CIC 2008 Keynote Speaker

Agents 3.0

Moderator: Allen Scott, Another Planet Entertainment
Justin Hirschman, Artist Group International
Brian Manning, CAA
Duffy McSwiggin, Paradigm
Craig Newman, APA
Tom Windish, Windish Agency

Tom Windish, Justin Hirschman, Duffy McSwiggin, Craig Newman, Brian Manning and Allen Scott

APA's Craig Newman opened the panel by telling the audience its title wasn't accurate.

"If you saw the full name of this panel, it's actually "Agents 3.0: Does Anybody Know Who Frank Barsalona Is Anymore?" Newman said.

"I just want everyone to know that yes, indeed, we all know who Frank Barsalona is, even though we are the younger generation of agents."

Tom Windish of the Windish Agency said he's well acquainted with the legendary agent.

"Frank Barsalona offered me a job after trying to poach one of my clients about 15 years ago," he said.

Another Planet Entertainment's Allen Scott moderated the panel.

It discussed how the industry and agenting styles have changed compared to previous generations, as well as the role sponsorships play in touring.

Duffy McSwiggin

Paradigm's Duffy McSwiggin said one difference between today's and yesterday's agents is that the new generation of agents has found a more diplomatic way of handling their jobs.

"The old school may have had more aggressive tactics, where people would tee each other up," he said. "Now we have different ways of dealing with people, earning respect and doing the right thing for our artists in general."

Scott switched gears and asked the panel how large a role sponsorships play when it comes to tours.

Windish said his clients no longer view sponsorships as bad.

"I come from an indie background where that used to be a very negative thing. Now a lot of my clients are coming to me and asking me to get them sponsorships," he explained. "It adds a lot of money and often a lot of marketing dollars.

"I have Justice doing a tour for MySpace presented by Discover Card. Ten years ago, that was unheard of for artists like Justice on my roster. The amount of extra marketing that they're getting is substantial."

Newman added that it's no longer a secret that those opportunities exist for artists.

"Artists coming up in the ranks know about it because they see their big-brother bands going out to play 1,500- to 2,000-seaters with a big wrap on their bus, scrims and everything else," Newman said. "With all these marketing opportunities, these young bands almost demand it.

"We have to be alert as agents to the fact that this exists in the hearts and minds of these up-and-coming bands."

Justin Hirschman of Artist Group International said it's important that sponsors be more of a market-ing partner with the artist and not just a source of tour support.

Tom Hoppa of TKO asked the panel if sponsorship dollars take the place of what record labels used to do for artists. Hirschman said it depends on a few things. "It depends on the level of the band and what the sponsorship deal is," he said. "I think that's why you see it as more prevalent these days than 10 years ago. The money's necessary."

Scott asked the panel if A&R has become a bigger part of their job now than when record labels were involved.

The panelists agreed technology has created a more level playing field in that they can search for artists and check out music on their own.

CAA's Brian Manning added that although there are labels that still function, there are very few "free looks" now and agents do invest a lot of time and resources in artist development than in the past.

Tom Windish

Scott turned to Windish and asked if he thinks the growing number of festivals are still a great outlet since Windish has "about 40 bands at Coachella."

"Festivals are great! Coachella has been a great launching-off point for a lot of our clients. Same thing with South By Southwest," Windish said. "We've had artists that have played SXSW eight times in three days and the amount of attention they get from all over the world is amazing."

The discussion turned to nation-al promoters such as Live Nation making offers for tours and how much it helps to increase the chance to sell tickets in new markets.

Manning summed it up by saying that although it's a great option for bands to get into new markets, there's a million and one things for agents to keep track of so it still boils down to doing what's best for the individual acts.

The panel wrapped with discussion on the intricacies of routing for clubs, how much the Internet has improved the way they can do business and the pros and cons of working with local and national promoters.

Last updated March 26, 2008 Click to go back to Schedule Page


	Agents 3.0 Moderator: Allen Scott, Another Planet Entertainment Justin Hirschman, Artist Group International Brian Manning, CAA Duffy McSwiggin, Paradigm Craig Newman, APA Tom Windish, Windish Agency Tom Windish, Justin Hirschman, Duffy McSwiggin, Craig Newman, Brian Manning and Allen Scott APA's Craig Newman opened the panel by telling the audience its title wasn't accurate. "If you saw the full name of this panel, it's actually "Agents 3.0: Does Anybody Know Who Frank Barsalona Is Anymore?" Newman said. "I just want everyone to know that yes, indeed, we all know who Frank Barsalona is, even though we are the younger generation of agents." Tom Windish of the Windish Agency said he's well acquainted with the legendary agent. "Frank Barsalona offered me a job after trying to poach one of my clients about 15 years ago," he said. Another Planet Entertainment's Allen Scott moderated the panel. It discussed how the industry and agenting styles have changed compared to previous generations, as well as the role sponsorships play in touring. Duffy McSwiggin Paradigm's Duffy McSwiggin said one difference between today's and yesterday's agents is that the new generation of agents has found a more diplomatic way of handling their jobs. "The old school may have had more aggressive tactics, where people would tee each other up," he said. "Now we have different ways of dealing with people, earning respect and doing the right thing for our artists in general." Scott switched gears and asked the panel how large a role sponsorships play when it comes to tours. Windish said his clients no longer view sponsorships as bad. "I come from an indie background where that used to be a very negative thing. Now a lot of my clients are coming to me and asking me to get them sponsorships," he explained. "It adds a lot of money and often a lot of marketing dollars. "I have Justice doing a tour for MySpace presented by Discover Card. Ten years ago, that was unheard of for artists like Justice on my roster. The amount of extra marketing that they're getting is substantial." Newman added that it's no longer a secret that those opportunities exist for artists. "Artists coming up in the ranks know about it because they see their big-brother bands going out to play 1,500- to 2,000-seaters with a big wrap on their bus, scrims and everything else," Newman said. "With all these marketing opportunities, these young bands almost demand it. "We have to be alert as agents to the fact that this exists in the hearts and minds of these up-and-coming bands." Justin Hirschman of Artist Group International said it's important that sponsors be more of a market-ing partner with the artist and not just a source of tour support. Tom Hoppa of TKO asked the panel if sponsorship dollars take the place of what record labels used to do for artists. Hirschman said it depends on a few things. "It depends on the level of the band and what the sponsorship deal is," he said. "I think that's why you see it as more prevalent these days than 10 years ago. The money's necessary." Scott asked the panel if A&R has become a bigger part of their job now than when record labels were involved. The panelists agreed technology has created a more level playing field in that they can search for artists and check out music on their own. CAA's Brian Manning added that although there are labels that still function, there are very few "free looks" now and agents do invest a lot of time and resources in artist development than in the past. Tom Windish Scott turned to Windish and asked if he thinks the growing number of festivals are still a great outlet since Windish has "about 40 bands at Coachella." "Festivals are great! Coachella has been a great launching-off point for a lot of our clients. Same thing with South By Southwest," Windish said. "We've had artists that have played SXSW eight times in three days and the amount of attention they get from all over the world is amazing." The discussion turned to nation-al promoters such as Live Nation making offers for tours and how much it helps to increase the chance to sell tickets in new markets. Manning summed it up by saying that although it's a great option for bands to get into new markets, there's a million and one things for agents to keep track of so it still boils down to doing what's best for the individual acts. The panel wrapped with discussion on the intricacies of routing for clubs, how much the Internet has improved the way they can do business and the pros and cons of working with local and national promoters. Last updated March 26, 2008 Click to go back to Schedule Page