Secrets to Fan Engagement: Innovative Strategies
As an artist, you've got to build social media outlets, create a mailing list, play at venues, and distribute music to build traction. While those methods are essential, they're only the first level of the equation. Today, venues and artists are experimenting with "out of the box" strategies to engage their fans, including creating their own virtual tours, podcasts, radio and TV programs, mobile phone applications, surveys, contests, giveaways, and blogs. Find out some of the newest technologies that make it easier for venues and artists to engage with fans, and get insight on how to build a gigantic fan base around the world.
Presenters
VALERIE GURKA is a business strategist, marketing director, event planner, music/TV producer, songwriter, performer and digital media specialist. She has produced industry showcases, worked with a variety of different bands, and hosted her own business talk show. As the Marketing Director at The Knitting Factory, she merges music and media with marketing and business strategies.
Lou Plaia
Co-Founder/EVP Music Industry Relations, ReverbNation
In 2006, LOU PLAIA co-founded ReverbNation which acts as the global “home base” of more than 1.8 million artists, managers, labels, venues, festival/event promoters and other music industry professionals, helping them grow their reach and business across the Internet. We provide artists and those that support them, with powerful marketing and business tools to compete in the social media age, as well as offering high-quality opportunities for artists in the form of licensing deals, lucrative brand sponsorship programs and high-profile concert bookings.
Prior to ReverbNation, Plaia worked twelve years at Atlantic Records before becoming the Head of Marketing and Artist Development for Atlantic imprint, Lava Records, where he worked for four years with artists such as Kid Rock, O.A.R., Simple Plan, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Uncle Kracker, Unwritten Law, Skindred, Nonpoint and many others. He was also responsible for negotiating strategic partnerships such as Nascar's Chevy Rock n Roll 400, Schick's Intuition Tour, Disney's Grad Night and many other sponsorship deals.
Laura Wilson is the Talent Buyer for World Cafe Live. She has worked at the venue for 6 years and currently does bookings for two spaces, in Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE. She has previously worked for WXPN-FM, Cypher Press and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is a diehard traveler who will cross the globe for a good gig.
Lynda McLaughlin
Producer - Premiere Radio Networks
Founder/Partner - LYVA Music
LYNDA McLAUGHLIN is a Producer at Premiere Radio Networks, and Partner at LYVA Music LLC and Espresso Sounds Publishing. She has hosted radio programs at WABC Radio, and currently produces one of the most popular national radio programs in the country. Lynda has served as a lead reporter for the Digital Music Forum East, where she interviewed pioneers of both music and technology platforms. An expert and consultant in social media, Lynda helps artists through blogging, internet radio, video and exposure to new audiences.
Recently named to Digital Media Wire’s list of 25 Execs to Watch in Digital Entertainment for 2011, EVAN LOWENSTEIN launched StageIt with the goal of creating a Web-based platform that would empower artists to deliver and monetize interactive live experiences. While overseeing all aspects of this groundbreaking company as CEO, Lowenstein relies on his nearly 20 years of experience in the music industry as a recording artist, award-winning writer and executive.
Most recently, Lowenstein founded and served as President of HookUp Feed, a premier social networking and mobile marketing company whose clients include The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, American Airlines, Domino’s Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery. Lowenstein still remains involved with the company as a senior advisor.
Previously, he hosted USA Network’s Character Road Trip, a weekly series providing viewers with a peek into the greatest "characters" the country has to offer. Lowenstein was also a recording and touring artist with pop/rock band Evan and Jaron who scored three Top 40 hits, including the Top 10 song Crazy For This Girl.
Friday, March 16
