Adit Gauchan spent 14 years as an artist and producer releasing records and touring the world as one half of the acclaimed hip-hop duo Horrorshow — a career which includes three Gold ARIA-accredited records, an ARIA Award, and several ARIA, AMP, and AACTA nominations. In 2013, he co-founded One Day Entertainment, an events company which promoted hip-hop parties nationally. In 2017, the company expanded into artist and producer management, and now represents some of the premiere talent in hip-hop in Australia. He has previously served as an A&R consultant for Universal Music Australia and continues to run his management business, with a clear goal to propel local talent onto the world stage.

London-based, Australian-born, Alex Hosking, is an internationally acclaimed electronic artist, in demand vocalist and hit-making songwriter for renowned artists across the globe. Her knack for creating instantly infectious melodic hooks, leads to songs flying through the charts as buoyantly as her curls. Alex is immersed in the electronic music production realm - working on her new body of work. Alongside her time in the studio, this year has seen Alex flaunts her new skills on-stage as a DJ and in the studio producing for herself and others. showcasing her ever-growing versatility and passion for music.

In 2025, Alex Hosking has shifted her focus to DJing and producing, having already performed at the Australian Open, Tomorrowland Winter, TRNSMT Festival, Gather Round etc! She has kicked off the year with a bang, taking exciting booking agent meetings and securing performances at acclaimed events. This year Alex has released songs with Australian Dj Dave Winnel “Don’t care much for dancing”, ‘London Lights” with Ben Gerrans ( which is on rotation on Tripple J) and this week will be releasing her new song “and it felt like..” with Mr Belt & Wezol.

In 2024, Alex released collaboration tracks, including her iconic song Jungle alongside Drum & Bass DJ 1991. The track has already surpassed 3 million streams on Spotify, climbed the Shazam charts, and received international radio play across BBC Radio 1, Capital Dance, Triple J, and more. Jungle became the undeniable song of the summer, with festival anthems echoing from the main stages of EDC and Tomorrowland, even making the Top 20 on 92.7 Fresh’s Hottest Records for 2024. She closed out the year with Keep It Exciting, a collaboration with Mr. Belt & Wezol and Qobra, which surpassed 6 million streams in its first month. With a string of thrilling releases on the horizon, Alex Hosking is cementing her place as one of the most exciting global talents.

Alex received worldwide recognition for co-writing and contributing vocals to two PS1 hits, 'Fake Friends' in 2020 and 'Life Goes On,' in 2021 which amassed over 90 million combined streams and peaked at #19 on the Official UK Singles Charts. Other collaborations include the exultant, synth driven track ‘Need Your Love’ in 2021 featuring Majestic, and 2022’s ‘Workout’ w DJ Craig Gorman, co-written with Benji Gibson, Billen Ted & Jordan Shaw - all garnering A-list radio support across UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and USA, including; Radio 1, Kiss FM, Capital Radio and Nova. Sassy, engaging and a beacon of positivity - her self-deprecating attitude and strong work ethic, surface in snowball success and there's no wonder why she's the most-requested name in writing rooms. Signed to Sony Music Publishing, she's written thousands of songs, with extensive credits for top-tier artists such as Vera Blue, Lucas & Steve, DLMT, De Hofnar, Bart B More, Zwette, Famba, Jake Tarry, Inverness, Kang Daniel, Anthony Russo, Sunset Bros, Niko x Swae, Jardin, Jack Wins, Max Styler, Kelianne, Alina Eremia, Iikan Gunnc, Arem Ozguc, PBH & Jack, Belle Lucia, Miles & Miles, Wanessa Camargo, Moguai, Zonderling, Yong Bombs, Discrete, The McClymonts (ARIA-nominated), Majestic, Jardin, RALPHY, Slique, Jonasu, Franklin, Wanessa Camargo, Martin Jensen, Breathe Carolina, Farfetch’d, Murphy Laws (UK), Claydee, Dappy, Daecolm, Tribbs, Mr Belt & Wezol, Qobra, 1991 and many more.

Singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ—Alex is on the verge of a major international breakthrough. If her name isn’t on your radar yet, its time to change that.

Ally is a Senior A&R at Island Records Australia, working with artists including Peach PRC, Hellcat Speedracer, Charlie Pittman, Yorke and more.

Amba Shepherd is the voice behind some of EDM’s most iconic anthems, captivating millions of listeners around the world with her distinctive vocals and heartfelt songwriting. Known for her ethereal yet powerful voice, Amba's collaborations with legendary producers such as Hardwell, Tiësto, R3HAB, and Paul Oakenfold have earned nearly a billion combined streams, multiple ARIA Club Chart Top Tens, three US iTunes #1 Dance releases, and a double-platinum certification for the global smash hit, "Apollo" (Hardwell & Amba Shepherd). Renowned as one of EDM’s premier topliners, Amba’s artistic journey is characterized by a profound commitment to authenticity and emotional connection. Her expansive catalog, featuring over 300 releases across influential labels like Armada Music, Spinnin’ Records, and Ultra Music, showcases a unique ability to transform personal experiences into universally resonant songs. In 2016, she launched her own imprint, Superrlativ, partnering with AWAL to independently release over 40 singles and champion new remix artists. Recognizing her enduring influence, Beat Music Fund [Armada Music] acquired a select portion of her back catalog in 2024, further cementing her legacy in dance music. Beyond the studio, Amba Shepherd is celebrated as a vibrant live performer, bringing her unforgettable anthems to iconic stages at Ultra Music Festival Miami, Tomorrowland Belgium, and many more. As an APRA AMCOS Ambassador and industry advocate, she actively mentors aspiring artists and contributes to shaping the future of electronic music. Driven by an unwavering passion for storytelling and a relentless pursuit of creative excellence, Amba Shepherd is a visionary force in EDM, empowering artists and fans alike.

Andrew Klippel is the co-founder of Ourness, the independent management, recording, and publishing label behind globally celebrated artists Genesis Owusu, Royel Otis, and rising indie act Sonic Reducer. Named AAM Manager of the Year 2025 and featured in Billboard's 'Indie Power Players 2025,' Andrew is a defining force in alternative music development.

Under his leadership, Genesis Owusu became a seven-time ARIA Award winner and gold-certified artist, while Royel Otis earned a US #1 Billboard Alternative, four ARIA Awards, 1 billion streams worldwide, and sold out 100+ shows across the globe in 2024.

With a career spanning three decades, Andrew has been widely acclaimed for his work as a producer, writer and performer, and has signed international acts like The Veronicas and The Vines. He continues to shape culture through Ourness, the 2024 AIR Independent Label of the Year, driven by his vision for bold artistry and global impact.

Annabelle Herd has been CEO of ARIA and PPCA since February 2021, bringing extensive media and government experience to Australia's music industry.

PPCA is non-profit copyright collecting society that provides blanket licences for the use of recorded music in Australia. Revenue generated from licensing is distributed to registered record labels and artists so they can continue to make music for us all to enjoy.

ARIA is a national industry association representing major and independent record producers, manufacturers and distributors. ARIA advocates for the Australian music industry, runs the prestigious ARIA Awards, compiles the ARIA Charts, administers the labeling code of practice, provides a ‘blanket’ non-exclusive licensing function for copyright users and compiles industry information and research.

She spent 16 years at Network 10, most recently as Chief Operating Officer overseeing operations, strategy, and government affairs. Her background includes senior political roles with former Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator the Hon. Richard Alston AO. Annabelle has held board positions including AFTRS Council membership from 2018-2023, and roles with Save the Children Australia, Freeview Australia, and Free TV Australia. A participant in McKinsey's Remarkable Women Program, she holds law and arts degrees from Australian National University.

