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PREMIUM > VOLUME 144 > FEBRUARY 2012
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VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2012
McGowan’s
Musings
It’s been freezing here of late, but I managed
musicI did get to hear a great bunch of
Talking of the old chaps it was interesting
to avoid the worst of it by going to Dublin
traditional Irish musicians tucked away in a
to note that both Mick Jagger and Paul
over the last weekend, where although
corner of O’Donaghue’s pub, an ancient, and
McCartneywere back in the UK charts last
mainly grey and drizzly (a great word don’t
once smoky place famous for hosting some
week Jagger was in the top 10 singles chart
you think?) it was actually pretty warm.
of Dublin’s finest including The Dubliners
for the first time since 1985 guesting on
This wasn’t a business trip, but in terms of
and the odd Pogue and Chieftain. It didn’t
Will.i.am’s T.H.E, and McCartney took his
seem to bother these guys that most of the
‘Kisses on the Bottom’ (Do you know some
noisy throng in the different sections of the
people have complained about the title!)
pub didn’t know they were even there, as
albumto number three in the albums chart –
loud conversations about the last minute
it’s almost as though the last quarter century
cancellationof the Ireland France Rugby
never happened…
match in Paris competed for noise levels. It
COLOPHON > VIP-News is published by: VIP-Booking 145-157 St John Street London Ec1V 4PW Managing Director: Ronni Didriksen rd@vip-booking.com
seems it was always thus and the Guinness
Well at least some people are investing
levelled everything out! Oh, and I did get a
in developingnew music: First last year’s
glimpse of millionaire – possibly billionaire if
welcom e EU grant of €2.5 million for the
reports of his ownership of 5% of Facebook
EuropeanTalent
are true - Bono’s pad west of Dublin in a
(ETEP), allowing an expansion of the scheme
scenicarea by the sea that rivals anything in
into Central and Eastern Europe (CEETEP),
the Mediterranean – didn’t hear any music
and now, well quite recently, we have the
coming from it though..
news that the Nordic Council of Ministers
Programme
have granted NOMEX 2 million Danish With the Olympics imminent in London
Kronas. (See article in this issue). So that’s
we’ll soon see whether the Games have an
mainland Europe and what we used to
impacton gigs and festivals in and around
refer to as Scandinaviataken care of (well,
the City. Live Nation are already having fun
for a while). Well done to both givers and
and games with their plans for the London
receivers!
General Manager: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com
Live 2012 Celebration Concerts, including 17 free to access days at Victoria Park and 15
…So now let’s see who can I go to with an
Writer and editorial: Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
free to access days in Hyde Park, with events
outstretched hand for the UK I wonder?
in Trafalga r Square, and the openingand
Sometimes it’s like playing great music in the
closingceremonies. LN have already had to
corner of a Dublin pub whilst most of the
refute speculation by newspaper, The Evening
people in there don’t hear a note!
Writer: Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com For advertising enquiries please contact: Peter Briggs pb@vip-booking.com +44 870 755 0092
Standard, that a certain bunch of old fellers would ‘reform’ for one of the shows. I wasn’t
So – on that note, heard or unheard
aware that The Rolling Stones had actually
– Ladies and Gentlemen – The News!
broken up – apart from the odd wrinkled skin condition that is, however according to LN they’re not appearing – well, we’ll see.
2
Exchange
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2012
ILMC 24 Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
In the last couple of years attendance at the
Arcade Fire, to review the past year and to
International Live Music Conference (ILMC
project on the fortunes of the live industry in
24) has risen dramatically and according
the coming months. The session is modelled
to the organisers this year’s edition, again
on the famous UK TV humorous quiz show
held at London’s Royal Garden Hotel, looks
“Have I Got News For You”.
set to follow that trend which will mean
This year’s agenda will feature a look at
cappingthe numbers at a thousand plus and
the Chinese Market, and the The Emerging
disappointingsome would be delegates. This
Markets’ Place will compare the development
major live music industry event will take place
of the Eastern European Market with other
on 9th – 11th March.
territories around the world. Also following
Greg Parmley will commence with “The Open Forum” at ILMC
the major problems caused at various outdoor
The ILMC is well known for breaking news
For the second time the ILMC will commence
events around the world last year two regu-
and revealing opinions that directly influence
with “The Open Forum” with Greg Parmley
lar ILMC sessions The Booking Ring and The
the development of the live industry, VIP
welcoming guests, Emma Banks (CAA), John
Festival Forum will merge, to discuss the
News will attend and report back.
Reid (Live Nation), Wayne Forte (Entourage
production and promoter reactions to these
Talent, US) and Scott Rodger, manager of
catastrophes.
