international department. He continued at Interscope until graduation from college. After this, he worked in the retail/marketing department at The Militia Group/Sidecho Records. While at TMG/SC, his roommate and childhood friend, Nathan Willett began to take Cold War Kids (comprised of other childhood friends) off the ground. Brett, realizing that his friends were incredibly talented, immediately offered to jump in and began managing the band. As the pace and heat began to rise, Brett quit his job at TMG/SC to manage Cold War Kids full time. At the tender age of 23, in the summer of 2006, Brett found himself managing a knock-down drag-out record company bidding war consisting of 17 different labels. By the end of 2006, Cold War Kids had signed not only two split territory record deals but also two split territory publishing deals. Brett now finds himself managing the band and the business relationships he and the band foisted upon two entirely unrelated record companies. In 2006, Brett began managing Delta Spirit, a band that he encouraged to self-release their debut album (and just did so) after spurning more than one major label. In early 2007, Brett began working with a band called Aushua whom he is developing now.

More speaker profiles to follow.

NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal launched in July in San Francisco and in September in LA – top music attorneys negotiated a record agreement LIVE – and both events were packed and a great success. See articles on front page of this site for review and photos.

Now we bring this series to New York, launching on October 15 with top music biz attorneys and a personal artist manager.

Most people think they can just hand a negotiation to a lawyer, and leave it at that. But the truth is, as a professional, you need to be aware of the process and deal points, too, and what the short- and long-term implications to your artists’ careers may be.

Now, in Part I (in New York) of this special series, two top lawyers and an artist manager face off in a live negotiation of a record agreement in NARIP’s Art of the Music Deal. These experts come together to give you the inside track on major deal points, what they mean and what leverage you have to negotiate the best possible deal.

Most importantly, you will see HOW a record deal is negotiated and be involved in the process.

Get educated about the art of deal making!


YOU WILL LEARN

When it’s the right time to make a deal

Major areas of negotiation, including:

• Artist Advance / Recording Fund
• Terms & Options
  
• Controlled Composition Clause
• Guaranteed Release Clause
• Pay or Play Clause
• Cross-Collateralization
• CD reduction, packaging deductions and “fake” free goods deductions
• Tour support / marketing and promotion commitment (videos, etc.)
• Artist royalty and royalties payable on foreign sales

• Free Goods
• Recoupable Expenses
• Royalty Deductions
• Merchandising
• Exclusivity

Jim Cooperman, Chief Operating Officer / Executive Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, Wind-up Entertainment has been instrumental in designing and implementing the strategic path of the company over the last several years. He was formerly the EVP, Business and Legal Affairs prior to becoming the COO for Wind-up Entertainment. In addition to overseeing Business and Legal Affairs, Cooperman oversees A&R Administration, Human Resources, Operations, International, Publishing, Licensing and Pronto, the company’s merchandising concern.

Prior to joining Wind-up, Cooperman was the Co-General Counsel and SVP, Legal and Business Affairs at BMG. In this position, he was actively involved in devising and actualizing online and wireless opportunities, handled business affairs for BMG Distribution and BMG Strategic Marketing Group, and spearheaded new royalty initiatives. He also contributed to pan-label transactions such as on-line catalog licenses, and multi-label joint ventures. Prior, Cooperman headed up business and legal affairs for RED Distribution and its sister labels Relativity Records, LOUD Records, and Edel North America, in addition to positions early in his legal career at RCA Records and the law firm of Kaye, Scholer.

