Toronto Blues Society | » Digital Dollars
Published January 3, 2012 in Past Events

Digital Dollars


The Digital Dollars Seminar is a partnership between the Toronto Blues Society, Ontario Council of Folk Festivals, Batuki Music Society and Lula Music and Arts Centre. The support of the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s Cultural Strategic Investment Fund, is acknowledged.  The series is FREE to the public and each seminar will be streamed and archived at www.livestream.com/torontobluessociety.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Get Music Fans

Saturday May 26, 3pm – Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St W)

The last seminar in a five part series bringing together experts from the field to assist musicians in determining best practice in the new digital landscape. Live performance has always been a good source for artists to get fans. With the new digital landscape, venues have a whole new avenue for promoting and marketing these shows. For May, our panel will share their experiences with new digital strategies for audience development.

Dmitri Vietze (Rock Paper Scissors)
Dmitri Vietze (@dmitrivietze) has the largest jaw harp collection in the state of Indiana. He was recently named in Billboard’s Twitter 140: Music-Industry Characters You Need To Follow,” probably because of his crazy pants. He is the founder of rock paper scissors (www.rockpaperscissors.biz) — a prolific music PR firm for global music in the U.S. and Canada — and StoryAmp (www.StoryAmp.com) — a new platform for connecting journalists with music. He went to the
“Fame High School” in NYC where he cut class to play for money on the streets. His career went downhill from there. rockpaperscissors.biz

Johan Hultqvist (Pinwheel Music)
Our host for session #3, Johan is a musician, curator, and co-owner of PR company Pinwheel Music. Since 2003, he has toured extensively as the frontman for JUNO-nominated dancefloor activists Mr. Something Something. Aside from working as a publicist, manager and career consultant to some of Canada’s finest songwriters, he also teaches Do-It-Yourself publicity workshops to young and emerging artists. — pinwheelmusic.com, Follow him on Twitter: @johanhultqvist

Allison Saretsky (Luminato)
A passionate marketing specialist and idea generator, Allison currently acts as the manager of interactive marketing at Luminato, Toronto’s festival of Arts and Creativity. Prior to Luminato, Allison has held marketing positions with Holt Renfrew, Le Chateau, and Santa in the City, a non-profit organization. Luminato.com, Follow her on twitter: @allisongreer

 

Kevin LeFlar (Official Community)
Kevin Leflar is the Co-founder, President and CEO of The Official Community Corporation – officialCOMMUNITY – officialCOMMUNITY empowers established recording artists including Roger Waters, Elton John, James Taylor, Santana, Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits, George Michael, Keith Richards and IL DIVO to acquire, serve and connect their fans as lifelong, direct customers and community members. Officialcommunity.com, Follow him on Twitter: @kevinleflar

 

Reginald Ray (Small World Music)
Reginald is the Marketing Director for Small World Music as well as a developer of phone applications through New Found Network.  Smallworldmusic.com, Follow him on Twitter: @newfoundnetwork

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Get Video

Saturday April 21, 1pm-4pm – Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St W)

The fourth in a five part series of seminars bringing together experts from the field to assist musicians in determining best practice in the new digital landscape. The popularity of videos has afforded music writers, artists and managers a whole new avenue for promoting and marketing their music. For April, our panel will share their experiences with a variety of blogs and the ups and downs of music blogging,

David Newland (Roots Music Canada, host)
Based in Toronto, David is a successful songwriter, the force behind The McFlies and co-founder & co-host of the Corktown Ukulele Jam community. Former Director of Social Media Canoe.ca, a leading Canadian web portal, David was the main contributor to The Canoe Dossier, a finalist for the 2009 Online Publishing Awards for “Best Blog”. David is now the Editor-in-Chief for Roots Music Canada, the portal for original organic Canadian music. He does frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist, specializing in using new media to build community. David served for 3 years on the Board of Directors of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival and is currently a Director of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals. David is also a writer for MacLean’s Magazine. davidnewland.com, Follow him on Twitter: @davidnewland

