Jamaican Delegation Returns From MIDEM Optimistic About Business

(JAN. 30, 2007, Kingston)

Members of the Jamaican delegation returning from the recently concluded MIDEM 2007 in Cannes, France are optimistic that they have struck the right note in terms of reaping business and learning about new trends in music. A number of companies are reporting that they have forged or are close to finalizing deals relating to distribution, publishing and marketing for the artistes, labels and institutions they represent.

MIDEM held from January 21-25, 2007 saw Jamaica fielding its largest ever delegation of over 20 companies and 50 individuals involved in a range of businesses along the music value chain.

“Jamaican companies generated a lot of interest and business at the trade show and we have learned many lessons about the global trends in the music industry which should help to further develop our industry, ” notes Kirk Kennedy, Executive Director of Markets at the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) who headed the Jamaican delegation. The delegation which included recording studios, digital aggregation and distribution companies, training institutions, industry organizations and artiste management companies was made possible through funding assistance by the European Union/Government of Jamaica Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

Sean Scott, a Director of Rebelmix, a digital music distribution company said “MIDEM 2007 was a very successful event for Rebelmix.”

“By the close of the week we had entered into new agreements with mobile retailers in UK, Germany, South Africa, India,  USA and Japan which will vastly expand our network of retailers and partners.   With revenue from mobile downloads representing a large percentage of digital revenue, these deals should go a long way in improving our product offering and truly set us apart as the number one option for global digital distribution of Caribbean content, he said thanking JAMPRO and PSDP for their support leading up to and throughout the week of MIDEM.

Describing his company’s participation in MIDEM as a success, Michael Dillon of Shang Records, said that the 15-year-old Record Company which has been responsible for the careers of artistes such as Shabba Ranks, Mad Cobra, and Patra, is reviewing a number of proposals for distribution, licensing, talent and promotional deals. The company currently manages Face-t, Kymani Marley, Richie Stephens and jointly manages with Geejams Studios Alborosie.

“There were a couple deals that we could have nailed down ( at MIDEM), but we need to review them, because we did not want to rush into anything,” Mr. Dillon stated.

Oliver Panton, CEO of Mojams Entertainment which manages among others local hip hop artiste, Tony Fisher said that his company averaged some 15 meetings per day over the three-days of the trade show. He said he has made good connections with regard to hammering out distribution and other deals for the artistes under his management.

But beyond the deals for artistes and record companies, Jamaica’s music services also received a boost out of MIDEM.

Jamaica Signature Beats, a consortium of 20 of Jamaica’s most talented music producers, studios, artistes/musicians and film producers who have joined forces to provide technical and creative expertise to the international music industry, is also reporting a positive outcome from MIDEM.

Robert Henner, Consultant to the JSB disclosed that the trade show offered some great prospects for business. “We had some 39 meetings with persons from the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan out of which we signed 25 Memoranda of Understanding”.

“We came with the objective to market our services to the international community by building up a global network of representatives in a number of strategic markets who can promote and sell the high quality music and film industry services that Jamaica has to offer,” he said. JSB is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded programme under the Jamaica Exporter Association (JEA) Competitiveness Company.

Mr. Henner said the “plan is to narrow down the 25 leads to between five and 10 persons who JSB will engage on a cost-sharing and commission basis, to refer business to Jamaican providers of creative industry services,” adding that the key now was aggressive follow up.

Kenesha Nooks, Marketing and Promotions Co-ordinator, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) said that the organization had a very successful MIDEDM, pretty much achieving the objectives set. “Our objective was clear, we wanted to get both digital and other traditional distribution deals for things such as our music catalogue, and we did that and more,“ she said.

In addition, Miss Nooks stated, there was interest from persons who wanted to partner on the JCDC Popular Song and Gospel Competitions by providing prizes and distribution contracts. “There were also offers for promotional deals by a number of concert organizers both internationally and from other Jamaican booking agencies in the Jamaican contingent.” she said.

Referring to the prospects for Omar Reid, the JCDC 2006 Popular Song Contest Winner who opened the Sounds of Jamaica Night Showcase in Cannes, she disclosed that he received positive feedback and is now in discussions with two international companies showing a keen interest in him doing albums.

Lloyd Stanbury, Entertainment Attorney and Managing Director of Caribbeat Entertainment said “MIDEM 2007 was very good when compared to my previous visits”. The presence of Shaggy on the Sounds of Jamaica showcase as well as the large group of companies participating in the Jamaica stand brought greater focus on the Jamaican delegation, he said.

Mr. Stanbury said his meetings generated significant interest in the artistes and the labels he represented.

“There were also very positive inquiries with regard to the re-launch of the Caribbean Music Expo ( CME) and the staging of the first International Reggae Industry Awards ( IRI Awards) which is planned for 2008,” he said

He added that despite the set back of (MIDEM) placing the Sounds of Jamaica showcase in too small a venue, resulting in hundreds of MIDEM delegates and prospective Reggae business partners missing the show, persons visited him at the booth after the concert and he is looking forward to closing several deals for licensing, music publishing and concert tours over the next few weeks"

Vernita Fort, Advisor to the Principal of the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts and Howard McIntosh of the Media, Sports and Entertainment Group who both attended the trade show said MIDEM provided a great forum to network and attract business.

Miss Fort who got a chance to meet with, among other major music industry players, the President of Universal and also a top player from ECM, said there were now greater prospects for students of the College to receive music contracts, be exposed to the business side of the music, and for the college to have a direct connection into a niche market needing alternative sounds coming out of Jamaica.