As Head of A&R for TMRW Music (formerly Ministry of Sound Australia), Chris has worked on Platinum and Gold-selling records with the likes of Timmy Trumpet, Lost Frequencies, Loud Luxury & Jolyon Petch to name but a few. With over a decade working with artists to build recording careers, Chris approaches talent development with both razor sharp industry knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for the artistic process, building trust as a creative partner and strategic ally to the artists he works with.

Before becoming a professional in the music industry Daan Determeijer worked for several media companies and also was a DJ and event promotor. He’s one of the co-founders of crowdfunding platform & music label Africa Unsigned, working with some of Africa’s most talented artists like Sauti Sol a.o. Via underground label Basserk Records he moved to MusicAllStars Publishing in 2013 and took the A&R role at the publishing sister-company of the world’s leading dance label Spinnin' Records. In this role, he helped develop the artist roster including Oliver Heldens, Sam Feldt, Kris Kross Amsterdam a.o, as well as developing writers getting cuts with artists such as Ty Dolla $ign, Lady Gaga, Nicky Jam, J Balvin, Tiësto, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Britney Spears, David Guetta, Luis Fonsi, Anitta and many others.

In 2022 Daan started at Dutch CMO BumaStemra focusing on International Repertoire and creating opportunities and services for their International operating members.

BumaStemra represents composers, lyricists and music publishers. The organization provides remuneration for music use on radio, TV, streaming services, venues and in hospitality, retail and business premises, among other things. In addition, BumaStemra promotes Dutch copyright both at home and abroad. For example, Dutch composers, lyricists and music publishers are offered an international stage by supporting major events such as Eurosonic Noorderslag and the Amsterdam Dance Event.

Damian is the Chief Executive Officer & Company Secretary of AMPAL and is also AMPAL’s representative on the ICMP Global Board, engaged for these roles via the music industry consulting firm Sonic Rights Management, of which Damian is managing director.  A veteran of over 30 years in the music business since his days playing in bands in his native Perth, Damian is also the principal of its related music law firm, Sonic Lawyers. Damian brings a wealth of relevant music industry experience, including lengthy stints as head of legal & business affairs for both Sony Music Australia and Alberts, board member of PPCA, WAM and AMPAL, and past president of the Copyright Society of Australia. Particularly through his work supporting Alberts in managing the AC/DC and Vanda & Young catalogues, Damian has developed strong relationships with publishers large and small around the world, and a sophisticated understanding of the publishing landscape and challenges faced.  Damian holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Laws degree (specialising in media, communications and information technology) from the University of New South Wales.

Dan Zilber is an experienced artist manager and A&R executive with a career spanning artist development, music programming, and industry strategy. He is currently an Artist Manager at Lighter Than Air, following senior A&R roles at TikTok and Future Classic, where he worked closely with breakthrough acts including G Flip, Flume, Nick Murphy, and Flight Facilities.

With over two decades in the Australian music industry, Dan has also held influential roles at MTV Australia, Spunk Records, and FBi Radio — where he served as Music Director and later General Manager of Music. Known for his sharp instinct for emerging talent and deep understanding of music culture, Dan brings a wealth of expertise in discovering, championing, and supporting artists across genres and platforms.

Red Mgmts’ David Gillett is an entertainment executive with experience in management, live events, marketing, publicity and event management. His experience runs across international and iconic brands such as Disney, ABC TV and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the management of artists such as The Veronicas, Jimmy Rees and Tina Arena, playing a pivotal role in the development of their sound and release strategy. During his consultancy at Mardi Gras (from 2018-2020) as Marketing Manager and key talent booker the organisation returned to surplus and the key fundraiser “the Party” sold out each year, for the first time since 2011. David was key to securing acts such as Cher, Kylie Minogue and Dua Lipa during his time at the organisation. David is not afraid of ‘pop’ music, and does not subscribe to the belief that in order to be good, music cannot be mainstream and popular. He enjoys mixing art and commerce to its fullest potential.

David Ryan Harris is a soul singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer known for his rich blend of blues, soul, and rock. After co-founding the genre-bending band Follow For Now in the early ’90s, he signed to Columbia Records as a solo artist and released his self-titled debut in 1997. He later formed Brand New Immortals under Elektra, before the label folded and he pivoted to a prolific career as both a solo artist and collaborator.

Harris gained international recognition as a longtime guitarist and vocalist in John Mayer’s band (2004–2012) and has since written, produced or performed with artists including Dave Matthews, India.Arie, Santana, Derek Trucks, Cassandra Wilson, and Guy Sebastian. He co-wrote and produced six tracks on India.Arie’s Songversation, and his independent solo albums — including the fan-favourite The Bittersweet (2007) and Lightyears (2015) — feature appearances from John Mayer, India.Arie, Susan Tedeschi and Nikka Costa. Known for his soulful vocals and emotionally resonant songwriting, Harris continues to be a powerful voice in contemporary music.

François Tétaz is a two-time GRAMMY Award-winning composer and music producer with a career spanning more than 25 years. Best known for producing Gotye’s global hit “Somebody That I Used to Know”, Tétaz’s work moves fluidly across film, music, and contemporary art. His film credits include the iconic Australian thriller Wolf Creek, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, and theThe Surfer starring Nicolas Cage.

Gina Belafonte is an award-winning Producer, Director, Actress, Educator, Prison Abolitionist, and Freedom Activist. Co-founder of Sankofa.org, Gina has been using art as a tool for over 25 years to communicate messages of hope and civic engagement. Since its creation in 2013 Sankofa.org has been on the front lines and at the intersection of art and activism, organizing thousands to stand up for justice. As one of the lead organizers, Gina helped create one of the largest Marches in US history, as a Women's March Los Angeles co-Chair, MC and producer. One of Gina's favorite things is collaboration and she has contributed to and partnered on many projects with artists such as Whoopi Goldberg, Alfre Woodard, Billy Porter, Laverne Cox, Jesse Williams,  Douglas Miles, Shepard Farey, Ernesto Farrell, Hank Willis Thomas, GetLit and For Freedoms to name a few. Her leadership at Sankofa.org has led to some of the largest Voting campaigns in US history. "Art has a unique way of opening hearts and minds. Giving audiences an opportunity to see themselves reflected in the art itself. Art not only show's the world as it is but as it could be."

A dynamic, results-driven senior executive with 25+ years of leadership in strategic marketing, publicity, and promotions across the Australian and international music industries, including a distinguished tenure at Sony Music Entertainment.   Grant most recently held the position of Vice President Marketing, Publicity and Promotions.  Renowned for delivering innovative, high-impact campaigns that amplify artist stories, drive engagement, and grow market share across platforms.

Bringing expertise in leading cross-functional teams, fostering strategic industry partnerships, and mentoring emerging talent.  Passionate about artist development, collaborative environments that connect creativity with commercial strategy, contributing meaningfully to the evolving music ecosystem.

Grant Gillies is a creative marketing and events specialist who has worked in music, touring and television/ content for 20 years, on projects across the UK, Europe, UAE, USA and Australia.

As head of Marketing for a decade at Network Ten (Australia's #1 TV network for <40s), where he was also project manager for Oprah Winfrey's award-winning Ultimate Australian Adventure Project, as label manager at Jive/ BMG (managing domestic campaigns for Britney Spears, NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, Groove Armada and leading global pop artists) and director of Red Management with awarding winning campaigns in Australia for Beyonce (CommsCon 2014 Best Campaign of the Year) and MasterChef Australia (Promax Campaign of the Year 2010) and nominated for Best Live Event in NSW for Summer Camp 2023 (National Live Music Awards).

