A&R 2019: Gut Instinct vs. Data

Mar 14, 2019

2:00pm – 3:00pm CT

A&R used to stand for Artist & Repertoire. Today it stands for Analytics & Research. How has this shift impacted what drives A&R decisions in 2018? What would happen if we missed the next Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monkeys or Johnny Cash because they didn’t have enough Spotify plays or Instagram likes?

This panel will be a discussion about gut instinct vs. data. Are labels and publishers using data to inform artist signings instead of allowing it to dictate their decisions? How are A&R teams using metrics to make recommendations to roster artists on their labels for future songs/albums? Do streaming music economics allow labels and publishers to take more chances with artists? What has changed in the world of A&R and what has remained the same?

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

photo of Emmy Black
Emmy Black

Rhyme & Reason Records

photo of Alyssa Castiglia
Alyssa Castiglia

Island Records

photo of Craig Snyder
photo of Drew Thurlow
Drew Thurlow

Sony Music Entertainment

Primary Access
Music Badge
Platinum Badge
Artist Wristband
Secondary Access
Film Badge
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