More Details: www.ilmc.com
3
VIP NEWS > NORDIC NEWS > FEBRUARY 2012
Anna Hildur Leaves Iceland Export to Head NOMEX Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
Anna Hildur
and started her job full time on February 1st.
in terms of developing acts in order to make
Anna will be working alongside the Icelandic,
sure that they are ‘export ready’ when it
Swedish, Finnish, Norwegianand Danish
comes to international showcase events and
exportoffices and focusing on strengthening
touring. In Denmark national support has
connections across the Nordic market, while
alreadybeen available to acts workingin the
establishing a Nordic brand for music.
territory for some years from The DanishRosa Rock Council. Gunnar Madsen, head of ROSA,
Anna will also be developing collaborative
is also the chairman of the NOMEXboard. He
relationships with companiesin the travel
commented, “It’s exciting to have funding to
industryto benefit artists, promoters and
strengthen the Nordic collaboration. We have
musicfans alike, as well as working on Nordic
been workingtogether informallyfor years
music in the Nordic media, buildingawareness
so this is a very pleasing development which
of original contemporary music from all the
complements the work that we are doing
Nordic countries. She told VIP News, “I’m very
at the export offices in all of the countries.
excited to have taken on this new role. Initially
We welcome Anna in her new role. She has
I’ll be concentrating on the Nordic markets,
great experience both from working as a
Nordic Music Export (NOMEX) has been
with the intention of opening up borders
musicmanagerand PR person in the past and
granted 2 million Danish Kronasby the Nordic
betweenthe countries.” As a result, although
consultantfor brands like Iceland Airwaves
Council of Ministers. This is following the
based in London where she has lived for over
and countless projects as well as her latest
presentationof the NOMEX strategy, Strength
20 years, Anna will be spending a lot of her
job as an MD at Iceland Music Export. Her
in Unity.
time in the different Nordic capitals over the
knowledgeand insight into the Nordic mu-
next few months.
sic scene will be helpful in establishing this
Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdottir, MD of Iceland
new programme which brings Nordic music
Music Export for the past five years, has been
Although the ‘ex’ in NOMEX indicates Export
a platformwhich Films and Games have had
hired to be the programme director of NOMEX
this initial national work makes a lot of sense
for years.”
New MD for Iceland Music Export Replacing Anna Hildur as MD of Iceland Music
honed organization that is moving along at a
Export is Sigtryggur Baldursson , founding
good pace. The crew is well trained and are
member of The Sugarcubes and the legendary
mostly surviving on algae and photosynthesis.
Smekkleysa, (Bad Taste) label. Baldursson is
My first attempts at having a business card
a highly respected drummer and composer,
made out with the moniker “Grand Supreme
who has also played with Þeyr, Kukl and his
Glorious Leader, Lord of Lords and most
own percussive duo Steintryggur.
belovedSon of the Sun” have not met with favour, so I shall have to settle for managing
Baldursson said, “I am very excited and
director.”
honouredto be taking over the bridge of IMX
4
in the wake of Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdottir´s
It appears that a sense of humour will continue
good work in building the office from scratch
to be an important component of the work of
in 2007. I won´t attempt to fill her shoes, (she
Iceland Music Export in the future – and why
is a size 5) but am content with enteringa well
not!
Sigtryggur Baldursson
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2012
News from Eastern Europe Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
There’s a lot going on in the business of music in Eastern Europe,
Latvia’s Positivus Festival is the biggest in the Baltics, attracting 35 000
particularlyin the Festival market, and we’re already at that time of
music fans to the Latvian seaside town of Salacgriva in July, but ealier
year when final bills are announced and tickets go on sale (It’s not in
this year the event will team up with Tallinn Music Week: For the first
the East I know, but I note that Lowlands Festival in Holland sold out in
time one of the festival stages during Tallinn Music Week from 29-30
two hours last week!)
March will feature one of the best known Lithuanian musicians Alina Orlova, presented by Positivus.
The now iconic EXIT is a non-corporate event with a unique history, having started as a student protest against the communist Milosevic regime in Serbia. The event continues to support many community
Girts Majors
and humanitarian missions, having also established The State of Exit Foundationin 2010 to support the reform of higher education in Serbia. EXIT has also been closely involved in with the Development of the CEETEP Programme (see mention in McGowan’s Musings in this issue), and one of the Festival’s founders and Director, Bojan Boscovic, will chair The Emerging Markets panel at this year’s ILMC in London next month (see story in this issue). This year’s edition will again take place in the city of Novi Sad, in the Petrovaradin Fortress overlooking the river Danube from Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th July. ‘Early Bird’ tickets have already sold out and the bill
Positivus organizer Girts Majors commented, “Positivus is delighted to
so far includes: New Order, Wolfmother, Gossip, Buraka Som Sistema,
present one of the stages at Tallinn Music Week for the first time. It
Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Miss Kitten, Reboot live, Art Department,
just makes sense for the biggest festival of the region and the most
MaceoPlex, Kenny Larkin, Robert Dietz and Maayan Nidam.
important music industry event to cooperate. At Tallinn Music Week we always try to find new interesting Estonian and Latvian artists to invite
Poland seems to be set on leading with Festivals as tourist attractions,
to Positivus. In my opinion it is vitally important for the development of
the now well established Open’er supported by Heineken will this year
our music market, that there are a number of local artists who appeal
see Bjork, Bon Iver, Wiz Khalia, Franz Ferdinand, Friendly Fires and Bat
to the neighbouring countries’ music fans.”