Artist management work includes Tina Arena (including A&R of 3 x top 5 Platinum albums), The Veronicas, Danielle Spencer and Jimmy Rees.

Greg Haver is an award-winning producer with a background in engineering, programming and drumming. He built his impressive reputation with artists including the Manic Street Preachers, Melanie C, INME, Opshop, John Cale, Catatonia, The Simpsons, Super Furry Animals and Bullet for my Valentine. He’s renowned for his diverse production skills and innovative arrangements.

Greg is currently based in Aotearoa / New Zealand producing artists including The Chills, Opshop, The Feelers, Devilskin, Ekko Park and Troy Kingi. He also produces extensively around Europe with Chinaski and O5A Radeček (Czech Republic) Onirama (Greece) Make Believe and GEM (Netherlands) Codes and Storyfold (Ireland) and Tribes of the City (Latvia).

He currently curates several songwriting, recording development and music synch workshops, set up the New Zealand Music Production Guild and gives seminars worldwide on production and the recording industry.

Griffin Goode is a Client Services Coordinator at Global Music Rights in Los Angeles, CA. At GMR, Griffin helps research and bring on new clients to the artist roster and supports those already signed to the PRO on the day-to-day. In addition to working at GMR, Griffin is also an avid songwriter, guitarist, and producer who has toured the country with his band, Shallow Alcove, and currently curates underground and DIY shows in the LA area.

Hayden Bell is a seasoned music executive with over 30 years of experience building and running global music companies. He specialises in discovering artists, songwriters and producers early in their careers and developing them into international brands, bringing with him a vast network of collaborators across artists, writers, producers, publishers and labels worldwide.

Hayden has been responsible for over 200 #1 singles and albums globally, delivering hits for artists including One Direction, Nicki Minaj, BTS, and Icona Pop, and discovering major acts such as Savage Garden and The Veronicas. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Kennel, one of the world’s most successful independent music publishing, production and management companies. Based in Stockholm, The Kennel’s team of over 45 writers and producers has delivered global hits including “Moon” (BTS), “Firestone” (Kygo feat. Conrad Sewell), “React” (Pussycat Dolls), “Red Flavor” (Red Velvet), and “You Ruin Me” (The Veronicas), among many others.

Prior to founding Bell Partners — a full-service music company offering publishing, label services, distribution, administration, licensing, management, and catalogue investment — Hayden served as Head of A&R for Sony Music Asia Pacific (2013–2019), overseeing 200 artists across 18 countries, including the Middle East and India. He has also held senior roles at BMG and SM Entertainment, and is a veteran songwriter and producer with a long-standing commitment to artist development on a global scale.

Helen Marx is a business strategist, digital problem-solver, and former Chief Commercial Officer at Australis Music Group and CMI Music & Audio. There, she oversaw a diverse portfolio of iconic brands including Gibson, ESP Guitars, Orange, Blackstar, Vox, Moog, Native Instruments, Universal Audio, Korg, Adamson, JBL and more. Her work connected world-class music gear and technology with the artists, studios, and retailers, and audio integrators who bring it to life. With a background in music, tech, and brand partnerships, Helen has spent her career helping artists and businesses turn big ideas into systems that actually work.

As cofounder of Mentor Academy, she mentors emerging creatives and works closely with artists to build careers that are both meaningful and sustainable. She cares deeply about creativity, community, and building practical pathways that support long-term growth in the creative industries.

Hiten Bharadia is a multi-platinum songwriter, publisher and founder of Phrased Differently, one of the UK’s most successful independent music publishing collectives. Based in Shoreditch, London, the company has earned over 150 No. 1 records, 300 Top 10s, 150 Platinum and 100 Gold certifications globally, with wins including BMI Awards for U.S. success with Miley Cyrus and Calvin Harris, BRIT Awards with Little Mix and Olly Murs, and Music Week’s Independent Publisher of the Year (2023).

With over 400 cuts to his name, Hiten’s songwriting credits span Craig David, Tiesto, Gorgon City, Lemar, Jessie J, EXO, Ella Eyre, Andreas Moe, Lewis Capaldi and more. His songs have featured in hit shows like Love Island UK and global brand campaigns for Apple, Skoda, and Peloton. Career highlights include the UK Silver Single “There For You” by Gorgon City and MK, the UK Gold Album Trust Me featuring Craig David’s “Officially Yours”, and the Double Platinum album The Truth About Love featuring Lemar. Passionate about developing new talent, Hiten works closely with emerging artists to help shape their stories into global hits — always starting with a song that won’t rest until it finds its perfect home.

Isabella Kearney, a versatile artist and songwriter hailing from Sydney, Australia, embarked on her musical journey at the age of 14 and has since become a prominent figure in the music industry. Her talent and versatility as a songwriter have led her to collaborate with critically acclaimed artists and writers, including Oak Felder (Alessia Cara, Lizzo), The Orphanage (Kehlani, Demi Lovato), David Hodges (Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood), Steve Solomon (James Arthur, Dean Lewis), Liz Rose (Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton), M-Phazes (Demi Lovato), JoJo, Jessica Mauboy, The Veronicas, Guy Sebastian, and many others. Isabella's songwriting prowess was evident with contributions to Jessica Mauboy's #1 ARIA album 'Hilda' with the single "Jealous" and Guy Sebastian's #1 ARIA album 'T.R.U.T.H.' with the single "Only Thing Missing”.

Her recent collaborations and cuts showcase the breadth of her talent, including work with Georgia Webster, Gabe Simon, Tenille Townes, Jillian Jacqueline, Madeline Edwards, Andrew Petroff, Aaron Chafin, Avi Kaplan, M-Phazes, Sam de Jong, Shaylen, Quinn Lewis, Matt Koziol, Zandi Holup, Story Slaughter, Lola Kirke, Cutfather, Grace Tyler, Abby Anderson, Carrie K, Claire Ernst, Zach Seabaugh, Dan Fernandez, Geoff Warburton, Ava Symone, Tony Esterly, Madeline Merlo, Lauren Weintraub, Caleb Hearn, and more. Isabella has also put together a beautiful EP of her own music she is set to begin releasing in late 2024.

The success of The Preatures introduced the world to Isabella Manfredi. As noted by iD-Vice “Isabella Manfredi has It — that thing one step up from plain-old charisma” and SMH for her “electrifying presence”. With multiple ARIA nominations, accolades and global tours under her belt, Isabella has become a strong artist advocate in the Australian music scene - as well as an esteemed rock vocalist. She has released the acclaimed solo album, izzi, produced the score for the HULU original film (Plan B, directed by Natalie Morales) and recently reformed with The Preatures for a celebration of their seminal debut album, Blue Planet Eyes.

John Watson is President of John Watson Management and it’s associated label, Eleven. The companies represent Birds Of Tokyo, Gotye, Missy Higgins, Midnight Oil, The Presets and John also co-manages Cold Chisel.

As double bassist, Jonathan has played with Pharoah Sanders, Branford Marsalis, Lionel Loueke, Kurt Elling, Jazzmeia Horn, Nigel Kennedy, Mark Murphy, Annie Ross, Larry Goldings, Johnny Griffin, Terri-Lynn Carrington, Tina Harrod, Genesis Owusu, Dobby, Mike Nock, Barney McAll and Laneous.

