Rihanna (Image: www.nationnews.com)

A high-level delegation from the local music industry will get an opportunity to further promote this country’s musical talent at the upcoming MIDEM international music expo in France.

MIDEM, the world’s largest and most prestigious entertainment expo, is slated to take place from January 18 to January 21, at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes. 

Invest Barbados’ Manager, and Senior Business Development Advisor, Jannette Babb, and Modou Diagne, respectively, will lead a delegation to the expo that includes: Chief Executive Officer of COSCAP, Erica Smith; Managing Director of CRS Music and Media, Derek Wilkie; Attorney-at-Law representing alternative music band Kite, Nick Nanton; Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Director of Pyramid Entertainment Management Inc, Santia Bradshaw and Ruel Ward, respectively; Chief Executive Officer of Got Rhythm Inc, Glenn White; Chief Executive Officer of Good Vybz Inc., Kirk Goodman,; and Chief Executive Officer of Hit Island Music, Kristen Broome. Courtney Phillips of E-Vision Concepts assisted Invest Barbados in the co-ordination of the event.

Highlighting the importance of exposing Barbados’ talent on the international front, Ms. Babb said: “One of the main objectives in attending the event is to highlight the range of music talent available in Barbados. Of equal importance, Barbados’ entire value proposition in international business to a captive audience of high net worth individuals connected to entertainment will be enhanced.”

Chief Executive Officer of Invest Barbados, Wayne Kirton, expressed a similar thought and pointed out: “Many people think of music as a product export, but the US $100 billion music industry is not only about sales, it’s also about services, technical skills like recording and digital mastering, artistes  and show management skills, and, of course, live performances. Rihanna’s remarkable success has put Barbados’ talent pool firmly on the map.”

Mr. Kirton also observed that Rihanna’s break-through on the international music scene had paved the way for other entertainers such as Hal Linton, Shontelle and Livvy Franc to gain some much needed exposure.

Apart from the success of some of the island’s talented artistes, he alluded to other spin-off opportunities.

“But, we think that there are opportunities to sell our services more …. for more international recording to be done in Barbados. Ronnie Morris and Russel Ruck with their Barbados Music Awards are also good examples of young Barbadian talent producing a world class show which is a service. It is because we can see the potential for exporting our Barbadian services that we are co-sponsoring this trip to MIDEM in association with the BIDC through its Technical Assistance Fund,” Mr. Kirton observed.

Each year, MIDEM attracts close to 9,000 of the world’s largest music recording labels, agents, publishers, promoters, online and traditional distributors, live music professionals and artiste managers, among others.

One of the highlights of the four-day expo will be a networking reception on January 18, where tax expert with Ernst and Young, Ben Arrindell, who is also the Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Associatio, will speak on the Advantages of Doing Business in Barbados. 

Invest Barbados, through its Indigenous Service’s Export Division, is responsible for promoting the international competitiveness of Barbadian services in many industries, including music, film, fashion, health and wellness, education and management consulting.

Pin It on Pinterest