Joel Goldberg (Joel Goldberg Productions)
Joel Goldberg is an Award winning Producer/Director of television shows, television series, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and web content. His ground breaking music videos have won every national award possible.  He has worked with Colin James, Amy Sky, the Dream Warriors, and Zappacosta among others. He has directed lifestyle series including Party Mamas (Slice), Big Voice (W/OWN), and Glutton for Punishment. Joel has also directed commercials for clients including: Nokia, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Wrigley’s, Kelloggs, Ford, Winners, and Energizer batteries.  For 14 years he was Managing Director, Creative/Production Services for CHUM Television. In this job, he supervised all Creative and Production for CHUM Television’s international MuchMusic and Citytv affiliates.  He also consulted on the building and development of the channels. While at Citytv, he also Produced “Toronto Rocks”, Developed and Produced the hugely popular “Electric Circus”, and developed and Directed the Fashion series “Ooh La La”. Joel’s latest project, a full length feature documentary on the Downchild Blues Band continues to air on HBO Canada, TMN and Movie Central.  He is currently in production on “Bruce Cockburn, Pacing the Cage” a documentary on Canadian musical icon and activist Bruce Cockburn which will air on VisionTV.  He is also in his fourth year as Producer/Director of the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. Joel is President of the Film and Video Production Company, “Joel Goldberg Productions Inc.” joelgoldbergproductions.com

Eric Alper (eOne)
eOne Music Canada Director Of Media Relations and Label Acquisitions; has handled the PR for Ray Charles, The Wiggles, Steve Vai, The Prodigy, Sesame Street, Steve Earle, Sinead O’Connor, Frank Black, Underworld, All Time Low, and hundreds more. CTV’s Canada AM Music Correspondent. thatericalper.com, Follow her on Twitter: @thatericalper

Tiffany Ferguson (MuchFACT)
Tiffany’s music industry career began with internships at The Orange Record Label/Orange Lounge Recording studio and S.L. Feldman and Associates. Previously the office manager for True North Records and executive assistant to manager Bernie Finkelstein, Tiffany is the Program Coordinator at MuchFACT (formerly known as VideoFACT), a music video production fund, sponsored by MuchMusic and MuchMore (divisions of BellMedia). muchfact.ca, Follow her on Twitter: @muchfact

Mako Funasaka (Talkin’ Blues Media)
Mako Funasaka of Talkin’ Blues Media Inc. has been documenting the blues for the past 12 years.  Mako was the recipient of the 2006 Maple Blues “Blues Booster” Awards and the 2010 Blues Foundation “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award in the category of  Television, Film and Videos.  He recently finished work as a story editor on Joel Goldberg’s Bruce Cockburn documentary and is currently working as an associate producer on Riddle Films 5-part documentary series entitled “God’s Greatest Hits”.  Over the past few months, Mako has also completed a number of promotional videos for artists such as Shakura S’Aida, Steve Strongman, Aradia Ensemble, Slocan Ramblers and The Cecilia String Quartet as well as for the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Koerner Hall. talkinblues.com

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Blog Music

Saturday March 10, 1pm-4pm – Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St W)

The third in a five part series of seminars bringing together experts from the field to assist musicians in determining best practice in social media. The popularity of blogs has afforded music writers, artists and managers a whole new avenue for promoting and marketing their music. For March 10, our panel will share their experiences with a variety of blogs and the ups and downs of music blogging,

Johan Hultqvist (Pinwheel Music)
Our host for session #3, Johan is a musician, curator, and co-owner of PR company Pinwheel Music. Since 2003, he has toured extensively as the frontman for JUNO-nominated dancefloor activists Mr. Something Something. Aside from working as a publicist, manager and career consultant to some of Canada’s finest songwriters, he also teaches Do-It-Yourself publicity workshops to young and emerging artists. — pinwheelmusic.com, Follow him on Twitter: @johanhultqvist

David Newland (Roots Music Canada)
Based in Toronto, David is a successful songwriter, the force behind The McFlies and co-founder & co-host of the Corktown Ukulele Jam community. Former Director of Social Media Canoe.ca, a leading Canadian web portal, David was the main contributor to The Canoe Dossier, a finalist for the 2009 Online Publishing Awards for “Best Blog”. David is now the Editor-in-Chief for Roots Music Canada, the portal for original organic Canadian music. He does frequent appearances as a speaker, moderator and panelist, specializing in using new media to build community. David served for 3 years on the Board of Directors of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival and is currently a Director of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals. davidnewland.com, Follow him on Twitter: @davidnewland

