Creative Ideas to Maximize Merch Sales
Hear non-traditional advice and first-hand experience on how artists and brands of today are creating merchandise-driven revenue streams. Examine creative ideas for branded merchandising, from 360 major label record deals, to simply leveraging social media to market merch, working the merch booth, and extending the experience beyond the point of sale.
Presenters
Amanda "Precise" McIntyre-Chavis has worked on artist development projects for Loud Records, Warner Music Group, Def Jam, Universal and BMG. Amanda has also had the pleasure of working with actress/rapper Queen Latifah, actor Wesley Snipes, Sum 41, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, P.O.D, Pink, M.O.P, Three Six Mafia and other globally known artists. She currently works for EMI/Capitol Music Group in Mechanical Licensing and is the active CEO of LegendFactory.
Specialties: Strategic Marketing, Artist Management, Artist Development, Branding and Identity, Contractual Law, Project Management, Event Planning
Vince Wilburn, Jr. is on these panels:
Thursday, March 14 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. #15
Miles Davis Booteg 2: The Lost Quintet
Saturday, March 16 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Creative Ideas To Maximize Merch Sales
BIO:
Vince Wilburn, Jr., nephew of late jazz icon Miles Davis, oversees Miles Davis Properties, LLC, along with Erin Davis (son of Miles) and Cheryl Davis (daughter of Miles). Wilburn, Jr. is a highly accomplished drummer and producer, who has both toured and recorded with Miles on many legendary recordings from 1984 through 1987, including: The GRAMMY-Award winning album "AURA" -- which he co-produced; "Decoy" - which he also co-produced; "You’re Under Arrest", and the 2008 GRAMMY nominated "Miles From India" – which hit #8 on the Billboard jazz charts. Wilburn, Jr. also toured internationally with the All-Star “Miles From India” ensemble to sell-out crowds.
More recently, Wilburn, Jr. performed with the Miles Electric Band at a sold-out Hollywood Bowl event in June 2012, to celebrate the launch of the USPS and La Post (France) issued Miles Davis/Edith Piaf Forever stamps. The stamp has sold more than 23 million units to date, and is by far the top selling celebrity stamp of 2012.
Wilburn, Jr. is a key participant on industry panels taking place at the GRAMMY Museum, SXSW and CMJ, in addition to partnering with Apple for their “Meet The Musicians” series at Apple SoHo. He recently co-hosted Miles Davis House at SXSW with Erin Davis, featuring the widest cross genre of emerging buzzbands hitting Austin.
In 1989, he founded Nefdrum Productions and has been busy with numerous projects, featuring all-star performances by music icons Billy Preston, Ray Parker, Jr., Darryl Jones, Charley Drayton, Ivan Neville, Wah Wah Watson, Freddie Washington, Randy Hall and Phil Upchurch among others.
He is currently assembling a full length hip-hop, remix tribute to honor the classic recordings of Miles Davis. This was influenced by the great success of a re-mix EP that he co-produced with Nas and Santana called “Evolution of the Groove.” He serves as Executive Producer of the forthcoming Miles Davis motion picture starring Don Cheadle, which will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, and Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter will score the film. Wilburn, Jr. is also an active member of NARAS,
Simi Dube has been doing radio promotion at A&M/Octone for over six years, working closely with a diverse array of artists, including: Maroon 5, K'NAAN, Churchill, Drop City Yacht Club, Hollywood, Undead, Bombay Bicycle Club and more. Prior gigs include radio promotion at the RCA Music Group, Columbia Records, and she got her start interning at Clear Channel Radio in San Francisco. She uses the word "amazing" entirely too much.
Young rocker Zachary James, with his born-to-be-a-frontman, lanky, long-haired look, presents a fresh spin on classic rock ‘n’ roll, both sonically and visually. Towering from the stage at 6’7” (topping out quintessential spindly singer Joey Ramone by over an inch), James turns heads with his infectious good time rock ’n’ roll & his striking looks.