for Lashes play in Gdynia from July 4-7. The Polish push on festivals is assisted in this endeavour, by cheap flights and accommodation, and in
A strong cooperation between Tallinn Music Week and Positivus
the case of OFF Festival, cheap tickets, with a four day pass starting at
Festivalstarted last July, when TMW together with the European
€32. The event takes place in Katowice from 5-8 August, and features
Capitalof CultureTallinn 2011 presented a Tallinn Music Week stage at
Iggy & The Stooges, Suidcide, Death in Vegas, Black Face, Iceage and
the Latvianfestival where Estonian bands Badass Yuki, Kreatiivmootor,
Colin Stetson,Swans, Battles, folk raconteur Kurt Vile, Baxter Dury,
Mimicry, Junk Riot, Nevesis and Aides performed. A similar cooperation
Spectrum, Container, and Nils Frahm.
will continue at this year’s festival. www.positivusfestival.com
Tallinn Music Week Staying in the East, just across the water from Helsinki, Tallinn Music Week will announce its festival programme on February 22cnd. OrganiserHelen Sildna tells VIP News that the festival will take place on 29-31 March for the fourth time, with 185 artists from 14 countries and all music genres performing over 3 nights on 19 festival stages
6
around the centre of Tallinn and 8 city stages at different public
VIP News will attend and report back!
locationsduringthe daytime.
For more information go to www.tallinnmusicweek.ee
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2012
Threat to Concerts in London’s Hyde Park Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com
Concert at Hyde Park
MyMusicMailer.com enables artists to MAIL their music to more than 6.000 venues and agencies worldwide… According to London newspaper The Evening
75 to 73 decibels; and to reduce crowds from
Standard major music concerts in Hyde Park
a maximum of 80,000 people to 50,000 on
could be cancelled because Westminster
safety grounds.
council believes they are too noisy. Future performances by the likes of Rihanna
John Probyn, chief operating officer of
and
after
concertpromoters Live Nation told The
complaintsfrom wealthy Mayfair residents
EveningStandard: “The sound levels allowed
about the “repetitive” noise caused by dance
in Hyde Park are already lower than any other
acts. Mayor of London Boris Johnson is said
venue in the country. If they reduce it any
to be “extremely concerned” and told the
more then artists simply will not want to play
Standard: “I want to see Madonna in Hyde
the venue.” Organisers of events including
Park”.
the O2 Wireless festival today said all future
Madonna
are
under
threat
concerts in the park could now be at risk. There are fears that the decision could threatenconcerts planned for Hyde Park
Leith Penny, Westminster’s strategic director
duringthe Olympics (see this issue’s Musings).
for city management, said: “The reality is
Westminster councillors are expected to
that the number of complaints generated has
approvenew restrictions at a meeting on
risen to quite a considerable extent in recent
FridayFebruary 17. Westminster wants to cut
years. The committee will take all points of
the number of concerts allowed each year
view into account.”
from 13 to six; to lower the noise level from
7
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2012
Armin Rahn
Armin Rahn Passed Away Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com The trade publication Musikmarkt has reportedthat the German concert promoterArmin Rahn passed away on February 8 at the age of 58 years after a long lasting illness. Rahn founded his company in 1973 and worked with acts such as Boy George, Hot Chocolate, Grace Jones, Gloria Gaynor, Kool & The Gang and Dionne Warwick. From 1976 until 2011 he was also the concertagent for the highly popular GermanSchlagerSingerWolfgang. His company will continue to be run by the current team consisting of Anja Lukaseder, Annamaria Schobert, Verena König, Kyle König and Monika Ehlers. For further information please check: http://www.arminrahn.com/
Dortmund Westfalenhalle AGM hears the Venue ‘Has Warmth’ Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle 1was inaugurated
Sabine
of
“This entails a number of advantages for
on Feb. 2 and 3, 1952, with the “Olympia
WestfalenhallenDortmund GmbH, called
Loos,
us.” Firstly , the annual maintenance costs
ruft” event. Since then, it has helped write
Westfalenhalle 1 “a legend that is rightly
of the track will no longer need to be paid;
German and European sportingand music
considered a cult venue to this day.” “It has
in addition, the increasedinterior space in
history. On Feb. 2, 2012, the day of its 60th
remained a hub of innovation,” said Loos.
Westfalenhalle1 will make it more attractive
birthday, the Westfalenhallen GmbH event
“Our aim is to keep our finger on the pulse
to event organizers. “In particular the 5,500
centre held its annual press conference.
and to be early to recognize and implement
capacity of the interior space for standing-
Among the guests was Fritz Rau, a legendary
new
roomconcertswill make us even more
organizer at the Groe Westfalenhallefor
business.”
trends
in
Chief
the
Executive
events-organization
attractiveon the events market,” Meschke
some three decades. This godfather of
is sure. There are already some examples
the German concert business indulged in
Summer will see the removal of the cycling
of this: Thanks to the increased capacity ,
reminiscenceof, among others, his concerts
track
completed.
Westfalenhalle1 has been successfu l in
with the Rolling Stones.
Jochen Meschke, Managing Director of
its bids to host the Black Sabbath and Rise
the Westfalenhalle n GmbH event center :
Against The Machine concerts.
in
Westfalenhalle
1
“This hall has warmth,” he said in praise of Westfalenhalle 1. “It has exactly the right capacity; here, the audience feels connected with the stage.” He was particularly pleased that younger bands now also sell out the Groe Westfalenhalle, although he does not know these names at all any more. “The young ones have to get involved,” said the veteran , who claims to have no concernsabout Westfalenhalle1: “The hall has a future. I hope that it continues to be significant.”
