The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and YouTube Music have unveiled the second wave of successful applicants for the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers.
This year’s 20 participants are drawn from across the UK and represent 66 artists, songwriters and producers – from drill rappers and heavy rock bands to experimental instrumental groups and award-winning jazz ensembles.
They include managers of acts shortlisted for the BRIT Awards Rising Star, the BBC Sound of 2020, BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Hot for 2020 and the Mercury Prize.
The full list of participants can be viewed here.
Developed by the MMF, Accelerator is supported by YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA).
The 12-month program offers up to £15,000 in financial support, specialist training sessions delivered in partnership with CMU Insights and Music Ally, as well as mentoring from established managers and industry leaders and the opportunity to attend conferences worldwide.
A survey of more than 180 managers from the MMF’s 2019 report Managing Expectations revealed that 56% of respondents earned less than £10,000 per annum from music management, with almost half relying on full or part-time work in other areas of the music and creative industries.
Initially launched in 2019, 24 up-and-coming managers have already completed the Accelerator Programme.
Over 12 months, these individuals increased the number of artist/writer/producer clients they represent by over 20% – from 44 to 54 – while building new partnerships across the live, recorded and music publishing sectors.
“With the backing of YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the SMIA, the goal of Accelerator is to help these individuals grow their business, build their network and develop their skillsbase.”
Paul Bonham, MMF
Paul Bonham, Accelerator Programme Manager at the MMF, said: “I am delighted to welcome another 20 managers onto the Accelerator Programme.
“The quality of applications was, yet again, ridiculously strong, but after a tough and competitive selection process we have another seriously high calibre group onboard.
“It’s especially pleasing to have more female managers involved, more managers from BAME backgrounds and more managers from outside of London.
Added Bonham: “With the backing of YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the SMIA, the goal of Accelerator is to help these individuals grow their business, build their network and develop their skillsbase.
“These people are already playing a linchpin role in British music. They’re supporting 66 of our most impressive and progressive music makers, and going forward we want them to add to these rosters and empower their clients to the greatest possible success.”
“We were over the moon to see so many success stories coming out of the last 12 months of the programme and cannot wait to see what the new Class of 2020 will go on to achieve.”
Roz Mansfield, YouTube Music
Roz Mansfield, Artist Partnerships Manager, YouTube Music, said: “We believe passionately in the importance of managers in developing the next wave of UK talent.
“YouTube Music is proud to be continuing our partnership with the Music Managers Forum on the Accelerator Programme, which has proven to be a game-changer in providing emerging managers the opportunity to hone their skills and focus on their business.
“We were over the moon to see so many success stories coming out of the last 12 months of the programme and cannot wait to see what the new Class of 2020 will go on to achieve.”
Dougal Perman, Executive Chair, Scottish Music Industry Association, said: “I’m delighted that, with support from Creative Scotland, the Scottish Music Industry Association can continue to contribute to the valuable Accelerator programme.
We were delighted by the results of the 2019 programme and are excited by the potential for 2020.
“Involvement in the programme is strategically important to us as part of our development objective; helping music businesses become more successful and nurturing a financially sustainable industry in Scotland.
“Working with MMF and its partners on Accelerator strengthens our links with the rest of the UK for trade and collaboration. I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing the results of Accelerator 2020.”
“This project is a great way to enable these people to hone their skills and build the relationships that will ensure future success for our sector.”
Clive Gillman, Creative Scotland
Clive Gillman, Director of Creative Industries at Creative Scotland, said: “A strong music sector needs skilled and ambitious people to be active at all stages of the process.
“Supporting the development of music managers will, in turn, help to grow and sustain the talent we know we have in Scotland.
“This project is a great way to enable these people to hone their skills and build the relationships that will ensure future success for our sector.”
The 2020 Accelerator participants are:
- Ameena Badley, The Ko-Lab (Birmingham) – Smuggzy Ace, Mowgli, A Class
- Andrew Ellis, Samizdat (Liverpool) – Immix Ensemble, Vessel, Rakhi Singh
- Ashley Perry, Ozone Music (Luton) – Nafe Smallz, Jibsta
- Bobby Brown (Brighton) – Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn, Karl Benjamin
- Charlie Owen (London) – Joy Crookes
- Christopher Grey, Problem Child (London) – Nyge, Gibbo, Clonez, Paige Lihya
- Clare Wright, (London) – JFDR, ESYA, Sons of Raphael, Okandi
- Conor Ferris, Narrative Management (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) – InVisions, Captives, IMMERSE
- Denise Allan, 677 Management (Glasgow) – Glasvegas, Freakwave, Steph Johnston
- Earl Bailey, Frontlinzz (Coventry) – Pa Salieu, Mugun, Andrwea, Flava, Jam
- Gaius Mavila (London) – House of Pharaohs, DamnShaq
- Jade Richardson, Jade-Inc (Birmingham) – Khloe Anna, DameDame, Madara Beatz, Digital Mozart
- Jasmine Srih, Obscura Artists (London) – KEYAH/BLU, BBZ, Martha, Sippin’ T, AZADI.mp3
- Jazz Rocket, 67 Artists (London) – Yo Preston, Tinx, Tylr Rydr, Hakon, Xandr Fox & O.X.X.
- Kaiya Milan, Off Balance, (London) – Afronaut Zu, Steam Down, Ahnansé
- Louis Curran, From Concentrate Music (London) – Quiet Man, Joy Anonymous, MEI
- Lyle Scougall, Mañana Music Management (Glasgow) – Joesef, t e s t p r e s s
- Megan Burns, Tone Management (Liverpool) – Palm Reader, T.A.R.L.D
- Pip Newby, Friends Vs Music (London) – Honeyvale, Cherry Cherry, Al Groves, Ben Mclusky, Darren Lawson, Henry Brill, Rocky O’Reilly, Owen Lewis, Sean Oakley, Simon Byrt, St£fan, Steven A Griffiths
- Tim Hampson, Cannibal Management (London) – Dream Wife, Out Girl, Willie J Healey, Dry Cleaning
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