Music Commission News

We’re excited to announce our Music PR & Promo 101 seminar, where we will be demystifying all things around how to promote your music releases, live gigs and artist brand.

Presented by NZ On Air and NZ Music Commission, the seminar will be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch at the Spark Place in Tūranga on Saturday 17 August, to coincide with the Go Live Festival 2024.

Our confirmed panel consists of moderator Rachel Ashby (NZ Music Commission) who will be guiding the conversation, joined by panellists Annemarie Duff (Cusp Studios), Chris Close (Winegum Records) and Hannah Powell (Music Journalist). Read more about them below.

The panel will be offering tips on what marketing and promo you can do yourself, demystifying what an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) is, how to write a press release and contact media, what promo tools are essential, social media plans, media training, and offering release and strategy tips.

After the seminar there will also be time to meet and chat with the speakers.

Just click on the button below to head straight to the registration page. Please note: spaces are limited, and registrations close on Friday 16 August.

NZ On Air and NZ Music Commission present Music PR & Promo 101 Seminar
When: Saturday 17 August 2024
Where: Spark Place, Tūranga – 60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011
RSVP: https://forms.gle/hBURLhsaikR1aM8k8

Please note: spaces are limited, and registrations close on Friday 16 August.

Music PR & Promo Panellists

Annemarie Duff — Director, Cusp Studios
Annemarie heads up Cusp Studio, a digital marketing company based in Ōtautahi. Serving various clients throughout Australasia, Cusp Studio works with musicians to build digital marketing campaigns and strategy from releases to tour marketing.

Chris Close — Winegum Records
Chris is an Ōtautahi drummer, tour promoter, and label owner who has developed a reputation for his exceptional ability to nurture and elevate fellow musicians. Initially starting out playing in local Christchurch bands, Chris quickly took on the dreaded admin roles of organising gigs and releases for his bands. What started as a side-hustle has now turned into a growing record label and music management outfit, Winegum Records.

Chris is a passionate advocate for the Ōtautahi music scene, his unwavering work ethic and dedication make him a respected advocate and invaluable asset to the music industry and the artists he works with.

Hannah Powell — Music Journalist
Hannah is a music journalist, podcast host, writer, and Comms and PR advisor. She currently freelances for Rolling Stone AU/NZ, is the music editor for Yo Vocal magazine, and hosts her podcast The Smoko Show with RDU 98.5FM. Hannah spends her 9-5 working at Ōtautahi Comms and PR agency Great Scott doing meaningful mahi for a variety of clients.

Rachel Ashby — New Zealand Music Commission
Rachel Ashby is a broadcaster, music journalist and arts writer based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. Until recently the host of the 95bFM Breakfast show, which she has hosted since 2019, she is also a contributor for outlets including RNZ and Sunday Magazine. Rachel is passionate about accessibility and equity in music spaces and is a facilitator of the youth empowerment organisation Girls Rock Aotearoa. Rachel is also the Capabilities Coordinator at the NZ Music Commission.

Schedule:
Doors Open: 2:30pm
Seminar: 3.00 – 4.00pm
Event finish: 4.30pm

Topics that will be covered:
– Planning – Creating a release timeline to know when to service your music to the right people and how to plan it.
– Release and Strategy – Tips on how to effectively release music and what artists need to do pre- and post-release.
– Electronic Press Kit (EPK) – What is an EPK and what do artists need to include in one to be prepared for an upcoming release.
– Marketing and Promotion – how to create a Press Release, contact media, best practice for social media posts and digital marketing.
– Interviews – what can you expect at a media interview and how can artists prepare for them.

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