21 more speakers for FastForward conference, full schedule for inaugural Sydney meet

FastForward, which is making its Sydney debut on April 12 and 13, has this morning announced 21 new speakers and its full schedule over the two days.

The latest additions to the speakers list are Beth Appleton of Warner Music Australia, Scott Ryan of Gracenote Nielsen, USA), and Nathan Thomson of Live Nation Australia.

Two new keynote conversations are also announced.

They include Felix Riebl (The Cat Empire) and Deborah Brown (Bangarra Dance Theatre); and Jennie Sager (Twitter) and Esti Zilber (Sounds Australia).

They join previously announced keynotes from David Francis (Zappar) on building interactive audiences with augmented reality, and Roger Field (Live Nation Australia) on the future of live music in Australia.

FastForward has made a reputation for itself in Amsterdam and London as bringing together forward thinking executives from all different sectors of the music and entertainment industries.  

Its successful premise is that innovative thinking takes place in all levels of a company, not just at the top.

It is also kept small, so that delegates focus on the topics being discussed, and can network intensely after.

The full list of the 21 new speakers are:

Allegra Caldwell, co-head of sync – creative & marketing, BMG

Ben Godding, marketing director, AWAL Recordings AU

Beth Appleton, general manager, Warner Music Australia

Bruce Dawson, broadcast producer, Tribal Apes

Charlotte Abroms, artist manager, Hear Hear Group

Dan Palm, licensing & creative manager, Sony/ATV

Darren Levin, content director, Bolster

Deborah Brown, senior dancer, Bangarra Dance Theatre

Esti Zilber, associate producer, Sounds Australia

Fabian Malabello, director, Boss Battle Records

Felix Riebl, The Cat Empire / Spinifex Gum

Jared Kristensen, CEO, Audience Republic

Jessica Mills, head of social – Pacific region, Weller Media Agency

Jennie Sager, Asia Pacific director, content partnerships, Twitter

Larissa Paegle, head of membership & fan engagement, Parramatta Eels NRLC

Loretta Joseph, industry chair, Australian Digital Commerce Association

Mads “Shadowfax” Brown, professional gamer, Supa-Stellar Esports

Mel Cheng, artist manager, One Louder

Nathan Thompson, head of tour marketing, Live Nation Australia

Scott Ryan, VP music, Gracenote Nielsen (USA)

Tim Kelly, former MD at Inertia Music

The schedule for FastForward: Sydney is now available online, including seven panels, five keynotes and seventeen ‘FastFifteen’ sessions, packed in over two days.

Panels include: Future of Copyright & Artist IP; Building Artist Audiences; Future of Releasing Music; Lessons from Sport; Metadata, Transparency and Music; The Art of Selling Tickets; and Future of Search & Discovery.

Further info on the 48 confirmed speakers is available here and the new line-up can also be found on the FastForward social pages via Facebook and Twitter.

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster’s Universe platform here, with delegate passes on sale at $235+GST expiring on April 2, rising to $250+GST for the last minute rate.

To help interstate travellers attend next month, FastForward: Sydney has partnered with Novotel Sydney – Darling Square, located in the heart of Darling Harbour just a 10-minute walk from the conference, to give delegates a 10% discount on the ‘Best Available Rate’, available by emailing or calling the hotel direct and quoting “FastForward”.

FastForward and Warner Music Australia have also just announced a brand-new hackathon challenge.

It is “to develop a new product that will push and explore the boundaries of artists and their fans, an experience that calls for innovation where creativity and technology collide.”

The winner will receive $5,000 cash and the opportunity to present at FastForward: Sydney.

Applications are open from now until Wednesday April 4 at canyouhackit.com.au.