8
Westfalenhalle 1 Dortmund
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2012
More Cashless Festivals Likely This Summer Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com An ID & C Press release reports on The Event
the technology?’ The panel gave individual
Production Show’s ‘Access Sessions’ held at
scenarios and explained possible business after Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis
RFID wristbands hit the headlines recently
Olympia, London earlier this month which
models that included sponsorship and paying
announcedthat they’d be considering using
included a session called ‘Plastic Passion’
for the new technology from the proven uplift
the technology when the festival returns in
which focused on RFID wristbands, a topic
in sales that a cashless payment solutioncan
2013.
much discussed by both fans and organisers
generate. Solo’s Langford stated that it was
around the world.
certainly not the intention of Isle of Wight to
Leading RFID solutions Company Intellitix
pass the cost onto the fans.
and manufacturers ID & C are separate Companiesbut work together on various
The panel, consisting of Isle of Wight Festival’s Rob Langford, Steve Daly from ID&C, Steve
Although no specific festivals were named,
projects. Both will available for consultation
Jenner from Intellitix and Ticketmaster ’s
it was unanimously hinted by the panel that
at the International Live Music Conference in
Adam Newsam, debated the future of RFID
the industry could expect to see a cashless
London between 7th and 11th March.
in the live event space.
paymentsolution at a UK festival this summer.
www.idcband.co.uk www.intellitix.com
The seminar reviewed the RFID success in North America last summer, where the systemwas used for access control at a numberof flagship live events. Separate accounts from Intellitix’s Steve Jenner, and ID&C’s Steve Daly explained the positive
Rob Langford from Solo, producersof the Isle of Wight
resultsof RFID wristbandsusage at festivals
festival, gave a promoter’s
such as Coachella and Lollapalooza. Daly
viewpoint, referring to the
added that the success had also spawned an influx of enquiries for the wristbands.
RFID cashless payment trial carried out amongst 500 fans
Rob Langford from Solo, producers of the Isle of Wight festival, gave a promoter’s viewpoint , referring to the RFID cashless
at the festival last summer. Rob Langford
paymenttrial carried out amongst 500 fans at the festival last summer. The pre-loaded RFID wristbands gave fans in the VIP arena the chance to experience the technology when purchasing at food and drink stalls. Langford said that the success of the trial had led the festival to consider other areas where RFID wristbands would benefit the festival and its fans. The closing Q&A session produced questions such as ‘how can an RFID wristband be topped-up?’ to ‘who owns the data on the wristband?’ The most frequent question though, ultimately asked ‘who will pay for
RFID Wristband
9
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2012
Mike Keller Appointed as Managing Director for Apassionata
Mike Keller
Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com Following his somewhat surprising departure from the O2 World in
later became O2 World Hamburg. He started his career workingas
Berlin at the end of 2011, Mike Keller has been appointed to work
head of production for Karsten Jahnke from 1996 until 2002.
with horse show Apassionata. He started his new post on February 1 and already announced that he will attend ILMC.
Apassionata is a live horse show and plays more than 100 shows all over Europe each year. The production includes a crew of100 people
Keller started working for O2 World in Berlin in January 2008 and was
and about 50 horses.
appointed as managing director at the beginning of 2011. Prior to this he worked for the Color Line Arena in Hamburg since 2002, which
For further information please check: www.apassionata.com
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info@in.stuttgart.de www.in.stuttgart.de
03.11.2011 15:09:42 Uhr
VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY > SPONSORSHIP >
FEBRUARY 2012
New Sponsoring Strategy at Converse Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
Over the past few years Sponsorship has, particularly for festivals,
U2 will work with everybody who pays them well, but with
becomeza highly important, in fact vital supplement to the core
Bjork there is a little difference. However, looking back at
income stream of selling tickets. But sponsorship brings along with
the way that brands have been involved in the live-business
it certain provisos and demands for the implementation of strategic
in the last couple of years, the trend has always seemed to
goals by non music brands and sponsors that by their very nature may
be that some of these marketing-managers are in place for
be based on different interests than those of live music companies.
two or three years then they get promoted and all of the sudden a whole strategy is blowing away. Does that mean,
At last month’s edition of Eurosonic Noorderslag VIP News spoke with
that the sustainability of sponsorship seems to be a little bit
Ton van der Werf, who works at Converse Benelux, who told us about
transient?
a strategy change in terms of sponsoring engagements by the sports
– Sure. If my boss at Converse doesn’t like music, we’re not going to
and clothing company.
be sponsoring music, or at least we’d do less. But in the twelve years I’ve worked for Converse Benelux, we’ve always supported artists,
How do you see music event sponsorship developing over the
supported art, supported festivals and now after a couple of years, so
next couple of years?
do Converse U.S. It’s a priority, so that means it’s going to be strategy,
– I work for Converse Benelux. First of all, for a lot of brands music
we’ll work with music for at least five years. That’s what they call ‘own
will be be part of the ongoing strategy, which means it’s not going be
– don’t rent’, they are not going to do big festivalsanymore, so this
in place for just one or two years, it’s got to be for at least five years.
year we’re not sponsoring Pinkpop anymore. In the USA they bought a
The big brands want to work with the music-industry. They want to
Studio, called Rubber Tracks. In London the 100 Club went bankrupt,
reach the audience and the brand has to come across as likeable; that
so Converse UK paid the rent, basically saving the venue, but now it’s
is very important for them – to be likeable!