Jonathan is also an Aria Award winning composer, producer, songwriter, music curator and live music advocate.

Jonathan has a long history of creating live music residencies and performance opportunities in Sydney, with restaurants and bars becoming known for the live music they would present, such as Winebanc in Martin Place, the Astral Bar in Pyrmont, Mamasan in Bondi, Bad Mamas in Surry Hills and more recently the Eveleigh Hotel in Redfern.

He is co-director of The Starfish Club, a monthly concert series now celebrating it’s 24th year, featuring artists such as Jon Cleary, Deb Conway and Willy Zygier, Don Walker, Tim Rogers, Tina Harrod, Amanda Brown and Lindy Morrison, Leah Flannagan, Rai Thistlethwayte, Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty, Diana Rouvas, Steve Kilbey, Jade MacRae, Mahalia Barnes, Lucy Thorne and many many more. He curated a series of free concerts for City of Sydney in 2021 under the working title ‘Music and Architecture’.

He is currently pursuing an initiative to reactivate bandstands and rotundas in NSW for Make Music Day and is passionately interested in seeing more Australian Music performed and played at every major sporting event. Jonathan is a Writer Director on the Board of APRA.

He has released three award winning albums as composer and bandleader. His debut Album ‘The Sea’ was released in 2009 and won two Bell awards. His follow up CD entitled ‘The Remembering and Forgetting of the Air’, won best jazz album in the Australian Recording Industry (AIR) awards. His third Album ‘Animarum’ (2018) won the ARIA for best jazz album as well as the Bell and Air awards for that year. In late 2019 recorded with Mike Nock, Julien Wilson and Hamish Stuart a composer’s collaborative album entitled ‘This World’ which was released in 2020 to critical acclaim, sold out a two week National tour and was nominated for an ARIA award.

In 2021 the follow up album ‘Another Dance’ was recorded and released in early 2022. It entered at no 2 on the ARIA Blues and Roots Charts. In 2021 Jonathan was commissioned by SIMA to compose a concert work for the visiting Finnish Harpist and pianist Iro Haarla. After some delay due to the Covid epidemic, the suite was performed for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival in November 2022. The Melbourne concert was recorded and broadcast by the ABC. He co-produced and wrote the orchestrations for singer/songwriter Martha Marlow’s debut album, Medicine Man released in May 2021.

Jonathan has a Masters Degree in Music from the Australian National University, an Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies from the NSW Conservatorium and also completed a diploma in screen composition at the Australian Film Television and Radio School in 2012. He co-produced a ten part series on Australian jazz for ABC TV entitled ‘The Pulse’, which has been re-screened many times since the series’ release in 2001. He has composed Music for documentaries - ‘To Spring From The Hand’ (2014) ‘Ka-Ching, a Pokies Nation’ (ABC, 2015), ‘Madhattan’, (2016), ‘The Scribe’ (ABC 2017) ‘Backtrack Boys’ (ABC 2018), ‘Richard Leplastrier – Framing the View’ (ABC 2020) and a number of short films also.

He is currently working on the orchestrations and arrangements for Martha Marlow’s second album ‘Queen of the Night’, a collaboration with pianist Chris Abrahams due for release in 2025. He is also a Writer Director Board member of APRA

Julian McGruther is a creative and music executive based in Sydney, Australia.

With experience in music, media and entertainment, Julian brings a creative edge and depth of knowledge to his diverse career. From producing ARIA Award winning music videos, to A&R-ing chart-topping records, his passion for music and creativity has seen him excel across industries.

He is currently Senior A&R at Sony Music Publishing Australia following his 7-year tenure as Creative Director at Australian Indie giant Mushroom Music, where he was instrumental in the success of their roster with artists like Budjerah, Jem Cassar-Daley, Blush’ko, Dean Brady, and more.

He also brought in significant international business striking a deal to represent Budde Music’s German and French catalogues, as well as attracting international talent like Swedish writer-producer Mona Khoshoi, Grammy Award winning Shungudzo and UK singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins.

Leading Mushroom’s collaborative efforts, he also worked with writers like Amy Shark, Nat Dunn, Middle Kids, Gordi, Mansionair, merci mercy, Mia Wray, Anna Lunoe, Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe, merci mercy, Dan Sultan), Pip Norman (Troye Sivan / Baker Boy), Msquared (Aloe Blacc / Tkay Maidza/ James Johnston/ Casey Barnes) and curated songwriting camps around the country attended by world-renowned songwriters and producers like John Ryan (Teddy Swims / One Direction / Sabrina Carpenter) and AFTERHRS (Maroon 5, One Direction, James Bay)

Kate Wickett is a creative executive and lawyer with a long-standing passion for the arts, community, and cultural expression. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of City Recital Hall in Sydney, where she leads one of Australia’s most iconic live music venues, dedicated to diverse programming and musical excellence.

Kate was previously CEO of Sydney WorldPride 2023, where she oversaw the design and delivery of one of the largest cultural festivals ever held in the Southern Hemisphere. She also served as Co-Chair of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, playing a key role in shaping one of the world’s most celebrated LGBTQIA+ arts festivals.

Kathy McCabe is the National Music Writer for News Corp with more than 30 years experience covering the big album and single releases and best – and worst – gigs to hit Australian stages. She gets the interviews with the biggest stars in the world from the Rolling Stones and Foo Fighters to Pink and Cher and is a passionate advocate for the music community.

Katie O’Hagan graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Entertainment Industries. Katie began her career at Sony Music Entertainment Australia as an intern based in the company’s Brisbane branch, from there she moved into an Artist Relations role before relocating to Sydney where she joined the A&R Academy. Now back in Brisbane, Katie currently holds the role of Sony Music Entertainment Australia’s Senior A&R Manager where she is responsible for working with the company’s roster of artists. During her nine years at Sony Music Entertainment Australia, Katie has worked with a vast range of recording artists, from emerging artists, all the way through to some of the country’s most established and recognisable musicians. Katie is also responsible for organising Sony Music Entertainment Australia’s songwriting camps.  Katie is passionate about elevating Australian music and advocating for equitable songwriter rights.

Kirsty Davison is a visionary executive with deep expertise in marketing, digital innovation, and strategic transformation across the music and technology industries. As Chief Customer Officer at APRA AMCOS, she leads initiatives that support over 124,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers across Australasia, driving customer-focused strategies that empower and support music creators.

Kirsty also serves as a Board Director for noro, a not for profit organisation that delivers life-transforming clinical music therapy and community music programs. Her career spans leadership roles in music, media and technology businesses, with a proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering impactful digital customer experiences across international markets.

Her commitment to innovation and creator advocacy makes her a valued voice in the global music community.

Kurt Luthy is the Executive Director of The Music Producer & Engineers’ Guild of Australia (MPEG) and a producer/artist manager who has worked extensively with multi award-winning producers and composers.

Since 2012, Kurt has been a producer-manager with Catherine Haridy Management, prior to which he was the Executive Producer of the critically acclaimed and ARIA nominated compilation albums ‘To Hal and Bacharach’ and ‘Corroboration’.

Hailing from a DJ background, Kurt is a passionate music lover with a firm focus on recorded music and the broader music production community.

Kurt is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), due for completion in 2026.

