Urban Network Maintaining a Legacy of Industry Conferences

We all agree the music industry is in a state of transition and uncertainty, and many music conferences are no more; yet the Urban Network Entertainment-Marketing Summits continue to thrive.

This year's dates are March 26-30, 2008, to be held at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach, Calif.--which also happens to be the 20th Anniversary of Urban Network Magazine.

The Urban Network is committed to building a brand and maintaining its reputation for coordinating and producing high-quality, organized and meaningful conferences.

Urban Network Celebrates a Milestone 20 Years

So, what can you expect from this year's Summit? Even more compelling panel discussions, a platform for artists and labels to showcase their music, a 20th anniversary gala celebration, a salute to select high profile dignitaries, more entertainment-technology product exhibits, and even greater exposure and opportunities for our corporate sponsors.

Who Attends the Urban Network Summit?

In the early days of the Summit, the radio/broadcast community was the primary focus of these events. But with the changing face of radio and the industry as a whole, the Summit has expanded to attract a wide array of entertainment industry professionals—and our panels and seminar themes reflect it.

Regular attendees of the Urban Network include:

• Major Music Groups & Distributors: Warner Music Group/WEA, SonyBMG, Universal Music Group, and EMI Music Marketing have consistently hosted events to showcase much of their new and established talent. In just the last three years, Urban Network attendees have been privy to performances or appearances by Amerie, Angie Stone, Mike Jones, Babyface, Bobby Valentino, IceCube, Mims, Devin the Dude, Omarion, and dozens more. Other artists to grace the Urban Network Summit over the years include Mary J. Blige, Will Smith, Destiny’s Child, Kirk Franklin, Wyclef, Patti LaBelle, Tyrese, Alicia Keys, Lionel Richie, Brian McKnight, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott and more.
• Music Retailers:  Independent stores from around the nation:  Birdels, George’s Music Room, The VIP chain, Hot Waxx, The Music Experience along with major chains such as Transworld-Wherehouse, Virgin Mega Store, Best Buy, Handleman, and Eurpac (major military retail outlet)
• Radio Groups: With representatives from Cumulus, Clear Channel and Radio One, representing more than 200 urban radio stations
• Digital Radio Companies: Live365, Music Choice, XM, Launch, Sirius Satellite
• The Gospel Music Community: The first full-day of the Summit has traditionally highlighted recording artists, label representatives, radio stations and music retailers from the Gospel Music Community. There have been a series of seminars, poolside receptions and showcases where gospel artists are featured. Among our regular supporters are Verity Records, EMI Gospel, Malaco, Fontana/Universal and others.
• Independent Record Labels & Entrepreneurs: Perhaps at the heart of Urban Network attendees, this includes a large number of indie labels/representatives, artists and consultants looking for networking opportunities with retailers, radio stations, online aggregators, major labels (for up-streaming opportunities), distributors, and showcasing/performances. The Independent Music Festival is prime time for artists and labels to showcase their wares.
• Independent Distributors: Representatives from RED, Fontana, KOCH, RND, Super D, Navarre
• Mixshow DJs: These guys are considered ground zero for any record label promoting a record to the streets
• Music Publishers: Such as EMI, Warner Chappell, Universal and independents like Chrysalis, Rondor, Windswept and Nottinghill
• Performance Rights and Trade Groups are among our most consistent sponsors: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SoundExchange, the Society of Singers, the Recording Academy (producers of the Grammys)
• A&R Executives: Independent labels and artists looking for a recording deal or to upstream their releases attend Urban Network to network with some of the most influential artist and repertoire execs in the industry.
• Entertainment Attorneys: Urban Network has a long-time alliance with the Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association, as many of its members attend our Summit
• Publicists & Journalists: Writers and reporters from print, radio, TV and internet media
• Marketing and Brand Managers: Whether from the worlds of NASCAR, the Ava Duvernay Agency, Carol H. Williams Agency, Burrell Communications, and more!
• Managers & Consultants: Leading artist and label representatives attend the Summit offering their areas of expertise to our attendees
• New Media & e-Commerce Professionals: Over the last four Summits, Urban Network has attracted an increasingly growing list of personnel from the worlds of mobile wireless, Ringtones, and online music stores. Panelists and/or sponsors have included: Dizzler, Motorola, Boost Mobile, Napster, SoundExchange, Yahoo, MySpace, Live365, Media Guide, Xxtreme Measures, Urban World Wireless, Real HipHop.com, BurnLounge, Zune,  iTunes, and  aggregators such as Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA) and Big Fish Media
• Songwriter-Producers: Some of the creators of the top-selling hits have graced our panels from Rodney Jerkins, The Underdogs, J-Que, Shawn Garrett, Kashif, the Avila Brothers, Warryn Campbell, Mike City, Harold Lilly, and Dre & Vidal
• Film & DVD Distribution: Participants and sponsors have included UrbanWorks, Code Black, Paramount, Sony, New Line Cinema, Overbrook Entertainment