Man v Machine: Data Science and the Future of A&R
This session will cover the role and impact of data science in music discovery for both independent and major labels. Hear how algorithms are predicting the success of an artist, what metrics are most effective at this, and how the future of A&R is being altered by big data.
Presenters
Jacob Fain is the Director of East Coast Pop & Rock A&R for SonyATV Music Publishing. SonyATV is the #1 Publishing company worldwide working with artists and songwriters from all music genera including some of the worlds most iconic musicians. While at SonyATV Jacob has signed such acts as Passion Pit, Of Monsters and Men and Capital Cities.
At SonyATV, Jacob also overseas an A&R Analytic program measuring market data from a variety of sources to help determine the potential longevity of an artist. This is a program that he has helped pioneer at SonyATV he works closely with Sony's label division through the program as well.
Previously to SonyATV, Jacob worked on the record label side of the business at Universal Republic Records.
Alex White co-founded Next Big Sound in 2008, while in his last semester at Northwestern University. The analytics service measures daily music consumption and purchase decisions around the globe. From Facebook fans to sales, Next Big Sound combines artist activity with context to help the modern music industry make decisions.
White and his co-founders have been featured in Billboard (10 best music companies) New York Times, CNN, Forbes (30 under 30), Techcrunch, BusinessWeek (25 under 25) and more.
Next Big Sound works with thousands of customers, from individual artists to major labels, and licenses two charts to Billboard magazine. In 2012 the start-up announced a $6.5 million dollar series A financing from IA Ventures, Foundry Group, SofttechVC and other notable angel investors.
Friday, March 15
