MIDEM Hits Key Notes

Annual industry bash Midem has announced the first trio of keynote names confirmed for the 2016 conference programme.

They are Neil Warnock, head of music worldwide at United Talent Agency, Gao Xiaosong, Chairman of China’s Alibaba Music Group and music supervisor at Saturday Music, Mary Ramos, who will all be taking part in keynote Q and A interviews.

Warnock, whose career spans five decades working with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton said: “The opportunities presented by the internationalisation of the music business are huge. Thanks to digital tools, fans are everywhere and it has become key for artists and their teams to have an international strategy. I am very excited to be speaking at Midem as it is a great opportunity to meet key players from around the world in a single place”.

Interestingly, Mary Ramos has worked with numerous high profile directors including Quentin Tarantino, with whom she collaborated on Pulp Fiction (pictured), Inglorious Basterds, Django Unchained and both Kill Bill movies. Ramos will talk about the international sync market, the practicalities of licensing and her latest projects.

Ramos commented: “Synchronisation is a growing segment of the music market and sync deals can provide a stable and significant source of additional revenues to labels and publishers. I am pleased to participate in Midem 2016 and share my vision on the business today and what are the creative and commercial considerations involved in programming the music for Tarantino’s movies”.

Organised by Reed MIDEM, the trade event again takes place in Cannes, France this year from June 3rd-6th. Find out more here.