RACHEL COX

Rachel Cox began her career in the film industry as an actor and filmmaker. While studying film at Columbia University, she interned for James Schamus at Focus Features (who also happened to be her thesis advisor at Columbia) and Mary Jordan’s Tongue Press (notable for the Tribeca Film Festival documentary selection “Jack Smith & the Destruction of Atlantis”). A week after graduating, through the referral of a classmate (a cousin of Wyclef Jean’s), she became a full-time employee of legendary manager David Sonenberg at his boutique firm, DAS Communications. She rose in just over a year from receptionist/assistant to a full-fledged artist manager, who has worked with Fergie, The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Joan Osborne, The Disco Biscuits, The Veronicas, The Bacon Brothers, Ryan Shaw and Paris’ newest sensation, Rock & Roll (who play a CMJ showcase at Mercury Lounge on Wed Oct 17 at 7pm.), among others. Her client Zack Hagan plays Sputnik in Brooklyn on Friday Nov 2nd at the inaugural Just Dance! party. For details & free entry, email fullmoon.justdance@gmail.com

DAVID M. EHRLICH

David M. Ehrlich, Esq. is a member of the entertainment practice at the law firm of Abrams Garfinkel Margolis and Bergson, LLP, where he is Of Counsel. He is also a principal in DME Management, a personal management company that represents artists and producers. David is involved in all facets of the entertainment industry and is particularly involved in the area of music as it relates to “new media.” David re-established his law practice after serving as VP/General Manager East Coast for Priority Records, label in the EMI Music Group. Before joining Priority, David was an attorney and personal manager where he represented Grammy winning artists and producers such as Nickelback, Dilated Peoples, Bob Power, Prince Paul, and Dale Penner, as well as Gravediggaz (Gee Street/Island), RZA (Gee Street/Island), and Holly McNarland (Universal). David is also the founder and president of the music publishing company Infamous Beats Music, which was established as a joint venture with Famous Music Publishing, a division of Viacom Entertainment. David serves as an independent talent scout, and most notably discovered and shopped the multi-platinum recording artists Nickelback, whom he signed to then independent Roadrunner Records.

Prior to establishing his own practice David was an associate at the entertainment law firm of Myman, Abell, Fineman, Greenspan & Light in Los Angeles. He also worked as an attorney in the Business Affairs department of EMI Records in New York and as an associate at the firm of Epstein Becker and Green, P.C. David earned his J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1986, and his Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell University in 1982. He is admitted to the bar in New York and Connecticut. Other career achievements include producing the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film “Training Day” starring Denzel Washington. David consults with clients on a number of issues in the video gaming industry as well as the development of content and intellectual property rights for mobile distribution. Current clients of David and his firm include Katharine McPhee, Jennifer Hudson, Nate “Danja” Hills, Bob Power, Victor Wooten, the Wayan Brothers, Ana Gasteyer, and John Tesh. Corporate clients include TVT Records and Music Nation.

• Artist Advance / Recording Fund
• Terms & Options
  
• Controlled Composition Clause
• Guaranteed Release Clause
• Pay or Play Clause
• Cross-Collateralization
• CD reduction, packaging deductions and “fake” free goods deductions
• Tour support / marketing and promotion commitment (videos, etc.)
• Artist royalty and royalties payable on foreign sales

• Free Goods
• Recoupable Expenses
• Royalty Deductions
• Merchandising
• Exclusivity

DINA LaPOLT

Dina LaPolt is an entertainment attorney at LaPolt Law, P.C. in Los Angeles. LaPolt Law is a boutique entertainment firm that specializes in representing clients in the music, merchandising, film, television, and book publishing industries. The firm’s clientele include recording artists, independent record companies, music publishers, songwriters, producers, managers, executives in the music and film industries, film production companies, photographers, directors, writers, authors, and actors. In addition to practicing law, Dina teaches “Legal and Practical Aspects of the Recording and Publishing Industries” in the Entertainment Studies Department at UCLA Extension and speaks regularly on panels at music industry conferences all over the country. On the film production side, Dina was the co-producer of the 2005 Academy Award-nominated documentary film entitled Tupac: Resurrection and she is currently co-producing a feature film entitled Live 2 Tell. For more information on Dina LaPolt or her firm, please log on to www.LaPoltLaw.com.

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The National Association of Record Industry Professionals promotes career advancement, education and good will
among record executives.