not the Converse 100 club, it’s just the 100 club. Converseis behind the scenes. For the next two or three years it will not work if Converse
The consumer is in the store and there is a choice of two brands and
is the face, it’s not likeable. We want to be likeable. And that’s what
he thinks, I prefer Converse because they do great stuff. So that is
Converse US and Converse Europe are saying, it’s not ‘screamy’, it’s
why most of the brands want to be associated with music. In the past
not shouting the name, it’s nice – when we are at festivals, we are
most of the brands sponsored festivals just because they could reach
too screamy, we are too loud for the consumer. So they want to go
a lot of people. My newest assignment at Converse means that we
back to the roots, back to the small festivaland what we did in the
are not going to work with festivals anymore. It is called ‘own- don’t
Benelux. We put together showcasesjust set up by ourselves, we pick
rent’. Converse is 51% owned by Nike, I know for sure Nike will do
up the artists, and we do the brandingand the promotion. I worked
the same, and I heard from Eastpak that they will too. We won’t
there with local producers but the idea is Converse’s- nobody else’s.
sponsor festivals anymore, we’re going to do our own festival. Okay, that’s the corporate philosophy behind it. Once again,
12
What’s your attitude to that certain number of artists, like
from an external point of view, seeing how often big brands
Francisand Bjork, who say that they don’t like sponsorship at
all of a sudden suffered, when for instance a journalist found
all?
out that they’re paying their workers in Bangladesh only
– That’s cool, that’s no problem, because, there are a lot of artists. It
half a cent per day, is that not something that will hold back
is very simple, that’s how I work. If you don’t like it – forget it, then I
a significantnumber of really credible artists from getting
work with another. There is so much competition, there are so many
involvedwith sponsors?
artists that you can almost take your pick. And if Bjork or U2 doesn’t
– Well let’s take Nike, they didn’t sign the contract of child-labour.
want to work with us again, fine, than we work with another one.
If I work with hip-hop-artists, they don’t care. With them it’s like,
VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY > SPONSORSHIP >
FEBRUARY 2012
whateverhappens with Nike, I will wear the brand. I don’t care if they are right or wrong, I just wear it. Let’s say probably 67% of the consumersdon’t care, the question of child-labour is behind the scenes. But what is really important is that brands also know that they have to clean up their act, if they produce shoes it mustn’t be through the use of child-labour. I don’t know if you know about that in Germany, but in Holland Greenpeace was really all over Nike. They said, you guys have a factory in Indonesia, which poisons the rivers, so clean up your act. And Nike said, okay, you’re right. So, you are right we need some artists to see us as credible. It is like a game, I predict, and that is why we’re talking about this… In the next two/three years, bigger brands like Converse, Eastpak, maybe Nike will do their own festivals instead of collaborating with PinkPop, Lowlands and others. Will Converse build up a concert-department with people from the music-industry? – That doesn’t work. I’ve worked for twelve years for Converse now and I’m also part of the music-industry. I know the rules. All of a suddenthe UK, Germany, France are e-mailing us to ask how do we work with the music-industry. Now, first of all you need an insider. If you don’t have an insider, it’s not going to happen. For the first two or three years it’s going to be very basic, so there will be no big festivals, there will be shows for two- or three hundred people - but credible people. We’re not going to do work the mass-schedule anymore; we will go for the four-percenters or the five-percenters, the nichepeople, that’s the kind of people that we want to reach. Wouldn’t it be clever to find ways to support and sponsor smaller venues, smaller acts, would it not be a brand new thing, some sort of a social sponsorship thing? – That could be like a scholarship, becoming the main communication. Next week I’ll meet with my colleagues to discuss how we will do this. In Holland we are producing a thing called Converse Mixtape featuringBenelux bands. We like to pick out smaller bands, bigger bands, put it all together and put it out on CD and download backed up with a tour. In February there will be a song from the Gorillaz sponsoredby Converse, there will be a Gorillaz-shoe, it’s a big deal. You know, we’re thinking about maybe picking up smaller venues, helpingthem out with some money and putting bands in the programthat we’ll pay for. That’s the deal we have, we’re going to do smaller stuff insteadof the big festivals. Yesterday I talked about a big festival that is mainsponsored by Eastpak, they’re going to do the same, next year there will be no more sponsoring – we’re going to do different stuff!
Ton van der Werf
13
VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY > SPONSORSHIP >
FEBRUARY 2012
Sponsor People MD Lars Oliver Vogt Discusses Trends and Moods Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
Sponsor People was founded in 2003 by Lars
reached via these events is pretty close
and offer new sponsoring opportunities
Oliver Vogt and since then has become to
to what they want. However , they are
for sponsors?
a far extent the biggest German company
not the only brand considering running – Yes and we try. However, at the end
specializedin the liaison between sponsors
their own events and others have tried
– like paper, a web page or a TV channel,
and live music promoters. that too. Coca-Cola tried it, Telekom is still
they’re just a medium to carry a sponsors
The company oversees among others the
trying it but Vans also failed establishing
messag e. I think there is quite a lot you
sponsoringat Hurricane and Southside
the Warped Tour in Europe. I am not sure
can do at festivals as a sponsor, we are
Festivals, Rock Am Ring and Wacken Open
about every market in Europe but at least for
certainlynot as restricted as the sports world.
