Soapbox Sessions II

Three 15-minute presentations by innovators, thought leaders, and inspiring individuals across the business.

14:00–14:15
Going the Extra Mile: A Pitbull saga
Marc Saunders, The O2

Behind every unforgettable concert is an outstanding pitch. This time last year, North Greenwich was abuzz with fans rocking bald caps, tuxedos, and aviators on their way to see the one and only, Pitbull. What they didn’t know was the lengths The O2’s head of programming went to secure Mr Worldwide for three nights. In this session, Marc Saunders will discuss the importance of knowing your client, the art of the creative pitch, using data to inform special moments, and how he found himself on a speedboat with Pitbull.

14:15–14:30
The South Asian Soundcheck: A roadmap the industry can’t ignore
Vivek Gudi, Lila

South Asian talent is reshaping music in the UK, and a first-of-its-kind study has laid out exactly how. Commissioned by Lila, a non-profit championing South Asian artists and professionals, the South Asian Soundcheck is the UK’s first major study into South Asian experiences across the music industry. The findings: communities transcending genres, huge commercial potential, and both systemic and individual barriers. Lila’s development and operations manager Vivek Gudi unpacks the data, stories, and a roadmap the industry can no longer ignore.

14:30–14:45
From (Grass)roots to Bloom:
How PRS Foundation are bolstering next-gen promoters
Ben Price, PRS Foundation (UK)

Having launched the Early Career Promoter Fund in 2024, PRS Foundation is on a mission to bolster the UK’s grassroots music ecosystems. In this session, Ben Price will discuss how the charity is supporting the next generation of promoters through funding, wraparound support and through a new toolkit aiming to support people putting on their first events. Plus, glean advice from experienced promoter who have contribute to the toolkit. How did they make it? What are their top tips? What would they do differently? All will be revealed in this session.