As a wunderkind performer in her birthplace of Australia, Kylie Sackley dazzled audiences with her authentic grasp of country, her gorgeously expressive vocals, and her electrifying stage presence. When she won Australia’s most prestigious country music talent search, Star Maker (Keith Urban was a previous winner), she made the fateful decision to go the route of being a professional songwriter, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Now living and writing in Nashville, Kylie is adept at all facets of songwriting, comfortable writing lyrics, melodies, music, and contributing production ideas. Kylie’s songs have been recorded by Sam Hunt, Keith Urban, Randy Houser, Alan Jackson, Danielle Bradbery, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes and more; including Walker Hayes’ single “You Broke Up With Me.”

L-FRESH The LION is one of Australia’s most powerful hip-hop voices — an ARIA-nominated MC whose work blends sharp lyricism, social justice, and South Asian identity. His career highlights include performing at SummerStage Festival in New York’s Central Park for The Aussie BBQ during hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, serving as a global YouTube Creators for Change ambassador, and delivering a keynote performance at the United Nations.

Raised in South-West Sydney by Punjabi immigrant parents, L-FRESH channels Sikh values of equality and purpose through music that champions resilience and cultural pride. He has released three critically acclaimed albums — One (2014, featuring KRS-One), Become (2016), and SOUTH WEST (2020) on Elefant Traks — and collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Mike Elizondo (Eminem, 50 Cent). His international presence spans the UK, Canada, and India’s hit show MTV Hustle. He’s performed alongside Nas, Sir Elton John, Talib Kweli, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, and is the writer and performer of WE THE KINGS, the official anthem for the Sydney Kings (NBL). L-FRESH continues to use hip-hop as a platform for cultural visibility, self-determination, and systemic change.

Lani Richmond is a Fijian-born, Australian-raised talent manager with over 20 years of experience in the global music and entertainment industries. Since 2014, she has managed Grammy-nominated artist Aloe Blacc, overseeing international tours, major label releases, and global collaborations, including the 2019 Super Bowl Tailgate. Earlier in her career, she worked closely with Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, coordinating tours, media, and his bestselling autobiography. She also supported high-profile clients such as Steven Seagal and Damon Wayans.

As APRA AMCOS’s Member Relations Representative in Los Angeles, Lani helped emerging Australian artists break into the U.S. market. A longtime promoter of Australia’s R&B scene, she brings deep industry knowledge, cultural insight, and a global network to the Volume Foundation board.

Lars Brandle is the Australia Correspondent for Billboard, where he has reported from the frontline of the global music industry for more than 25 years. A former musician, he first joined Billboard in 2000 and went on to serve as Global News Editor before taking on his current role. From June 2024 to May 2025, Brandle was Head of Content at Vinyl Media, overseeing coverage across the group’s music and pop-culture titles, including Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Variety AU, Tone Deaf and The Music Network, and was subsequently promoted to Editorial Director.

Leah Harris leads the Artist and Label Partnerships team at Spotify, working closely with artists, labels, and their teams to grow audiences both locally and globally. Through editorial playlists, global initiatives like RADAR and Fresh Finds, and local programs such as Turn Up Aus, she helps unlock strategic opportunities for artist development and music discovery.

Previously, Leah was Spotify's Executive Producer for Podcasts, where she developed original content, commissioned creator programs, and supported podcast teams in maximising their reach and impact on the platform. A passionate advocate for artist education and industry collaboration, Leah is dedicated to building sustainable careers and sharing insights across the music ecosystem.

Loretta Muñoz is Assistant Vice President of Membership at ASCAP and a recognised force in talent development, with over two decades of experience supporting and elevating songwriters and composers across pop, country, R&B, Latin, and screen music. A passionate advocate for creative excellence, she has played a key role in shaping the careers of countless artists and continues to champion new voices and original songs through her work.

Before joining ASCAP, Loretta held senior creative roles at Chappell Music, Morris Music and United Artists Music, and has long been a trusted voice across the music industry. She serves on the Board of Governors for the Los Angeles Chapter of The Recording Academy, and is a sought-after advisor and speaker known for her deep insight into both the artistic and business sides of music.

Established in 2014, Milk & Honey Music + Sports + Ventures is a 21st-century hybrid entertainment management company with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Dallas and London. The company was launched in 2014 by Founder and President Lucas Keller, a 20-year veteran of the music industry who in 11 years has built one of the biggest global talent management companies approaching 50 employees.

Milk & Honey has the largest songwriter producer roster in the world and represents over 20 global DJs including names like Oliver Heldens, Benny Benassi, Joel Corry and more as well as 80 athletes including stars like Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs), Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos), Kam Curl (Los Angeles Rams) and more.  With over a billion albums sold, run a finger down the Billboard Hot 100 in any given week and you’ll quickly find a song penned or produced by a Milk & Honey songwriter.

The company’s clients have had some of the biggest global hits of the century, including Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” BTS’ chart-topping “Butter,” Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber’s “Despacito,” James Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go,” Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” and many more with current records on the chart from David Guetta, Doechii, Doja Cat, Travis Scott, Morgan Wallen, Post Malone and more.

Since the pandemic, the company has sold over $300 million in publishing catalogs and are considered to be thought leaders in the sale of music rights. Just in the songwriter producer space, the company has a 15-person creative team, the largest in the world. Milk & Honey is a one stop shop for talent - Keller still categorizes the company as a mid-sized boutique and intends to keep that spirit as the company continues to expand in a strategic manner. Milk & Honey exports more songs to the international marketplace than any other songwriter producer management company and holds a record of over 25 songs in the Spotify billion streamers club and had 16 Grammy nominations for the 2025 65th Grammy Awards

Prior to founding Milk & Honey, Lucas Keller spent 5 years at Beverly Hills music/tv/film powerhouse, The Collective (a group who represented Linkin Park, Kanye West, Enrique Iglesias, Slash, Peter Gabriel and others) and staged come backs with legends like Jimmy Cliff and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots.

In the past few years, Keller has been featured on the Billboard 40 Under 40, the Billboard Power 100, Billboard’s inaugural Top LGBTQ Executives List, Variety New Leaders List 2022 and awarded the top 20 percentile on Inc Magazine’s fastest-growing privately held companies two years in a row.

More information on the company at milkhoneyla.com

Previously Apple Music Lead for ANZ, and Head of Australian Artists at UMG - now founder and MD at Impressed Recordings, a pioneering Australian record label, founded in 2023.

Across her career, Mardi Caught has held multiple senior executive positions within Warner, EMI & Sony - both in Australia & the UK. During her time in the UK, whilst working at MTV, she served as a judge for the Mercury Music Prize, In 2009, she returned to Australia to start the juggle of working mum & major label executive. Mardi established The Annex in 2018 to focus on her love of artist development. The company has since worked on groundbreaking campaigns for a range of artists including Lime Cordiale, Bluey, Genesis Owusu, Matt Corby, Melanie C, Tash Sultana, Alice Ivy, Royal Otis & Hiatus Kaiyote.

Maria Amato is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR), where she leads national initiatives supporting Australia's independent music sector. Since joining AIR in 2008, Maria has transformed the organisation's operations and financial performance, building strategic partnerships and expanding its industry impact.

Appointed CEO in 2016, she oversees AIR’s flagship programs including the AIR Awards, Indie-Con Australia, and the Women in Music Mentor Program, helping to elevate independent artists, labels and music professionals across the country. With a background in finance and advocacy, Maria is a respected voice in the Australian music industry and a passionate champion for independent music and artist development.

Marianna is currently Vice President, Commercial & Creative at Universal Music Publishing. She is an experienced music lawyer and previously held senior legal and business affairs roles at major record labels and music publishers including EMI Australia and BMG Entertainment in New York. She was head of ABC Music Publishing from 2010 to 2020.

