BPI reflects on a packed year of virtual events

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BPI

The BPI is celebrating a successful year of hosting events for members, having held over 70 since the start of 2020, with the majority taking place virtually due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. All of these events were free for BPI members, with many sessions open to non-members and those in the wider industry.

2020 may have taken away the opportunity to travel, however the appetite to learn about foreign markets through International Trade Webinars was not lost. BPI held events for over 2000 people discussing and learning about the music industry in Brazil, India, China, and South Korea, as well as three separate webinars about the US Sync industry under the LA Sync banner.

Just under 1500 people attended four BPI Insight Sessions, held with partners Music Ally and later BPI official partner Bowers & Wilkins, offering invaluable insight on topics including serving superfans, understanding audiences under the age of 18, technology, fitness and wellbeing, and augmented, virtual and synthetic realities.

BPI also launched its Equality Training Programme, a programme aimed at supporting music companies to recruit, maintain and empower a diverse workforce. Over 500 people attended six sessions, which looked at discussions around race, antisemitism, unconscious bias, diversifying recruitment, creating inclusive workplaces, and enabling career progression. Notes on these informative sessions can be read here.

Additionally, over 2000 people attended just shy of 50 Member Training Courses, covering topics such as understanding the music industry, copyright, music licensing, digital marketing, social media optimisation, monetising music, connecting artists with fans, streaming, working with new technology, leadership in challenging times and many more. Three Independent Member Meetings also saw speakers from Amazon Music, TikTok, Rough Trade Record Stores, UK Music Diversity Taskforce and Music Against Racism talk to the independent community of BPI members.

Embracing the move to virtual meetings, the BPI also launched more consumer-facing video offerings, including the 'Let's Talk About Music' with the Official Charts Company, featuring interviews with journalist and author Pete Paphides, broadcaster Amy Lamé, and Prince staff engineer Susan Rogers. Under the National Album Day brand it also launched The Record Club, now in association with Bowers & Wilkins, alongside Record Store Day and the Official Charts Company. The fortnightly series has been viewed over 150,000 times, and interviewed guests included Phoebe Bridgers, McFly, Paloma Faith, Declan McKenna, and Laura Marling.

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI, BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize, commented:

"It's been fantastic to see our members engage so strongly in virtual events over the course of the year, especially during the pandemic. From International Trade Webinars to work on Diversity & Inclusion, BPI is proud to support its members as they continue to adapt and develop their skills in this fast-changing business."

Chris Tams, Director of Independent Members Services, commented:

"Record labels across the country have adapted brilliantly to working online over the course of this year, and we're delighted to see the continued engagement and interest shown in our online webinars. We look forward to planning more heading into 2021, where hopefully we'll be able to deliver some in-person events as well."

Emma McGann, Songwriter with X My Heart Records, said:

"The last LA Sync Mission webinar was by far the most insightful session I've attended virtually this year. I found every answer I'd been looking for and the panellists were both informative and transparent in their comments. It's a must-go for anyone starting out in the world of sync, and I am looking forward to this next session."

Trevor Heath, Licensing Manager Tru Thoughts Records, said:

"In these strange and uncertain times, it's reassuring to still be able to get an insight into international markets, export and sync opportunities. Just like the overseas trade missions that normally take place each year, the webinars organised by the BPI and their partners with DIT are proving incredibly helpful. We are always seeking to network and plan a future in new and exciting markets, and the webinars are paramount to us being able to do this."

Karen Emanuel, CEO Key Production (London) Limited, said:

"I attended most (if not all) of the equality training sessions and I found them to be interesting inciteful and engaging. I would highly recommend anyone who hasn't been to go to any future ones. Thank you so much for putting on these sessions during these trying times."

Leigh Morgan, Global Head of Trade Marketing, Acting UK General Manager at Believe, said:

"Throughout 2020 the team at BPI have continued to build on their already successful educational training programs. The courses on offer are an invaluable resource to help Believe staff develop their careers, and have been particularly important in what has been a very difficult year for everyone. The feedback from our staff is always very positive and we recommend anyone to get involved with BPI on this."

Dianne Bonney – Head of Digital, Absolute Label Services, said:

''BPI's training sessions are an invaluable source for all the latest information and best practices for our team.''

Source BPI

December 15, 2020 4:00am ET by Pressparty  

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