INSIGHTS BLOG: FIVE MORE CMU@TGE UPDATES, NEW SPEAKERS GALORE!
The Great Escape is now less than a month away, and in amongst all the festivities in Brighton you will once again find the four CMU Insights @ The Great Escape conferences. That's The Media Conference and The Drugs Conference on Thursday 18 May, and The Export Conference and The Royalties Conference on Friday 19 May.

The schedules for each of these conferences are now very nearly complete, and we've just added speakers to five of the sessions taking place across the programme. Here are the latest updates - in five handy steps...

1. Promoting best practice music export support. Numerous countries now have government or industry funded organisations that exist to help new artists export into new markets - most of which have an official presence at The Great Escape. Sound Diplomacy has surveyed many of these export offices to produce a Global Music Export Pledge, a best practice guide for those countries with existing music export initiatives, and those thinking of setting one up for the first time. Sound Diplomacy's Danny Keir will formally launch the report and present its findings at our Export Conference.

2. So, where's all the money? All five guest speakers have now been confirmed for the Royalties Conference session 'How The Cash Flows'. Also joining CMU's Chris Cooke will be PPL's Amanda Carmichael, who will explain how artists get paid whenever their tracks are broadcast or performed around the world; Lewis Silkin's Nigel Dewar Gibb, who will look at how sorting the formalities of rights is crucial if you want to get your royalties; and Catlotta De Ninni from Mycelia, who will introduce an exciting new project that will help music creatives understand how their songs reach the world and generate revenue. IP experts Becky Brook and Sophie Goossens were already confirmed to present.

3. Export tips galore for new acts in the UK. Don't forget the 'MEGS Guide To Exporting New Talent' in the Export Conference, four case studies providing practical tips on launching new artists in new markets courtesy of past recipients of the UK's Music Export Growth Scheme funding, which is provided by the Department For International Trade and administered by BPI. Added to this session is Phil Middleton from ATC, discussing his work with Temperance Movement, and Samantha Smith from Fairsound Management, on exporting Lonelady.

4. Where next for radio? Is the radio industry ready to compete with the ever-more-radio-like streaming services? Is it at risk of losing a generation who are more likely to tune in to YouTube and Instagram than the FM dial? Joining Folder Media's Matt Deegan and Platform B's Nats Spada for the radio session in our Media Conference are 7digital's Deputy CEO Pete Downton and BBC Radio 1 producer Kate Holder.

5. When music gets synced. Back in the Royalties Conference, the session focused on working with the TV, film, gaming and advertising sectors - talking all things sync, production music and original commissions - is looking even better. Joining Simon Pursehouse from Sentric and Stacey Mitsopulos from The Box Plus Network are the BBC's Head Of Music Licensing Nicky Bignell and PRS For Music's Director Of Broadcast & Online Andy Harrower. With another guest still to be announced!

CMU Insights @ The Great Escape takes place on 18 and 19 May at the heart of the TGE Convention programme. Get a delegates pass to get access to all of the CMU conferences, other convention sessions and parties, and priority access to the TGE festival.