Dave Cool (Bandzoogle)
Currently serves as the Community Manager for Bandzoogle (lots of blogging + social media), a great website platform for musicians. It’s a Montreal based company that was founded by musicians, and has been successful and growing for 8 years now. He is also the manager of a band called Irreverend James and the Critical Mass Choir, a secular, rabble-rousing, queer-friendly, feminist, subversive gospel music band. Previously, Dave served as the Director of Member Services for the Canadian Independent Recording Artists’ Association (CIRAA), helping them to launch the Groundbreaker Grant Program. davecool.ca, Follow him on Twitter: @dave_cool

Li Robbins (CBC)
Since 2007 she has been the primary writer for the CBC.ca Radio 2 portal. As a journalist, Li’s work has been published by The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The National Post, More Magazine, The Walrus, and Toronto Life, among many other publications and websites. She is also the author of two non-fiction books: Don Messer’s Violin, Canada’s Fiddle and Going Bridal, How To Get Married Without Losing Your Mind. Li’s ability to write in a range of styles and “voices” led to promotional and corporate writing for both large organizations and small businesses, creating website copy, marketing materials as well as blogging and social media management. lirobbins.com

Janine Stoll (Janine Stoll Media)
Janine Stoll is a singer-songwriter and a graphic designer based in Toronto, Ontario. With over 10 years of experience as a freelance graphic and web designer under her company Janine Stoll Media, Janine brings her own style and creative approach to promotional print media and web-based projects. Janine’s professionalism, enthusiasm, and artistic approach to design allow her to take her client’s personal vision and build a compelling and effective final product. As a musician Janine maintains a thriving solo career and also fronts an exciting and innovative band called The DoneFors. janinestoll.ca, Follow her on Twitter: @janinestoll

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Get Social

Saturday February 11, 1pm-4pm – Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St W)

The second in a five part series of seminars bringing together experts from the field to assist musicians in determining best practice in social media.

Johan Hultqvist (Pinwheel Music)
Our host for session #1, Johan is a musician, curator, and co-owner of PR company Pinwheel Music. Since 2003, he has toured extensively as the frontman for JUNO-nominated dancefloor activists Mr. Something Something. Aside from working as a publicist, manager and career consultant to some of Canada’s finest songwriters, he also teaches Do-It-Yourself publicity workshops to young and emerging artists. — www.pinwheelmusic.com, Follow him on Twitter: @johanhultqvist

Jason Loomis (Ariel Publicity)

The opportunities and unpredictability attracted Jason not only to the music industry, but to Ariel Publicity in particular.  Inspired by the ever-changing dynamics of todays music business world, Jason is driven to make a difference and help musician’s master the digital domain. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Jason graduated from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville with a degree in Music Business.Jason joined the team as Ariel’s personal assistant and internship coordinator after completing his own internship with the company. Since then, his duties have expanded to include managing all of the New Media Maker (bloggers, podcasters and DJs) relations, talking to incoming artists, helping to create and customizing campaigns for Cyber PR® artists, managing the day in and day out office activities and writing the Musician’s Arsenal blog series (which features the best apps, sites and tools to help independent musicians sort through the seemingly endless number of choices available). When not working in the Cyber PR® office, Jason can be found doing freelance recording, talking random people’s ears off about how awesome St. Louis sports teams are or playing guitar in his band, Ibex. arielpublicity.com, Follow him on Twitter: @jloom718

Bob Ledrew (Translucid Communications)

