For Immediate Release: October 23, 2008
Canadian MUSIC BULLISH ON ASIAN MARKET
18 Canadian Music Companies and Eight Canadian Artists
Showcase for Japanese and Pan-Asian Music Industry
November 10 - 14, 2008
www.cirpa.ca
On the eve of their second trip to Tokyo, Canadian music companies continue to show leadership in developing new export markets, despite the numerous challenges facing the industry. In November, 24 Canadian music executives will set up shop in the Canadian Embassy for a week to host Japanese and Asian delegates from seven countries across the region. The Japanese music market was valued at $5 billion in 2007, with Canadian artist Avril Lavigne being the most sold import.
“We look forward to generating new business opportunities for Canadian artists and companies in many Asian countries. Not Just China, but the whole region is open for trade,” says Duncan McKie, President and CEO of the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA).
In this second annual music trade mission to Japan, 18 Canadian music companies, representing hundreds of Canadian artists and sound recordings, will be undertaking an initiative led by CIRPA, in order to develop trade relations and new business opportunities with the Japanese and Pan-Asian music industry from November 10th – 14th. The initiative is sponsored by the Program for Export Market Development (PEMD) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in partnership with the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Heritage Canada, the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), Radio Starmaker Fund and in association with Canadian Music Week and Music Managers Forum.
November 10th, tour of Tokyo, cultural and business highlights including music retail.
November 11th, Japanese market orientation, featuring speakers from different sectors of the Japanese music industry.
November 12th, performance for the music industry and public at one of Tokyo’s premier music clubs, the 750 seat Duo Music Exchange, promoted by one of Japan’s largest promoters, Creative Man:
Woodhands, Paper Bag Records, ON
www.myspace.com/woodhands
The Saint Alvia Cartel, Union Label Group, ON
www.myspace.com/thesaintalviacartel
Patrick Watson, Secret City Records, QC
www.patrickwatson.net
Bedouin Soundclash, Dine Alone Music Inc., ON
www.bedouinsoundclash.com
November 12th and 13th, The OMDC presents Pan-Asian panels and meetings at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. Ten key executives from various Pan-Asian countries will talk about their markets and meet with the Canadian delegation.
The executives in attendance include:
Chee Meng Tan
Music & Content Manager, MTV Asia Singapore
Shen Lihui
General Manager, Modern Sky China
Tommy Chan
Founder, Loveda Records, Hong Kong
Marcus Ough
Managing Director, Poptunes, South Korea
David Bland
General Manager, Platinum Productions, Thailand
Billy Koh
General Manager, Ocean Butterfly International,
China, Singapore
Matthew Daniel
R2G, China
Lipei “Angela” Xiong
General Manager, Tencent, China
Stuart Watson,
President, SWAT Enterprises, Singapore
Participating Canadian Companies
Abbeywood Records
Alma Records
Bijou Records
Bumstead Productions
Canadian Music Week
Curve Music
Cuto
DEJA Musique
Dine Alone Music
Finkelstein Management
MapleMusic Recordings
Music BC
Opak Media
Paper Bag Records
Secret City Records
Somerset Entertainment
Stomp Records/Union Label Group
Upper Class Recordings
November 13th, Co-sponsored by OMDC and Radio Starmaker Fund, industry showcase performance at the 230 seat Oscar Peterson Theatre in the Canadian Embassy:
Alex Cuba, Cuto/Caracol Records, BC
www.alexcuba.com
Sofia de Medeiros, DEJA musique, QC
www.sofiademedeiros.com
The Trews, Bumstead Productions Ltd., NS
www.thetrewsmusic.com
The Russian Futurists, Upper Class Recordings, ON
www.myspace.com/therussianfuturists
November 14th, The Japanese trade market, meetings with executives from the Japanese music and mobile industries will take place.
The week-long junket will take place November 10 – 14, 2008. Please go to www.cirpa.ca for further information.
We are presently confirming interviews.
The Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) is the trade organization representing the independent sector of the Canadian music and sound recording industry. CIRPA is the collective voice of independent music in English-speaking Canada.
For media information, please contact:
Planet3 Communications: Marli Bennett/Cecilia Aparicio/Joanne Smale
E:info@planet3com.net
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