“While on a recent tour with Far East Movement and Lil’ Wayne, James was affectionately nicknamed ‘That ‘70s Show’, due to his retro-rocker image. But the inspiration extends further than just the physical. There is a kinship to the era, body mind and soul.” -Guitar World Magazine
Now just 23, James has been hell-bent on a rock revival for nearly a decade. At the tender age of 15, James collaborated with Grammy-award winning producer Matt Hyde (Slayer, No Doubt, Monster Magnet, Sublime, Porno for Pyros). He released his first 7” vinyl single “Can’t Stop Drinkin’ ‘Bout You” before he graduated high school on acclaimed Gearhead Records. The label—responsible for launching the careers of The Hives & The Donnas, and home to rock royalty New Bomb Turks & The Hellacopters—also released James’ first full-length album,Thunderboys…are GO!.
"Classic rock-sounding songs….new and improved for the new millennium." -VC Star
Later that year, James independently released the full-length album All Seeing Eyes, with critics hailing it as an “inspired and masterful production.” In support of the album, Zachary James did a two week long tour of the west coast.
“[With All Seeing Eyes], James clearly has a heart-on for the ’70s, but what sets the band apart, are the unexpected nods to early blues along with liberal use of piano, sweet harmonies and soulful backing vocals that are folded into shiny pre-punk glam.” -VC Reporter
James went on to form his current solo project, Zachary James & The All Seeing Eyes, and is finalizing a new full length album inspired by James’ interstellar affection for cosmic rock ‘n’ roll. Addressing themes of space, specters and the supernatural with a playful synth-infused glam-rock twist, the album showcases James’ songwriting prowess. For this forthcoming release, Zachary James worked at renowned Henson Studios in Los Angeles alongside Kevin Mills (Michael Bublé, Tom Morello, Céline Dion, No Doubt, Bruce Springsteen, Velvet Revolver, Gwen Stefani).
Alexandra Starlight is a Los Angeles based musician & songwriter. Throughout her career, she has worked with producers such as Jeff Saltzman (The Killers, The Sounds), Bob Cutarella (Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Madonna, Joss Stone, Keith Richards), Paul LaMalfa (Brian Wilson, Colbie Caillat, Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn, Mariah Carey), Kevin Mills (Michael Bublé, Tom Morello, Céline Dion, No Doubt, Bruce Springsteen, Velvet Revolver, Gwen Stefani).
She has performed for film & TV, including David Letterman, The Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary Tour Documentary alongside Elton John, The Black Keys, Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, Pete Townshend & more, Fox 11 News' Good Day LA, San Diego 6’s “San Diego Living,” and will appear in the Smithsonian syndicated “Frock Stars” March 2013. She has graced the stages with artists such as as Semi-Precious Weapons, Dick Dale, Vince Wilburn Jr. (Miles Davis' nephew) Amy LaVere, Trixie Whitley, and more.
Starlight got her start in the Los Angeles music scene in 2004, when she joined The Holograms in support of their release "Night of 1000 Ex Boyfriends," produced by Blag Dahlia (The Dwarves) and Bradley Cook (Foo Fighters/The Ataris). Called "bubblegum rock & roll for grrrl-power girls" by the LA WEEKLY, their single "Are You Ready for It" was named one of the Coolest Garage Songs by Little Steven's Underground Garage column and charted on the top 10 Billboard Magazine garage rock chart hit.
She then formed The Hollywood Harlots in 2006. The recording project landed Starlight a deal with producer Jeff Saltzman (The Killers, The Sounds).
Her latest release, "Alexandra & The Starlight Band" has charted on multiple non-commercial radio stations, reaching as high as #2 and has earned her accolades in the press, from Guitar World, The Metro, Record Collector (UK), The San Diego Tribune, The Examiner, Goldmine Magazine, and more.
Saturday, March 16