Bob Ledrew is Principle Consultant at Translucid Communications which specializes in public relations, social media and communications strategies. He is also membership services manager for the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals. Bob is a pioneer in social media, starting Flacklife, Canada’s first PR blog, in 2003 and has worked and has a public relations columnist for the CBC Radio program “The Business Network.” A contributor to the book The Age of Conversation 2: Why don’t they get it? Bob was the MC and one of the organizers of the first Case Study Jam, a new social media meetup in Ottawa. Bob has lectured and conducted conference workshops at Algonquin College, for Infonex Conferences, and was an organizer and speaker at TEDxOttawa, Ottawa’s first TED event. He is co-host of the PR podcast “PR and Other Deadly Sins” with Mark Blevis of Fleishman-Hillard Ottawa, and is creator and host of “The Kingcast“, a podcast devoted to the writing of Stephen King. Translucid.ca Follow him on Twitter: @bobledrew

Suzie Vinnick (Musician)

Multi-award winner and a Juno nominee in 2009 and 2012, blues artist Suzie Vinnick models best social media and audience development practices. While on the road much of the year, this communications savy musician has found ways to efficiently manage her web site, gig announcements, twitter feed, bandcamp, reverbnation. www.suzievinnick.com Follow her on Twitter @suzievinnick

Emma Julien (Jane Harbury Publicity)

Emma is currently a publicist at Jane Harbury Publicity and arts administrator for artists such as Peter Katz, Corin Raymond, Rob Szabo, and Tangents North Music. Emma also recently created and distributed a free database of 2011/2012 folk festivals with Dave Cool. Follow her on Twitter @emmerlou

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Get Physical

Saturday January 14, 1pm-4pm – Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St W)

The first in a five part series of seminars bringing together experts from the field to assist musicians in determining best practice in the changing landscape of digital vending. Predictions of the imminent demise of the CD format have artists scrambling for strategies that will keep their revenue stream on track. How many CDs do I manufacture? What are the best options with digital vending? How do I market digitally and who knows this brave new world?

Johan Hultqvist.(Pinwheel Music)
Our host for session #1, Johan is a musician, curator, and co-owner of PR company Pinwheel Music. Since 2003, he has toured extensively as the frontman for JUNO-nominated dancefloor activists Mr. Something Something. Aside from working as a publicist, manager and career consultant to some of Canada’s finest songwriters, he also teaches Do-It-Yourself publicity workshops to young and emerging artists. — www.pinwheelmusic.com

Jack Schuller (Festival Record Distribution)
Jack first developed a wholesale distribution network with the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and then for fifteen years with Festival Distribution, the home for Canadian folk and world music. He now runs Mainstage Management which will launch his on line distribution company at http://therecordtent.com/ later in 2012.

Lloyd Nishimura (Outside Music)
President of Outside Music, a full-service company with label, distribution, publishing and management wings, is an expert on digital distribution for indie music and other non-commercial forms) Lloyd’s company uses IODA for their digital distribution services. http://www.iodalliance.com/

Shelley Stein-Sacks (Music Think Tank)
A strong believer in leveraging the current and future potential of social networks and technology, Shelley has held positions as vice president at Sam the Record Man and Archembault/Quebecor, and currently provides strategic planning and counselling to various public and private sector clients. He is a contributing member of the Music Think Tank http://www.musicthinktank.com/

David Travers-Smith (Producer)
David Travers-Smith is a Producer, Engineer and Musician whose diverse work with groups ranging from Folk/Roots artists The Wailin’ Jennys to Alternative/Indie champions Deerhoof has garnered numerous awards. Working with both established and emerging artists, he brings a grassroots perspective to the issue of digital distribution, navigating the potentially empowering paradigm shift in both formatting and in the dissemination of new media.

 

Digital Dollars on Line

Web www.digitaldollars2012.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DigitalDollarsSeminar
Twitter DDollars2012

Contacts

Toronto Blues Society: Jordan Safer [email protected]
Lula Music and Arts Centre: Tracy Jenkins [email protected]
Ontario Council Folk Festivals: Bob Ledrew [email protected]
Batuki Music Society: Nadine McNulty [email protected]

 

Donate Join TBS Volunteer

©2024 Toronto Blues Society. Design by Janine Stoll Media.
TBS logo and WBR artwork by Barbara Klunder


The Toronto Blues Society acknowledges the annual support of the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage, and project support from FACTOR< and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Broadcasters, The Canada Council for the Arts, the SOCAN Foundation, SOCAN, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Toronto Blues Society