Acclaimed Chinese Musician Sa Ding Ding Joins Stellar Guest Lineu

What’s a music forum without the music? Hard to imagine, which is why Music Matters is pleased to announce that the acclaimed musician Sa Ding Ding will be performing during the closing party at the forum, which will take place from June 3rd-5th. The Mainland singer’s debut album Alive combined Western rhythms with Chinese instruments and was accompanied by her vocals in a variety of languages. It’s uniqueness enabled her to be awarded the prestigious BBC Radio 3 World Music Award in the UK late last year. “I describe my music as spiritual communication,” says the singer, and attendees will get a firsthand glimpse of her talents when she performs at J.J.’s in the Grand Hyatt as part of the MTV Music Matters closing party on June 5th.

With the event just days away, U2 manager Paul McGuinness will give the opening keynote address on Wednesday June 4th at 10am. He’ll be joined over the course of the three day forum by a stellar lineup of speakers including Harvey Goldsmith, Managing Director, Harvey Goldsmith Productions Ltd, Terry McBride, the CEO Nettwerk Music Group, Rob McDermott, President of Music at The Collective (also manager for Linkin Park), RedOctane CEO and “Guitar Hero” founder Charles Huang, Bob Lefsetz, author of the widely read daily email missive The Lefsetz Letter and CEOs and executives from major record companies, telecom firms, publishing and video music channels (including MTV and Channel ). “It’s a truly global speaking lineup,” says Branded co-founder Jasper Donat, organizers of the event. “It’s wonderful for us to welcome so many big names. This is now a global event based in the heart of Asia, focusing on Asia.”

Music Matters is expected to push all the hot buttons in the music industry, including a focus on “360° Business Models” (a forum which will take place at 11:45am on June 4th), which are currently paving the way for innovative new deals and partnerships between companies and labels. “What you’re looking at is a shift to reevaluating free,” says Terry McBride, CEO of the Canada based Nettwerk Music Group. “The water industry has done a really good example of this. I’ll be giving examples, and showing how to actually get money from it.” Harvey Goldsmith, arguably the UK’s top music promoter, will be moderating that panel, which will also boast distinguished guests including Walt Disney Records President David Agnew, Warner Music Asia Pacific President Lachie Rutherford, Vice President of A&R at Saregama India Ltd Atul Churamani and Soler lead singer Guilio Acconci. “This is a big hot potato in the U.S. and England,” says Goldsmith. “What is 360° and who should be controlling all the artist’s careers? Should the artists be controlling it or should the record companies? We’ll be addressing this issue.”

With all eyes on China, “Markets that Matter – Making and Breaking an Artist in the Middle Kingdom” (16:35pm, June 4th) and “The Live Panel” (14:30pm, June 5th) will certainly be a popular session. Here, various artists and record company executives will discuss how to break an act in China and discuss emerging touring strategies for artists both on the Mainland and across the region. “From my perspective, I’ll be talking about the history of Linkin Park and how the Chinese fans really embraced the band from the get go,” says Linkin Park manager Rob McDermott. “I’ll also be discussing everything we would like to do or attempt to do and learn more as well.”

Other hot topics this year are expected to be the continued convergence of music with mobile phones (“Mobile Matters”), as well as the growing influence of games (“Games”, 11am, June 5th) on the industry. Other emerging markets, including India (“Markets That Matter, INDIA”, 12:40pm, June 4th) will also be featured over the course of the three day event. “We’re really excited,” says RedOctane CEO Founder Charles Huang, inventor of the worldwide hit musical video game “Guitar Hero”. “We have a major emphasis in our growth plans for Asian and Music Matters will be the first place to make our forays and get to know the industry.”

Of course, aside from headliner Sa Ding Ding, there will also be musical showcases in the form of Shanghai’s most popular alternative act The Honeys, who will headline at Hong Kong nightclub CLIQ on June 4th alongside We Will Rock You cast member MiG, up-and-coming female musician G.E.M, three new artists from Nokia’s Independent Artists Club and pioneer producer and musical activist DJ V-Nutz. “There can always be more music,” says Branded co-founder Jasper Donat. “Aside from that, there will be loads of networking opportunities with over 750 high level attendees, including CEOs and important decision makers. If the past two years are anything to go by, this is where some cool ideas get developed.”

Get ready and strapped in. For the third annual Music Matters Asia Pacific Forum begins this week. This is where the future of Asia’s music industry will be made and decided.

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About Music Matters
Now in its third year, Music Matters is a forum created for, by and with the music industry in Asia. It is solutions driven, featuring face-to-face sessions, keynote presentations and discussion panels with some of the most innovative and successful companies and individuals in the business. The place to forge new business partnerships and opportunities, Music Matters is attended by an abundance of industry heavyweights and provides the platform for them to connect, form partnerships and plug into Asia. On top of the forum there are three parties showcasing up-and-coming acts from around the Asia-Pacific region.

Event Information
Date: June 3rd – 5th, 2008 (Forum on June 4th & 5th)
Venue: Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong

Contact Information
Media & Press Enquiries
Tracy Tan
tracy.tan@brandedasia.com
T (852) 2167 8040

Media & Press Enquiries / Registration
Angel Cheng
angel.cheng@upstreamasia.com
T (852) 9736 4321 / 2973 0222

Event & Media Information
Kate Baldwin
kate.baldwin@brandedasia.com
T (852) 2167 8040

Delegate & Registration Information
Konstancija (Stan) Ruza
stan@brandedasia.com
T (852) 2167 8040