In 2023 Marianna was the recipient of the AWMA for Music Leadership.

Marianna is UMP’s alternate director on the APRA and AMCOS boards.

She loves great songwriting.

Marion Goodman-Briand is the Music Partnerships Lead for YouTube Australia and New Zealand. In this role, she collaborates closely with artists, record labels, management companies, and industry organizations to promote Australian and New Zealand music culture on a global platform. Her work includes supporting major events such as the ARIA Awards, where she has played a key role in amplifying local talent to international audiences.

Matt Corby is one of Australia’s most compelling singer-songwriters, known for his soulful vocals, genre-blending style, and emotionally resonant songwriting. He achieved his commercial breakthrough with the 2011 EP Into the Flame, featuring the ARIA Award-winning single Brother. The release went 6× Platinum and marked the beginning of a career defined by artistic integrity and evolution. His debut album Telluric (2016) debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Charts, followed by the acclaimed Rainbow Valley (2018), both showcasing his signature blend of introspective lyricism and expansive musicality.

His most recent album, Everything’s Fine, was nominated for Album of the Year, Best Produced Release and Best Engineered Release at the 2023 ARIA Awards, and also shortlisted for Australian Album of the Year at the 2023 J Awards. A long-time champion of songwriting craft, Corby was a Final 12 artist in the inaugural Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition in 2009 and won first place in 2019 with Miracle Love.

Across his career, he has earned 3 ARIA Awards, including Song of the Year for both Brother and Resolution, with a total of 13 ARIA nominations and multiple APRA nods, including a win for Most Performed R&B/Soul Work in 2022. With a catalogue that continues to resonate deeply, Matt Corby remains a defining voice in contemporary Australian music.

Michael Harrison spent the first 27 years of his career by the side of Michael Gudinski at Frontier Touring Company - Australia & New Zealand’s premier international concert promoter. There he directed major concert tours by some of music biggest stars such as Harry Styles, Shawn Mendes, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Tyler the Creator, Justin Timberlake, Midnight Oils Great Circle Tour, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins and many more.

In 2019, Harrison relocated to Los Angeles as Senior Vice President of AEG’s Global Touring division - a global promoter that produces some of the biggest tours in the world! With offices in LA, Nashville, New York, London, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Melbourne – AEG is a powerhouse in its ability to produce global tours for artists from all parts of the world.

While engineering the re-structure of Global Touring’s international operations, Michael has overseen AEG’s K-Pop touring business as the genre emerges to being a worldwide music phenomenon.  In 2022-23, he produced and promoted Blackpink’s groundbreaking “BornPink” world tour which sold over 1 million tickets and included their history-making headline performance at Coachella.

Most recently he promoted Kylie Minogue’s first arena headline tour of North America and currently promoting Tyler the Creator’s world tour.

Milly Olykan is SVP of Artist Development & Global Touring at Live Nation, leading the company’s global country and Americana strategy. Previously Vice President at the Country Music Association, Milly was instrumental in expanding country music’s international reach, building a global network of industry leaders and shaping the programming of CMA Fest. She co-founded Country to Country (C2C), the largest country music festival outside North America, and helped launch UK Country Music Week. A former VP at AEG Presents, she pioneered country touring in the UK and was awarded the CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award for her impact on the genre’s global growth. Today, Milly continues to create touring opportunities that connect country artists and songwriters with fans around the world.

N'fa F-Jones is an Australian/Sierra-Leonean Award wining music artist, university lecturer, workshop facilitator, documentary producer, CLOCK sector expert, Grid Series program manager, BMAA Board member, and sits on the ARIA Hip Hop & RnB Advisory board. N'fa's journey in the music industry began with his 2002 ARIA award-winning Hip Hop band “1200 Techniques,” which played a crucial role in solidifying the Australian Hip Hop movement. Touring both locally and internationally with his multi-award nominated Afro-beat group “Cool Out Sun”, N'fa has gathered a wealth of experience and cultural insight. His commitment to the local musical community aims to inspire and nurture the diverse landscape of Australian music and industry experts.

Nat Dunn is a Brisbane-born artist, songwriter, and producer whose global impact spans pop and electronic music. She’s written chart-topping hits for Marshmello & Anne-Marie (“FRIENDS”), Kygo, Rita Ora, Hayden James, and Duke Dumont, earning her a place on APRA AMCOS’s 1,000,000,000 List as the inaugural recipient of the award. As one half of electronic duo NAATIONS, Dunn has also released acclaimed tracks like “Real Life” and “Foolproof.” Known for her powerful vocals and dynamic songwriting, she continues to shape the global music landscape as a collaborator through her production and songwriting skills and as a solo artist.

Pam Sheyne is a multi-platinum selling songwriter, vocal producer, singer and mentor.  Her songwriting career has achieved success on a global scale and includes international hit records and song placements in numerous films and TV shows around the world.  With 50+ million record sales, 100+ platinum sales, she is also a prestigious Ivor Novello Award winning songwriter and a 7 times BMI Radio Play Award recipient.

Pam is a also a founding member of SONA (Songwriters of North America) a grass roots advocacy group based in LA that actively fights for songwriter rights.

Paul Clements is Chief Executive Officer of the Music Publishers Association Group (UK), representing the rights and interests of music publishers, songwriters and composers across the UK music industry. With over two decades of experience at PRS for Music, Paul has worked extensively across performing rights, membership, international licensing, and mechanical rights.

Renowned for his strategic leadership and deep expertise in copyright and licensing, Paul is a vocal advocate for the value of songwriting and the economic rights of creators. He brings a unique commercial perspective to the judging panel, shaped by years of championing music creators and negotiating key industry partnerships that ensure songwriters are fairly paid for their work.

Paul Lambess doesn’t just work in music—he lives and breathes it. From picking up the drum sticks for the school band, to acquiring two of Australia’s most iconic music stores, Musos Corner & the Guitar Lounge, on thing in Paul’s journey has always been evident: his commitment to supporting and growing the music industry.

At Musos Corner, he helped transform a simple shop into a creative community, mentoring artists and promoting cutting-edge gear. In 2024 The Guitar Lounge joined the fold and continues to be a cherished institution with music enthusiasts
Now, through Winarch Music, Paul’s mission is even bigger. He’s nurturing the next generation of artists with hands-on development, world-class events, and projects that bring local talent into the national spotlight.

Whether it’s mentoring, developing, or creating new spaces for artists to thrive, Paul’s work is grounded in the belief that music is more than a beat—it’s community, connection, and possibility.

Petrina Convey runs UNITY. Mgmt Group, an Australian based music management and consultancy business specialising in global strategy, artist development, cultural marketing and preparing artists for export.

She consults for labels including Warner Music, and works with Australian artists including Ruel, PANIA, SAHXL and Stan Walker. Petrina has also consulted on The Kid LAROI and worked on the marketing for OneFour’s groundbreaking EP ‘Against All Odds’.

In her previous role as Vice President of Cultural Marketing and Artist Development across the Asia Pacific region at Sony Music, she was responsible for overseeing the marketing, PR and promo of superstars including SZA, Khalid, Travis Scott, Future and Diplo, implemented the first Asia Pacific cultural marketing initiative, and was involved in the signing and development of global breakout artists The Kid LAROI and Ruel.

