AAM extends Manager Mentor Program to BigSound

This year’s Association of Artist Managers' (AAM)’s Manager Mentor Program expands to include sessions at BigSound in Brisbane.

AAM, which has 180 members, has been running its mentoring program since 2013, with the help of APRA AMCOS. It is set up for mid-level artist managers to get one-to-one guidance with an established high-profile artist manager for between six to 12 months.

Six mentorships are offered this year. Last year, there were 30 applications.

The team up with BigSound includes an all-inclusive trip with flights, accommodation and a conference pass to the Brisbane event. There’ll be an exclusive round table for the mentors and mentored.

“The feedback from those who were in the program in the past was they wanted the experience of sharing and discussing the similar issues they faced with other mentees,” AAM Executive Director Yvette Myhill told The Music Network.

Part of the plan is that by the time of BigSound in mid-September, the mentor would have a strong overview of where the younger manager’s career is heading. He or she will facilitate introductions to any of the many hundreds of Australian and global artist managers, booking agents, festival promoters, media, marketers and record label and publishing executives who attend the biggest conference in Australia.

It is still to be decided which of the major managers will serve as mentors. Those in the past have included Gregg Donovan (Grinspoon, Josh Pyke, Airbourne, Boy & Bear, Montaigne), Danny Rogers (Gotye, The Temper Trap, Chvrches, Laneway Festival) and Cathy Oates (Lisa Mitchell, MT WARNING).

David Hume, whose Sydney-based Twenty76 Management looks after Little May, The Upskirts and Paul Conrad, regards being mentored last year as a game-changer.

"The timing of the AAM's mentorship program and the opportunity to be linked with Danny Rogers, and the Lunatic team was extremely beneficial and insightful in building an international strategy for Little May and other artists I work with,” he said.

“Danny's experience is second to none, given what he has achieved with Gotye, The Temper Trap and Chvches on an international level, so I was very lucky to have his time in helping steer the ship in the right direction.”

Applications close May 31 at http://www.aam.org.au. Applicants need to be AAM members, but can join up at the time of applying if they are not yet members.