Air. VIP News spoke with Vogt about the
GermanyI would say there are enough good
departure of Converse as a lead sponsor
events as it is and no is really waiting for a
We are open to new ideas but sometimes
for festivalsand the departure of Deutsche
new festival. So: Converse is a cool brand, if
those ideas don’t match what we believe is
Telekom as the lead sponsor for sport music
they come up with a great idea they could
do-able, the Holy Grail at festivals is the ticket
event Extreme Playground…
do well running their own events but people
buyer and no promoter will ever do anything
don’t show up for the brands, they still go
that could harm ticket sales.
How difficult is it to please sponsors?
because they like the event or the line-up. Do you also experience sponsors coming
– I don’t think that it is difficult in general to please a sponsor. Most of them are reasonable
Sometimes
sponsors
seems
to
be
well-educatedpeople, and all they want is a
unhappywith what they have to pay
a lack of understanding of what is
fair returnon their investment. The question
for a sponsoring engagement and what
possibleand what isn’t?
is whetherall sponsors will attain their goals
they get in return for it. How can festival
– I think the most experienced ones know
via Sponsorships at our events. The platforms
promoters improve their offers for
the do’s and don’ts at festivals. Brands have
we offerare good, we can guarantee great
sponsors?
learned a lot in the last ten years but we
attendanceand medializationat our events
– In general we evaluate every package we
could still make their lives easier.
is always top - but sometimes this just isn’t
sell. However, sponsorships at major and
enough.
televisedevents don’t come cheap – you are
Who is more conservative or progressive:
up with unrealistic requests or revealing
looking at six digit numbers at top events.
the live entertainment branch or brands
What do you think about the departure
Sounds expensiveat first sight but if you look
as sponsors for the live entertainment
of company such as Converse as a
at the return-on-investment, they are value
industry?
sponsorfor festivals?
for money. I look at sponsorship deals in a
– I think cool brands always want to be
– Converse is a very cool and hip brand;
similar way to media buys. We offer a great
very progressive, they are fueled with those
they have a great heritage and don’t need
return-on-investment at our events and I
ideas - the festival world in comparison has
these events to be cool. What they need
have the numbers for Converse at Hurricane-
been a pretty slow moving tanker. The idea
is a story for themselves. To my very best
Festivalon hand – they were good. However,
of a festivalhas been the same ever since
knowledge they are not leaving festivals
sometimes what we can offer is simply not
Woodstock , we have just become more
entirely. But if Converse decide to do their
what the brand is looking for.
professionalat running these events but
own events, this is their given right. I think
14
of the day the events are what they are
in principle, you have a bunch of bands on
they have been a great brand to have at
Would you also say the live entertainment
stage and a lot of people coming to see
our events and the targetgroup they have
industry has to become more innovative
them and have a good time. The reasons for
VIP NEWS > INDEPTH STORY > SPONSORSHIP >
FEBRUARY 2012
peopleto attend festivals haven’t changed, so there is no need for the promoters to change too much. A festival will always remainan event for the people and we will create opportunitiesto become a part of it but it will never be the same. Sport-Sponsorship seems to be more commonthan for Festivals or Music. Is the sport-sector more sponsor-friendly than live entertainment? – Yes and No. There are much easier ways to integratesponsors in sport events and sponsors have been involved with sports events much longer than music – so they know better how to handle them. However, I think the festivals have really improved and provide great ways for brands to become a part of the event. I also noticedthe bands have become more supportive of sponsors, i.e. with younger talent the attitude towards sponsorship has completely changed. For now, I think you can get a great return-oninvestmentas a brand, if you know how to spend your money well at events.
Lars-Oliver Vogt Your sport event ‘Extreme Playground’ a quite unique ‘music meets trend sports’
USA to AT&T- when people find out they
one thing: It is not cheaper to run your own
event is off for 2012. For many years
are $55B short, they might just be forced to
event than buyinga sponsorshippackage at
Telekomhas been the lead sponsor for
make dramatic cutbacks. I think this is what
an establishedevent and you take a much
this event. Do you know why Telekom
they did.
higherrisk. This is a decisiononly the brand can make for themselves. In generalbrands
pulled out and why can’t you replace them through another sponsor?
How do you expect sponsoring trends to
are concerned about their activationsthese
– Telekom have been a partner since 2007.
developin 2012?
days, which we appreciate– if every brand
Unfortunatelythey decided at the very last
– I have always told my promoters that we
does a great job on their activation, people
minute that they cannot do the events in
will see more sponsors doing their own
will love the sponsorsfor doing that as it
2012 anymore, this made it impossible for
events. If Red Bull can run a F1 team and
provides additionalvalue for them. This is
us to find a new sponsor. I think basically
some FootballClubs, why should they not
somethingI have believed in for many years
they had to cut budgets, they realized this
be able to run a festival? You don’t need
and if Sponsors decide they can do this better
late and I can only guess why. Their economic
to be a rocket scientistto do that. I think
at their own events, this is a totally legit
situationisn’t easy for the providers, their
some brands, i.e. the stronger and cooler
decision.
businessis very competitivewith shrinking
ones might be doingok with their own
margins and Telekom couldn’t sell T-Mobile
events but some will fail. I can promise you
Need to know who is touring Europe
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VIP NEWS > BUSINESS > FEBRUARY 2012
MUSIC IN SHARES
Music in Shares Manfred Tari mt@vip-booking.com
Joint bid by CTS Eventim & AEG for Lanxess Arena According to a report by the daily newspaper
the company that currently runs the Lanxess
Co. KG, which is controlled by KPS
Kölner Rundschau, CTS Eventim and AEG
Arena.
ConcertbüroGesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung.
are in negotiations with the consortium that owns the Lanxess Arena in Cologne.
The Köln Arena Betreibergesellschaft itself
A spokesman for the arena confirmed that
rents
owner
For years CTS Eventim did not operate
the negotiations have already been going
ImmobilienfondsKöln-Deutz, Arena und
significantlywithin the business field of venue
on for months. Many details of the deal are
Mantelbebauung GbR, a real estate fund of
or arena management, but in consideration
supposedto be already agreed. Part of the
about 70 private investors, as another local
of the current news, it looks like that this part
deal is the question if the new owners also
daily newspaper the Kölner Stadtanzeiger
of the live entertainment industry has also
have to take over the Kölnarena II, a training
reports. This newspaper also reports that the
become more interesting for CTS Eventim, as
hall of the ice hockey team “Kölner Haie.”
current bid is about 5 million Euros, but also
the company needs further growths stories
foresees that the owner would have to invest
to attract investors and shareholders.
The arena itself has been in deficit for years.
the
arena
from
the
another 3 million Euro for renovation. On February 15, 2012 the share of CTS
Annual rental costs sums of up to 6.6 million Euros, and the newspaper reported that
The news situation itself is complicated as so
Eventimstands at 26.58 Euro. On December
the arena management hasn’t been able to
far apparently none of the involved parties
20, 2011 the share was only at 21.20 Euro
pay the rent to the owner consortium for
are available for comments. For CTS Eventim
and since then has risen continuously. One of
years, except for the business years 2009
the engagement indicates a strategy change.
the reasons for this is that investors hope to
and 2010. The initiative for the sale of the
So far the company have only been involved
benefit from compensation fees arising from
arena apparentlycame from the bank Sal.
in the arena management of the open air
the arbitration case between Live Nation and
Oppenheim, who owns 20 percent of the
location Waldbühne in Berlin and the venue
CTS Eventim at the International Chamber of
Köln ArenaBetreibergesellschaft , which
management of the Tempodrom in Berlin via
Commerce (ICC).
also controls ARENA Management Gmbh,
the Tempodrom Betriebsgesellschaft mbH &
DEAG & Live Nation Shares Gain – Music Festivals PLC Shares Suffers
16
As CTS Eventim’s shares are on the up , so
On December 14 the Live Nation share
Music Festivals PLC suffered a small decline
those of DEAG and Live Nation are doing
price went as low as $8.05 but since the
since January 21 and moved down from 56
well in recent weeks. On December 28 the
beginningof January it went up to $10.63.
to 53.50 Pence.
DEAG share was still at 2.08 Euro before
Live Nation announced that it would reveal
climbing within just seven weeks up to 2.62
its businessreport for the business year 2011
Euro.
on February23.
VIP NEWS >
FEBRUARY 2012
Festival Republic to Host Fourth Festival Crime Conference Allan McGowan am@vip-booking.com Festival Republic boss Melvin Benn, promoter
Melvin Benn will chair the event alongside
of Reading and Latitude has announced Chief Superintendent Andy Battle of West the hosting of a conference focusing on
Yorkshire Police. The conference, takes
combatingcrime at British music festivals place on February 21, and will include reps next week. For the fourth year UK music from Glastonbury, Leeds, Reading, Latitude, festivalpromoters will meet with law
ElectricPicnic, Bestival, Rockness, Download
enforcementagencies to share intelligence,
, Isle of Wight, T In The Park, V, Womad,
discuss best practice and “communicate a
Creamfields, Secret Garden Party, Global
strong and cohesivemessage to criminals
Gathering, Hackney Big Weekend, Great
that their actionswill not be tolerated”.
Escape,Oxegen, Green Man, Sonisphere and Wireless.