Phil Barton is an Australian-born, Nashville-based songwriter known for crafting heartfelt hits  across multiple genres. He broke into the Country Music scene with the US Billboard #1 smash “A Woman Like You” by Lee Brice - a massive hit that earned him Music Row’s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year award and an NSAI “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” award, and has since gone three times Platinum in the USA. Barton went on to build an impressive catalog with cuts by Sara Evans, Gabby Barrett, Dustin Lynch, Eli Young Band, Priscilla Block, Max McNown, Matt Stell, LOCASH, Alison Krauss, Chis Janson, Ashley McBryde, David Nail, and many more. His song “Cowboy’s Duty” was featured in the 3 time Oscar-nominated Sicario. Internationally, he has landed multiple Number 1 and Top 10 singles in Canada with artists like Tim Hicks, High Valley, Brett Kissell, Gord Bamford, The Washboard Union, and Meghan Patrick, while also earning multiple Number 1’s in Australia with artists like Kaylee Bell, Lee Kernaghan, Busby Marou, The Wolfe Brothers, among others. Barton has over 900 songs released throughout the world in the Country, Pop and Children’s music genres.

Poppy Reid is the Co-Founder of Curious Media, an innovative new disruptor in the podcasting space, and a Music & Culture Journalist and Presenter for the Seven Network.

She previously co-founded The Brag Media, where she launched Rolling Stone and Variety in Australia and New Zealand – both of which were successfully sold in 2024. A multi-award-winning journalist and media commentator, Poppy has been recognised as Music Journalist of the Year at the 2022 Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA), received the Publishing accolade at the 2023 Mediaweek Next of the Best Awards, and was most recently honoured as Champion of Change at the B&T Women in Media Awards.

Australian Born Polynesian RnB Soul Artist, Prinnie Stevens.

Prinnie started out singing & dancing at the age of 5 and had her first record deal at the age of 13.

Prinnie landed her 1st professional gig at 17 in the HIT musical RENT, then shortly after landing a role in Baz Lurhman's Moulin Rouge The movie. She continued her success in musical theatre with Thriller LIVE  (West End - LONDON) The Bodyguard (songs of Whitney Houston),  the iconic role of Sheila in the 50th Anniversary of HAIR  at The Sydney Opera House. Prinnie spent several years in the USA signed to Sony Records in New York City, working with artists like Mary j, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan and producers like Dark Child and Dallas Austin. Prinnie then returned to Australia to be apart of  Season1 of The Voice where she wowed audiences with her high energy RnB Soul performances that set her aside from the rest.

Her ability to perform, sing, dance and act at the highest level has solidified her place as one of the most sort after performers in the country.

Rachel Kelly is the newly appointed General Manager, Publishing & Sync - Community Music, part of UNIFIED Music Group. Community Music is a global distribution and artist services alternative that exists to enhance artist independence and control.  Its aim is to support the development of great Australian artists in building long-term global careers.

Rachel is also founder and Creative Director of EQ Music Agency, an independent service-based agency providing frontline creative support for independent artists, songwriters, music publishers and record labels, specialising in A&R and Synchronisation.

With over 25 years' experience in music , Rachel has held executive roles at major and independent publishers including Downtown Music, BMG Rights Management, J Albert & Son (Alberts) and Warner/Chappell Music. In 2019 Rachel was named as a Billboard Power Player and served on the board for the Australasian Music Publishers’ Association. Rachel continues to act as a mentor for Women In Music and advocate for songwriters, artists and the cultural value of music.

Ralph W, Peer is the grandson of Ralph S. Peer who founded peermusic in 1927. Peermusic is now one of the world's largest music publishers with over 35 offices. Prior to joining peermusic Ralph W. worked in international politics and intellectual property law. Ralph formally joined the company in 2019 and has worked across many different areas including international licensing, A&R, and management. Ralph currently manages both the UK and Australian offices as well as acting as Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. In A&R Ralph has worked directly with Australian acts such as ZIggy Ramo and One Four, in the U.K. with Nothing But Thieves, Dusky, and High Contrast amongst others, and in Africa with producers such as Freshy, Tochi Bedford and Larry Gaaga.

Ron Haryanto is a music industry consultant and artist mentor with over 20 years of experience across songwriting, performance, and creative business leadership. The former General Manager of Australia’s iconic Studios 301 and CEO of Abbey Road Institute Sydney, Ron has worked with some of the country’s most celebrated artists while leading education and community-first initiatives that support emerging talent. He is the co-founder of Mentor Academy, a new platform reshaping how artists learn, grow, and connect in the modern music industry.

Ruth Bailey is the Trade Marketing Manager for Sennheiser ANZ, leading brand strategy and industry partnerships for both Sennheiser and Neumann.Berlin across Australia and New Zealand. Working at the intersection of music, marketing, and culture, she drives initiatives that connect iconic audio brands with the people shaping sound today.

Ruth has led major campaigns and strategic sponsorships, including aligning Neumann.Berlin with the ARIA Awards and securing naming rights for the Music Producer & Engineers’ Guild Awards. She also collaborates with organisations such as Support Act and APRA SongMakers to foster community, support creative talent, and strengthen the broader music ecosystem. As part of her ongoing commitment to championing artists, Ruth has played a key role in Sennheiser’s sponsorship of this year’s Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, helping connect songwriters with world-class audio tools and opportunities.

Sarah has a First-Class degree In Composition from Bath Spa University. Following graduation, she embarked upon a media career at BBC as Floor Manager for UK Television before side-stepping into a TV Researcher role in Entertainment. She then moved over to the commercial arm of the BBC as Programme Liaison Executive to then be appointed as Deputy Head of Music Publishing and then promoted to Head of Music. In this role she played a major part in developing and expanding what became one of the leading media music publishing companies in the UK. In 2004, Sarah founded independent music publishing company BDi Music and recently celebrated its 20th year - a thriving multimillion-pound music publishing business garnering many accolades including a Grammy and four Ivor Novellos Awards. She is also Co-Director & Director A&R at Bucks Music Group, Co-Director of The Movement London (a co-venture publishing company with multi-platinum producer Jake Gosling) and sits on the Board of Directors for The Music Publishers Association, Ireland. In 2013 she was nominated for a Music Producer’s Guild Award in the Unsung Hero category and she also received an ASCAP Award in recognition as exclusive publisher of Ed Sheeran’s hit song ‘Lego House’. In 2014 she was included on the Roll Of Honour at the Women in Music Awards - she is also the proud co-publisher of 2016 Grammy award winning Song Of The Year, ‘Thinking Out Loud’. Sarah has received global representation recognition at the ASCAP Awards as publisher of ‘Thinking Out Loud’. In 2017 Sarah was presented a Gold Badge Award from the Ivors Academy and in 2022 she received an honorary doctorate from Bath Spa University. In 2024 Sarah received a prestigious Gold Badge from the UK Music Publisher’s Association in recognition of her services to the music publishing sector. Sarah is a passionate and experienced music publisher who develops the careers of unbeatable, innovative and creative Artists, Producers, Songwriters and Composers.

Shaun Heron is a multi-award winning content director with more than 20 years experience in the radio industry working for the Nova and ARN Networks in Australia and KIIS FM in Los Angeles.

Simon Moor is the Managing Director of Kobalt Music Publishing APAC, a key figure in the music publishing industry with a career dedicated to promoting local talent and driving global success. He has been a director on the APRA Board since November 2021 and a director of AMCOS since 2013. Additionally, Simon sits on the board of AMPAL, further contributing to the development and growth of the music publishing landscape in Australia and beyond.

