Maria Egan-Cohen, Columbia Records
Daniel Werner, Epic Records
Elliott Mazer, Left Turn Music
Allan Kovac
Kelli Richards, The All Access Group (moderator)
Richards: Why go with a major?
Egan-Cohen: Resources. She focuses on bands that have established a track record and a following, and are looking to get to that next level via the machinery that a major can offer.
Final thoughts: I’m leaving this panel. The discussion has turned to promotions and 360-deals, which is disappointing, frustrating, even. I’m interested in hearing how they’re adapting A&R for the digital age. Instead, there’s a lot of talk about promotions and building artists into brands. Does this signal a shift in the role of A&R? Is that the function adapting to digital? From an audience standpoint at the conference, it feels like a bit of a bait-and-switch.
Going to catch the end of the digital rights & clearances panel. Even a legal session is more interesting than this.
