Manitoba Music Launches EMBARK: Export Accelerator Program

In September 2020, Manitoba Music launched the ambitious, multi-month EMBARK: Export Accelerator Program to create a new opportunity to support the business development work of export-ready artists and music industry professionals. Responding to the critical need to provide a different kind of market development activity during the pandemic, EMBARK welcomed over a dozen participants together for mentorship, market training, cultural support, and online networking opportunities.

With physical limitations on travel and gathering for tours, showcases, and conferences, it’s been valuable for artists and companies to find new ways to build their networks, make business relationships, and roll out international marketing plans in a meaningful way.

Running across Manitoba Music's market development, Indigenous Music West, and Francophone Music Program, EMBARK included mentor sessions as well as filming digital showcase performances for export showcase events.

EMBARK participants each focused on on two markets each and had over 150 one-on-one meetings consultants and meetings.

Participants 

Andrea Davis, Mighty Cypress (Begonia, Living Hour)
Brady Allard, Warming
Brandi Vezina
Brandon Baker, Electric Religious
Brendan Kinley, Super Duty Tough Work
Celia Palli
Dylan MacDonald, Field Guide
Ed Durocher, Apollo Suns
Janelle Johnson, Johnson Talent Management (Kendra Kay)
Jeremy Smith, JayWood
Keri Latimer, Leaf Rapids
Laurie Brown, Porch Swing Entertainment (Don Amero)
Micah Erenberg
Miesha Louie, Miesha & The Spanks
Paul Bergman
Stefanie Johnson, Mise en Scene
Trevor Graumann, Glassreel
Tyler Del Pino 

Market Consultants

Adele Ho, States of Sound (USA, Los Angeles)
Gilles Godard, Anthem Entertainment (USA, Nashville)
Danny Keir and Sam Taylor, ENKI (UK)
Christian Holl Buhl and Janika Reuter, FACTORY 92 (Germany)
Stephen Green, SGC Media (Australia)
Chris O’Hearn, Thrillhill Music (Australia)

Mentors/Delegates:

Amy Eligh, Arts & Crafts, Toronto
Jim Bryson, Producer + Songwriter + Artist, Ottawa
Jon Bartlett, Kelp Management, Ottawa
Jeff Olsen, Park the Van, USA
Daniel Higbee, Dualtone Music Group, USA
Lynn Grossman, Secret Road, USA
Mike Jansen, Greater Goods Co., USA
Eddie Sikawze, Abstract Management +  Secretly Group, USA
Steve Nice, Nice Management & Consulting, USA
Brian West aka Sweetwesty, Producer, Songwriter + Talent, USA
Yannick "Thurz" Koffi, Artist + Songwriter, USA
Chris Lakey, Kobalt, USA
AJ Tobey, Rough Trade Publishing and Bank Robber Music, USA
Sam Carlin, Beggars Group, USA
Stephen Linn, Amplify Entertainment    , USA
Drew Sherrod, Anthem Entertainment, USA
John Ozier, Reservoir Music Publishing, USA
Chloe Goodyear, Woodford Folk Festival, Australia
Philip Mortlock, Origin Music, Australia
Rob Scott, Source Music, Australia
Tyler McLoughlan, The Sound Pound, Australia
Rich Moffat, Way Over There, Australia
Hayden Davies, Pilerats, Australia
Tristan Berry, Viscera Arts, Australia
Brodie Popple, New World Artists, Australia
Tom Inglis, HSF Artist Services, Australia
Karen Waters, Red Rebel Music, Australia
Phillip Mortlock, Origin Music, Australia
Karen-lee Goody, Entertainment Consulting, Australia
Dan Biddle, TCO Artists, Australia
Mark Eatock, MGM, Australia
Sebastian Król, Backseat, Germany/EU
Yan Mangels, FKP Scorpio, Germany/EU
Manuel Schottmueller, Emerged Agency, Germany/EU
Stine Mühle, Clouds Hill, Germany/EU
Uta Bretsch, Uta Bretsch Communications, Germany/EU
Anja Hövelmann, Laviola, Germany/EU
Anton Teichmann, Mansions & Millions, Germany/EU
Achim Launert, Community Promotion, Germany/EU
Daniela Siemon, Der Promoter, Germany/EU
Änne Wetzel, Bite It Promotion, Germany/EU
Quirin Fischer, Popup Records, Germany/EU
Thomas Harsman, Karsten Jahnke, Germany/EU
Mortiz Rosin, Handshake Booking, Germany/EU
Gregor Samsa, Sounds of Subterrania, Germany/EU
Daniel “Kemper” Kempf,  Selective Artists, Germany/EU
Tobi Zumak, Treppenhaus Records, Germany/EU
Wido von Wienskowski, RBK Fusion, Germany/EU
Patrick Music Wise, Germany/EU
Michael Bisping, A.S.S. Concerts, Germany/EU
Charlie Ashcroft, BT/Amazing Radio, UK
Tim Palmer, Bird on the Wire Events,    UK
Rob McGee, FMLY Agency, UK
Aidan Grant, Difference Sauce, UK
Skully (David Sullivan-Kaplan), Booking Agent, UK
Sinead Mills, Director, UK
Bradley Kulisic, Singing Light Music, UK
James Barker, Mystic Sons, UK
Stevie Smith, Americana UK,    UK
Chris Sheehan, Karousel Music, UK
Ethan Proctor, Midnight Mango, UK
Anika Mottershaw, Bella Union, UK
Feedy Frizzi, MBF Music, UK