Anzeige_VIPMag_ProSky_X4.pdf
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CM
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09.12.10
10:43
Melvin Benn
VIP NEWS >
NOTICE BOARD
FEBRUARY 2012
Re-Launch of Music2deal.com - the exclusive community for music professionals At the 1st January 2012 the new music2deal started after a 1 year
Herve Muyal (Music2deal Brazil): “Music2Deal is a great and
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On music2deal professionals connect and deal with more than
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MONTHLY FEATURED ARTIST POWERED BY
MALRUN
ARTIST AVAILS ORBITAL Territory: WORLD Period: APRIL 2012 ONWARDS Agency: VALUE ADDED TALENT Agent: DAN SILVER Phone: +44 207 704 9720 E-mail: dan@vathq.co.uk Homepage: www.vathq.co.uk
Skid Row Territory: Europe Period: July/August 2012 Agency: ARM Entertainment Agent: Dana Strutz Phone: 1-651-483-8754 E-mail: ds@armentertainment.com Homepage: www.skidrow.com
THE DOORS ALIVE - BEST DOORS TRIBUTE ACT IN WORLD Territory: WORLD Period: JANUARY 2012 ONWARDS Agency: VALUE ADDED TALENT Agent: DAN SILVER Phone: +44 207 704 9720 E-mail: dan@vathq.co.uk Homepage: www.vathq.co.uk
Malrun is a danish metal/rock-band that musically navigates in a cross-breed of hard-hitting metal, groovy riffs and melodic rock with a remarkably fresh and modern edge. The music thus targets both the broad mainstream audience as well as the metal environment. Malrun will release their second album “The Empty Frame” 5th March 2012 and support the release with a extensive tour as support- for Die Apocalyptischen
BEAT MUSIC | MARK GUILIANA Territory: Europe Period: Fall 2012 Agency: WIAA - WANTED! International artist affairs Agent: Claudia Frenzel Phone: +49 1792094913 E-mail: mail@wanted-int.com Homepage: www.markguiliana.com
Ultimate Earth Wind & Fire Territory: World Wide Period: General Agency: Sport Star Management Agent: Carsten Hilding Larsen Phone: +45 4071 7722 E-mail: chl@sportstarmanagement.dk Homepage: www.sportstarmanagement.dk
Reiter (D) on a 3½ week tour from 21st April to 13th May 2012 in Germany, Austria, Schwitzerland, Belgium, The Nederland, France, England, Spain and Italy. “The Empty Frame” is produced, mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Fear My Thoughts, Amaranthe, Mercenary). The lyrical themes on “The Empty- Frame” focus mainly on life changing events and how randomcircumstances-and coincidences in life lead to great upheavals-, loss, sadness,
Magnum Band Territory: Europe Period: July / August Agency: Paperclip Agency Agent: Hilde Spille Phone: +31 24 323 9322 E-mail: hilde@paperclip-agency.com Homepage: www.paperclip-agency.com
disillusion but also provides new opportunities and possibilities- of filling out the empty frame – a symbol of life yet to be lived. And as always MALRUN’s lyrical universe is spiced with little pieces of every-day life, irony, sarcasm, humour and sex.
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After MALRUNs debut album from 2010 received average European ratings of 8 out of 10 MALRUN began focusing outside the borders of Denmark on a more international set up. Now Dragon Productions- from Hamburg handles
Skid Row
Europeanbooking for MALRUN while Gordeon- Music from Berlin handles EuropeanPR and advertising, and MALRUN has already shared the bill with bands such as Staind (US), TYR (Faroe Islands) and Mercenary (DK). In the spring 2011 MALRUN went on tour with Audrey Horne (NO) in Germany and Schwitzerland. Read more about MALRUN: http://www.mymusicmailer.com/epk/46/bio
19
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 12 VIP 20NEWS 12 > MISC > SEPTEMBER 2011 > 20 VIP NEWS > MISC
MEMBER PRESENTATION
Roskilde Festival 2012, 5 - 8 July Stages: 8 Roskilde Festival is the largest music festival in Northern Europe – attractingaudiences from all over Europe and the rest of the world. It is an independent, non-profit festival organised by The Roskilde FestivalCharity Society. Roskilde Festival presents an up to date and progressive music programme as well as lots of events, art and activities. Approximately 200 bands play at the festival. The camping areas open on the Sunday preceding the festival with upcoming acts playing a smaller stage and many activities during the days up to Thursday. An extensive environmental programme is implemented each year including a refund system. All profits from the festival are donated to humanitarian, cultural and non-profit projects that benefit people all over the world. The festival is located on the Festival Site,
Black Sabbath, David Bowie, Solomon Burke, Nick Cave & The Bad
outside the town of Roskilde, 35 km from Copenhagen.
Seeds, Coldplay, The Cure, Deadmau5, Bob Dylan, Faith No More, Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Jay-Z, Grace Jones,
Musicians representing all conceivable genres, from all over the
Judas Priest, Kings of Leon, Kraftwerk, M.I.A., Marilyn Manson, Bob
world, play minimum one-hour sets on the smaller stages and often
Marley, Mastodon, Metallica, Muse, My Bloody Valentine, New Order,
90-minutessets on the biggest stages. The long sets make the
Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Prince, Queens Of The Stone Age, Radiohead,
RoskildeFestival music experience fundamentally different from most
Rage Against The Machine, Rammstein, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ravi
competing festivals in Europe.
Shankar, Slayer, Slipknot, The Streets, The Strokes, Talking Heads, Tiësto, Tool, U2, Robbie Williams, Roger Waters, Kanye West, The
Roskilde Festival was established in 1971 and have since then
White Stripes, The Who, Brian Wilson, Wu-Tang Clan and Neil Young.
presentedacts like Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Beastie Boys, Björk,
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Today VIP-Booking offers a range of tools for the
largest database for the European Live Entertainment industry– including VIP-News, VIP-Booking, VIP-Book MyMusicMailer.com enables artists to MAIL their music Industry www.vip-booking.com developed as a tool for and VIP-Contract. to more than 6.000 venues and agencies worldwide… industry professionals. Since it’s launch in the year 2000, Please visit vip-booking.com for further information. we have consistently offered our subscribers the very best in database services and now boast subscribers in
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