Application open for EMMMA - the first European-wide mentorship programme for music managers

16 January 2020 - Press release

Applications for the European Music Managers Mentorship Activation (or EMMMA), the first-ever European-wide mentorship programme for music managers, are now open. 

Music managers who have at least one year of business experience and are based in the EU are encouraged to apply here by February 2nd.  

Developed by the European Music Managers Alliance (EMMA), the programme was unveiled at 2019's Reeperbahn Festival and is being led by Music Managers Forum Finland, with support from EU funding body Creative Europe and partner YouTube Music. 

It will allow 14 successful participants to take part in a year-long mentorship scheme to help grow their professional careers through skill-sharing, networking and capacity building.  

All will be assigned experienced mentors who have committed to monthly online consultations, as well as face-to-face meetings and educational programming and industry outreach at several European music conferences, such as by: Larm, Tallinn Music Week, The Great Escape, Way Out West, Reeperbahn Festival and Music & Media. The programme will conclude with a seminar day in Warsaw. 

David Mogendorff, Head of Artist Relations, YouTube Music EMEA says: 

“At YouTube Music, we believe passionately in the power of mentorship and supporting the next wave of music management talent. We’re excited to partner with the European Music Managers Alliance to help leaders hone their skills, build networks across Europe, as they build businesses that are instrumental in bringing European talent to the world’s stage. “

Confirmed mentors on the programme include Jussi Hautala (Result Entertainment Management, Finland), Ellie Giles (Step Music Management, UK), Ania Kasperek (Chimes Agency, Poland/Sweden), Jérémie Charbonnel (Junzi Arts, France), David Manders (Liquid Management, UK), Dita Kleman (Rec Sthlm, Sweden) and Joan Vich Montaner (Ground Control, Spain). 

Ellie Giles, founder of Step Music Management, and manager of producer Adam Noble and artist Bill Ryder-Jones says:

“I am super excited to be part of EMMMA, and I look forward to offering support to help European managers step up to where they want to be. Building bridges across Europe can only be a good thing right now. In the words of Margaret Fuller, 'If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it'.” 

Ania Kasperek, co-founder of Chimes Agency, and manager of pop artists including Hildur, Reuben Gray and more, adds: 

“I’m very excited and humbled to be joining EMMA’s Music Managers Mentorship programme as a mentor. In the ever-changing music industry two things are always constant: peer-to-peer support and your network. I’m as eager to share my experiences with participants as I am to learn from them.” 

David Manders, founder of Liquid Management (LIFE, Ren Harvieu, Flamingods) says:  

“The music industry has been a significant part of my life for many years, it’s given me a career in a job that is continually challenging but I love. I would never have been able to achieve this without the help and support of many great mentors over the years sharing their experience and knowledge with me. I couldn’t be more pleased to be doing this myself with people that will be the future of our industry. It’s crucial that artists have the right support from knowledgeable management in what is a turbulent and ever-changing industry where the artist has a lot more control over their rights than they did in the past.” 

Manager and mentor Dita Kleman of RecSthlm and board member of MMF Sweden adds: 

"I look forward to sharing experiences with talents in the music management industry and to being part of a larger network through EMMA’s mentorship programme this year. My hope is that it will contribute to a more open, developing, sustainable and diversified industry." 

The deadline for applications is midnight on February 2nd.

Successful applicants can expect to be informed by the 7th of February. 

The EMMMA partners and organisers are committed to diversity and equal opportunity in the music industry and will consider these factors in selecting participants. 

For more information, please click through to EMMA’s website.