This week the 2022 Co-Pilot Program - delivered in partnership with Spotify and AAM took place in Sydney. Our Aotearoa participants Diaz Grimm and Gina Linnell, alongside MMF exec committee member Joost Langeveld attended, and described it as ‘a huge opportunity, and massive milestone’
From Joost -
“What an absolute honour to represent the MMF Aotearoa and accompany the first ever New Zealand participants in the Co-Pilot22 program - Gina Linnell and Diaz Grimm. Co-Pilot is essentially a mentorship program on steroids - where 'emerging' manager mentees are paired with established manager mentors - all with the incredible support from AAM, Spotify and the MMF! It’s a huge opportunity for them – and a massive milestone moment for the wider Aotearoa music community!!
Ngā mihi to the AAM team. Kate Adams and Maggie Collins' focussed planning, management and execution of the program/event was exemplary.
Massive thanks to Jonathan Harrison and the Spotify staff for opening up the Spotify Sydney office and hosting the formal introduction day event - whilst also organising and facilitating the amazing lineup of guests speakers: Dr Alethea Beetson (BLAKSOUND, Blak Social, Digi Youth Arts), Leanne DeSouza (Nightlife Music), Sydney Lopes (Spotify, Head of Hip Hop & R&B partnerships).
Much respect and gratitude to all the mentors for the selfless sharing of precious time, experience, and industry knowledge. Intergenerational knowledge transfer in practice, yes!
Artist management is a crazy ride and often comes without predefined job descriptions and operates in relative isolation, without much external guidance !
This is what makes the co-pilot program such an amazing opportunity. A chance to learn from the best, to glean context and concepts from industry professionals and build networks that will aid careers moving forward.
Co-Pilot is a super exciting initiative which will undoubtedly help shape collective ‘music industry’ futures in(between) Australia, Aotearoa and beyond. Long may it last.”
