Beyond the great economic and social advances in Latin America – and especially Brazil, what’s happening with the music industry in that continent? Do you want to do business there?? Three key professionals will discuss their experiences of dealing with the opportunities and challenges.

The conference will be opened by Michel Nicolau. Michel Nicolau is a sociologist, PhD student at the University of Campinas, in Brazil and music industry researcher. He was manager of BM&A between 2003 and 2006 and since then is a consultant of the institution.

The moderator is: Robert Singerman. Robert has 30+ years as a booking agency owner, manager, label exec, consultant, producer, venue programmer, music supervisor and representative of French, European and now Brazilian music export offices in North America. He’s spoken at conferences and panels worldwide, from Brazil to Australia.

We have 4 speakers including yourself:

Leonardo Ganem – Som Livre: Before becoming an executive in the music business, Leo Ganem developed a career as a medical sciences researcher. He received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Wittenberg University, a Ph.D. from UW-Madison and completed his postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School in Boston. In 2001, Leo left the lab life to join the Rio de Janeiro office of McKinsey & Co as an associate consultant focused mainly on business strategy. In 2004, Leo joined Som Livre as CFO and 3 years later he became CEO. Under his supervision, Som Livre captured a 30% share of the Brazilian CD and DVD market, becoming one of the largest independent labels worldwide. He was also responsible for developing the live entertainment and digital businesses that today account for nearly 40% of company revenues.

John Telfer – Basement Brazil: John worked at Albion with the Stranglers, 999, Hazel O’Connor and many others in the heydays of punk and new wave. He opened his own publishing and management company, Basement Music, in 1978. He managed Joe Jackson, Everything but the Girl, Hal Willner, Sweet Honey in the Rock,  The Proclaimers and many others. He still manages Television and Tom Verlaine. He was the International Director at Rykodisc/Palm Pictures/Manga  for 5 years before moving to Brazil, and helped to set up a network of licencees and distributors around the world. Basement Brazil is his publishing company representing mainly international catalogues such as Blue Mountain, Bucks, Chrysalis, Music Sales, as well as a number of Brazilian writers and groups like Mawaca.

Beni Goldenberg – Terra Sonora. Beni is the Product Development Manager at Terra Networks Brasil and the Sonora store. One of the leading figures in the local digital market, Beni worked at the ground–breaking Usina do Som, the first online radio service in South America.

Laura Tesoriero – Epsa Music, The Orchard: Laura Tesoriero is the CEO of EPSA Music, Argentinian record company specializied in tango and folk music.  She began her career running a CD and audiotape manufacturing plant.  She later became involved in the content side of the music business.  Four years ago Laura entered the music publishing business as well. Three hundred Argentinian authors and composers have already signed with EPSA PUBLISHING, with their compositions including almost five thousand pieces of Argentinian typical music, folklore and tango music. Laura has also been active in the field of online distribution.  She started the website ZAPMUSICA, a digital media service that is a pioneer in Argentina.  She has been the South American representative of THE ORCHARD since 2003. Laura is currently a director of CAPIF (the national association of Argentinian record producers). Laura has been a speaker at numerous international conferences on topics such as how to administer an independent record company and the importance of intellectual property in developing countries (WIPO)