BPI TO HOST FIRST-EVER TRAINING SEMINAR IN SCOTLAND

30 July 2014 - Press release

BPI partners with the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) to deliver digital, content protection and funding workshops in Glasgow

A free one-day training seminar for music companies, hosted jointly by the BPI and the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), will take place in Glasgow next month on Thursday 21^st August 2014, announced the two music organisations today. 

The first half of the event - which will be for BPI and SMIA Members Only - will see delegates receive a digital marketing master class hosted by Music Ally.  This workshop will cover how to be Socially Savvy and make the most of YouTube. Social Savvy will cover the finer details of all the major social media platforms and will provide tips and tricks on how to get profiles looking enticing in no time. The YouTube session will look at how to get the most out of a channel, how to optimise videos and, importantly, how to monetise your artists’ view count.

Looking forward to the event, BPI Director of Independent Membership, Chris Tams, said,

“Now is a fantastic time to be venturing up to Glasgow - we hope to capture the excitement and creativity that is bubbling in the city as a result of the Commonwealth Games and equip music businesses with the knowledge they need to make more of the opportunities available to them.  We want Scottish music companies to be aware of and tap into the support on offer.

“This event is just a taster of what we hope to deliver in Scotland in the year ahead through training initiatives, educational support and – of course – The Big Music Project which will provide further funding for internships to independent companies across the nation.

“It’s great to be partnering with the SMIA and we hope that this joint initiative can bring added value to both organisations’ memberships.” 

The second half of the event – open to all music companies in Scotland and the North of England - will comprise a content protection session delivered by BPI’s in-house Anti-Piracy Team and a funding workshop, with a particular focus on how to apply for funding under the Music Export Growth Scheme.  The Music Export Growth Scheme offers grants ranging from £5,000 - £50,000 to UK-registered independent music companies to assist them with marketing campaigns when looking to introduce successful UK music projects overseas.

Voicing his support for the joint partnership, Stewart Henderson, Chair of the SMIA and Director of Glasgow-based record label Chemikal Underground, said, 

"It's more important than ever that musicians are given as much support and assistance as possible in making a sustainable career out of their art.  Effectively protecting their copyright and learning more about the support networks and funding opportunities available to them will help them along that road and the SMIA is delighted to partner with the BPI in delivering this seminar. 

“The support currently being offered by the BPI through their Music Export Growth Scheme is a progressive example of how targeted funding for independents in the international markets can help artists in the key early stages of their international development.  Chemikal Underground was delighted to have benefitted from this scheme for our own artist Holy Mountain and it's proved invaluable."   

The event is free for all attendees and will be held in the city centre at Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts. 

Early booking is advised as places are limited.  For more details or to register interest in the event, contact Chris Tams, BPI Director of Independent Membership at chris.tams@bpi.co.uk