Simon’s journey with Kobalt began in 2010, when he established Kobalt Music Publishing in Australia and New Zealand. With a strong commitment to nurturing homegrown talent, Simon quickly positioned the company for international acclaim. His work helped launch the global careers of artists such as Gotye, Flume (Future Classic), and Dean Lewis, creating a foundation for continued success. The current Kobalt roster under his leadership boasts prominent artists and songwriters, including Royel Otis, G Flip, Parkway Drive, John Williamson, Kev Carmody, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Cosmo’s Midnight, Flight Facilities (Future Classic), Genesis Owusu, Spacey Jane, Tash Sultana, and Tim Minchin.

In 2016, Simon expanded Kobalt’s footprint in the Asia-Pacific region by establishing Kobalt Music Publishing Asia in Hong Kong. His expertise in navigating the intricacies of different markets has been crucial to Kobalt’s success across the region. Simon led the development of strategic business plans for each country, built strong connections with local music industries, performing rights organisations, and formed key partnerships with major players like NetEase Cloud Music and Tencent Music Entertainment. Simon’s ability to foster relationships across the region further underscores his deep understanding of the global music publishing ecosystem.

Prior to joining Concord Music Publishing as SVP A&R, Tom DeSavia was Head of Creative Services for SONGS Music Publishing, where he managed a large portion of the pubco's roster. He spent many years at ASCAP, where he served as SVP of Membership, heading up the PRO’s pop/rock staff, managing offices in LA, NYC, and Chicago. DeSavia also spent six years as VP of A&R at Elektra Entertainment where he signed and developed talent and worked on projects with many iconic artists on the label’s historic roster.

He has served on the board of directors for the Songwriters Hall of Fame (West Coast), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). In 2016 DeSavia co-authored "Under the Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk" with punk rock legend John Doe, which spent eleven weeks on the L.A. Times non-fiction bestseller list; the audiobook brought the authors a 2017 Grammy Nomination in the "Best Spoken Word" category. Doe and DeSavia's 2019 follow-up book, "More Fun in the New World," also spent many weeks on the bestseller list and received great acclaim.

Dan Rankine PKA trials is a renowned producer from Adelaide Australia with 2 x Double Platinum and 10 x Gold records under his belt, along with 4 x ARIA Awards and 5 further nominations. He signed to Universal Music Australia in 2020 and Sony publishing in 2010.

As a producer, trials has written musical scores for several movies, mini series and documentaries. His impressive body of work includes collaborations, co-writes and production of tracks with a wide range of artists and genres including: Drapht, Gurrumul, Archie Roach, Hilltop Hoods, Pete Murray, Seth Sentry, Illy, DZ Deathrays, Paul Kelly, Thelma Plum, Mo’Ju and Dune Rats to name a few.

trial’s work with A.B.ORIGINAL has left a mark on the Australian music scene like no other. A.B. ORIGINAL have appeared at a number of live events including; BigSound Keynote presentation and interview; MC and key performer at Laneway 2017; and support act for - 50cent Australian tour; Hilltop Hoods Australian tour; Midnight Oil and a special live performance with Paul Kelly at the 2017 ARIA Awards.

AWARDS

2021 Screen Music Awards Best Original Song Composed for Screen BAG-I-LAM BARGAN w/ Birdz & Fred Leone
2018 APRA AMCOS Music Songwriter of the year w/ A.B.ORIGINAL
2017 Triple J Album of the Year w/ A.B. ORIGINAL
2017 ARIA Best Urban Album and Best Independent release w/ A.B. ORIGINAL
2017 Australian Music Prize and 2 x 2017 ARIA Awards w/ A.B. ORIGINAL
2017 NIMA Awards Song of the Year w/ A.B. ORIGINAL

SYNCS
Music Producer: Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky
The Australian Dream: A.B. ORIGINAL – I Stand
Scored Netflix film Cargo & feature song w/ Gurrumul
Scored season 1-2 & Title song of Cleverman

FEATURE AND GUEST PRODUCTION
Hilltop Hoods – The Great Expanse – Gold Status
Drapht – Rapunzel – 4 x Platinum status
Seth Sentry – Dear Science – Gold Status
Draft – The Life of Riley LP – Platinum Status
and ARIA Award Best Urban Release

Tushar Apte is an Australian record producer, songwriter, and composer known for his work with some of the biggest names in global music. Originally from Newcastle, New South Wales, he has collaborated on high profile releases with artists like Chris Brown, Demi Lovato, Zayn Malik, Nicki Minaj, BTS, Blackpink and on Benson Boone's platinum single 'Ghost Town'. To date, his records have amassed over 3.2 billion streams.

Beyond record production, Apte has also contributed music to film and television projects, including award-winning The Bobby Brown Story on BET. Additionally, a decade long involvement in music technology (starting as a sound designer and developing into larger projects) has made him a highly sought after consultant and connector for many of the leading startups in music Ai.

In 2022, he was honoured with the 'Rising Star' award at the G’Day USA Arts Gala, recognizing his impact on the global music industry.

Uncanny Valley (UV) is a prolific, award-winning, Sydney/LA-based songwriting and music production team, founded by renowned dance music producer and classically trained pianist Justin Shave (Sia, Fatboy Slim, The Shapeshifters, The Potbelleez, Etherfox, Ministry of Sound Live Tour) and career songwriter and screen music producer Charlton Hill (Briggs, Dallas Woods, Vassy, Josh Moreland, Francci Richard, Marieme, Marcia Hines, Phoebe Stewart). UV has worked simultaneously across the recording, TV/streaming and advertising industries for over fifteen years, collaborating with local and international artists and composing for countless TV series, themes, trailers and brand campaigns for networks such as Paramount +, Foxsports, ABC, BBC, Seven, Ten, Nine and SBS. Flagship projects include: Fox League’s ‘Here’ - Briggs feat. Caiti Baker (AGSC award), 'The Bridge' (narrated by Hugo Weaving), 'Bluey' (UV’s David Barber), Sydney Opera House 50th Anniversary installation, ‘The Summit' (Australia and US series) and Emmy award-winning series 'Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds'. Uncanny Valley is also signed to UMPG’s Classics and Screen roster.

Warryn Campbell is an acclaimed music producer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and the founder of My Block Inc. Hailing from South Central Los Angeles, he transformed early passion into a prolific career spanning genres, earning multiple Grammy® Awards and collaborating with legends like Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, and Mary Mary.

Starting out under DJ Quik's mentorship, Campbell became a visionary force in music, composing for major films and TV series such as Jumping the Broom, For Colored Girls, The Best Man, and BET’s Kingdom Business.

Despite an intense career, Campbell balances life as a devoted husband, father, pastor of California Worship Center, and creative leader. Guided by his faith and family-first philosophy, he remains a generous soul whose authenticity and brilliance leave a lasting impact on every life he touches.

Will Tinkler is the co-founder of Mandatory Music, a fast-growing label and artist services company known for its data-driven content strategies, high-volume digital marketing and commitment to helping independent artists thrive. He also serves as the Editorial & Marketing Partnerships Manager at Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music distributors, where he works closely with artists and DSPs to secure placements, grow audiences, and educate teams on best practices in digital strategy.

Whether it’s behind a drum kit or behind a laptop as an A&R manager, artist manager, designer and creative strategist, one thing is for certain: Will Blackburn has spent the last 10 years sitting down. Professionally.

In his time as an A&R Manager at EMI Music Australia, Will has led album projects for nationally beloved acts such as Meg Mac and Bella Taylor Smith, as well as the signing and development of fast-rising young stars such as Matthew Ifield.

At the same time, he has leant his skills in creative strategy, design, editing and animation to global campaigns for the likes of Troye Sivan, Lorde, Empire Of The Sun, Alison Wonderland, Paul Kelly and more.