I will be moderating a discussion this Friday at Babson’s Entrepreneurship Forum on Distruption in the Music Industry. This year’s 11th annual forum is following a theme of Celebrating Entrepreneurs of All Kinds. From an acclaimed singer/songwriter and a young man fighting gang violence through his non-profit organization to a designer/entrepreneur whose shoes are worn by Lady Gaga and Beyonce, we are showcasing entrepreneurship from every angle.
Here are the questions we will be discussing:
What is an music entrepreneur today? What is is like to be an artist, a manager, agent or music business person in the current music ecosystem? What drives you?
How is the music business different from other exciting startup businesses today? What are the challenges and what are the advantages?
What do you think about the state of the music industry? Apple, Pandora, Spotify, Live Nation, Music Apps. Where are we headed?
There has been a lot of talk about a “level playing field” having been created in the music industry with the advent of free music, file sharing and streaming. The argument goes something like – there is more music being consumed and created today than ever before in history. Anyone can make a record in their bedroom. – Is the field level? Has it ever been?
What is your business model?
How will musicians make money in the future? What types of business structures do these creative professionals need around them?
What’s it going to take to bring stability to the music industry and create efficient business models that match consumers behavior and expectations?
What are opportunities for the entrepreneur today in music?
The event features three tracks: People, Trends, and Skills. Each track explores entrepreneurship through a different lens. The People track connects attendees to speakers through a series of short talks, featuring the unique stories of our diverse group of successful entrepreneurs. The Trends track brings in a combination of entrepreneurs, executives, academics, and policy advisors to explore relevant entrepreneurial trends. Finally, the Skills track provides hands-on training for attendees in search of interactive sessions designed to provide skills applicable to any business venture.
Is this going to be streamed online? Paul