Plug In: music & digital media summit

Unsolicited review by Ashley Sambrooks

The Plug-in Summit is an interactive music & digital media exchange featuring professional demonstrations by the movers and shapers of the digital media industry. The unique ‘first of its kind’ summit was held at The Abbotsford Convent.

Kicking off the first day was Sharron Ashworth of Destra. Sharron took the small group of attendees through general information about Destra and the company’s impressive brand catalogue. She also discussed Destra’s two main revenue streams being; content sales and advertising sales. “Brands like Apple choose to advertise on our community sites such as MP3.com.au because they understand its demographic is relevant to their potential customers,” said Ashworth.

It was interesting to note that Destra have a HUGE 1.7 million tracks available through their footprint digital music stores, JB HI-FI, Harvey Normans etc. Sharron also expressed her ‘lack of love’ towards DRM protection, and that the average retail download price ($1.69 AUS) should be closer to a $1.00.

Up next was Bruce Joy, the brainchild/CEO of VastPark. VastPark is like taking a tour into the future of virtual worlds. Bruce discussed VastPark’s unique platform offerings to online communities and corporations. Bruce also touched on the importance of running formats for sharing content among different websites (RSS feeds), dynamic media, evolving media and wiki platforms.

Discussions became a little more communal and MUSIC focused when sitting down with Claire Stuchbery and Ruari Currin from PBS. Both speakers gave clear and precise insights on how things worked behind the scenes at community radio. Currin spoke of the CBAA’s (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia) lobbying for more digital radio licenses and the overall effects that digital radio will bring, the good the bad and the ugly.

The majority of questions and input from the audience seemed to of come from musicians and publicists. When Claire was asked the question, “if I was to service community radio, is it worth sending MP3 files as opposed to CD’s?” The response was short and sweet. “No, not really. CD’s are still the best way to be heard by community radio broadcasters.”

Stuart Buchanan from Australian Music Online was fantastic. He spoke from a middle ground while sharing his thoughts on how music is currently being consumed, via digital distribution channels, MySpace, LastFM and underground blogs. He then launched into new music models and trends, using the recent RadioHead platform as an example. Stuart was then joined by Stu Watter from AIR. The duo bounced off one another about how both independent and major acts MUST prepare for the future.
The beauty about attending the Plug-in Summit was hearing people passionately talk about their crazy innovative ideas to likeminded folks. It was time for Liveband.com.au to take the floor and from the word go everyone in the room began thinking in unison, shit, what an amazing idea! Like their active competitors in New Found Frequency, LiveBand.com.au records, produces, promotes and DIGITALLY distributes live concert recordings via their website.
Liveband.com.au’s Damian Hinks came across as an enthusiastic young entrepreneur open to both criticism and contributions voiced by the audience. He seemed confident in developing a successful online music model WITHOUT advertising revenues steering the ship.
Day two of the summit was a little more old school. Frank Rodi from APRA/AMCOS was extremely informative when answering the difficult questions in reference to music online.
Thanks to a wireless internet connection, Dorina Morelli (Roxie Music) discussed publishing in the digital age from a café in Canada. Dorina provided punters with a quick glance at traditional and new online publishing models. The bottom line message for musicians chasing a publishing deal was that you must be prepared, organised, patient and TALLENTED.
Mel Campbell from Jmag and industry veteran Christie Eliezer headed up a discussion about hype, buzz and all that jazz. There was a sigh of disgust (from the musos mostly) when Mel dropped the bomb about how NOTHING goes to press in Jmag without the Richard Kingsmill stamp of approval. “If he doesn’t like it, it doesn’t go to press, simple.” However, Christie provided the audience with some interesting examples of how to play the media and get the publicity needed in today’s competitive music scene.
In conclusion, the Plug-In Summit was a success, especially for those interested in developing new online business ideas. However, for the emerging artist, the message was; “the internet is the best way to grow, be heard and be seen,” which is great. But for indie artists seeking out NEW revenue streams, well, that’s a different story.

By Ashley Sambrooks
27th November 2007
ash@showoffrecordings.com

Feedback

"I was impressed by the range of speakers and their authority in their fields"
Mel Campbell, JMAG

"I really like the idea behind it. the idea of having a few talkers going at once, people coming in and out, everyone free to talk rather than just listen to someone give a speech. It’s like a “talkers festival” if you will."
Tom Harris - White Sky Music

Related links

Event

www.pluginsummit.com (official site)
www.flickr.com/photos/21330474@N04/2070159591/ (photo gallery)
www.decodemedia.com.au (presented by)
www.coveryourartz.com.au (presented by)
www.sessionsmusos.com.au (presented by)

Services

www.destra.com (digital media distribution)
www.ampheadmusic.com (digital music distribution)
www.whitesky.com.au (book keeping)
www.heapsaflash.com.au (publicity)

Industry

www.air.org.au
www.heapsaflash.com.au
www.cbaa.org.au

Cool stuff to check out

www.vastpark.com
www.liveband.com.au
www.lala.com
www.newmusicstrategies.com
www.reverbnation.com
www.digialsummit.com

Plug In: music & digital media summit 22 - 23 November has announced the second round of presenters who will share their thoughts on where the local music industry is heading in this digital age. The Summit also features international speakers via video links, Band Clinic - a unique mentoring program and Plug In Social set in the beautiful heritage gardens of the Abbotsford Convent. Tickets are on sale now at moshtix and the third round of presenters will be announced next week.

Speakers from Visual Jazz, LiveBand.com.au, APRA / AMCOS, Vroom, Session Musos, Mag Music Agency, Indie Initiative and Producer Haydn Buxton have been added to the line up of industry experts who will present at Plug In Summit. They are joined by industry experts from Destra Music, Amphead / The Orchard, PBS FM, 4 People Media, Community Engine, Australian Music Online, AIR, Decode, Moshtix, Ringtone Society, Cover Your Artz, Media Arts Lawyers, White Sky and Roxie Music who will present projections, discussion, workshops and panels on the convergence between music and advancing digital media.

THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER