THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
High-Profile Music Executives Representing ABC Television Network, New Line Cinema and Entertainment Arts Among Panelists Considering Placements
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – October 13, 2015 – WHO KNEW..., sponsored by MusicRowSearch and the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University, will present “The Pitch: An Evening With Music Supervisors” on Thursday, November 12, at 3rd & Lindsley. The event will be a first-of-its-kind for Nashville as music supervisors representing television, film, trailers, video games and advertising, will listen to live bands perform their material in hopes that a song may materialize into a placement right on the spot.
Steve Schnur (Global Head of Music at Electronic Arts) and Anastasia Brown (veteran TV producer and music supervisor) will moderate a panel of senior-level music supervisors, who will also share stories and tips about the types of music they’re seeking to place in television, film, trailers, video games and advertisements.
“Steve and Anastasia will moderate an amazingly entertaining and informative panel discussion about synch licensing and how artists should engage with music supervisors, including what to do and not to do to land a placement,” said Tom Truitt, WHO KNEW… creator and CEO of MusicRowSearch. “I’m thrilled to bring this level of talent to our audience who will experience a ‘takeover’ of the event.” Truitt went on to say, “when we launched WHO KNEW…, it was intended to be mixture of TED Talks meets speed dating meets Shark Tank. We have nailed TED Talks and speed dating. And now we’re going to deliver the Shark Tank experience to our audience.”
The panel, which includes some of the biggest names in the industry, has been carefully curated to address the five most important verticals for music synchronization or “synch” rights:
Dawn Soler - Senior Vice President of Music at ABC: Over the course of her career, Soler has worked with dozens of major movie and television projects—from TV shows such as ABC’s Nashville, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder to classic films including Sweet Home Alabama, Notting Hill, Being John Malkovich and The Big Lebowski. She is one of the most highly regarded music supervisors working in television today.
Cybele Pettus - Senior Music Supervisor at Electronic Arts (EA): With credits that include powerhouse video game franchises such as Madden NFL Football, The Sims, FIFA and Need for Speed, Pettus has overseen in-game music for some of the gaming world’s biggest titles. Prior to joining EA, she worked in A&R with Warner/Reprise Records.
Aaron Mercer - Partner at Wool & Tusk: Mercer is a partner at Nashville-based Wool & Tusk where he oversees music supervision and artist partnerships for advertising, brand marketing and consumer products. During his career, he has worked with major advertising campaigns (including some that have debuted during the Super Bowl) for brands such as BMW, OREO and Chobani Yogurt.
Erin Scully - Executive Vice President of Music at New Line Cinema: As a senior executive at New Line Cinema, Scully oversees music for all films developed and produced by Warner Brothers Entertainment. With countless credits to her name, she has worked on film projects including The Hobbit Trilogy, Sex and the City, Rock of Ages and The Notebook, to name a few.
Chris Restivo - Music Supervisor at Toy Box Entertainment: As the Music Supervisor with Toy Box Entertainment, Restivo helps the Los Angeles-based company select music for projects ranging from trailers and TV spots, to behind-the-scenes featurettes and co-branded ads. At Toy Box, he has overseen music supervision for dozens of projects for a wide array of industries.
Anastasia Brown, moderator: Recently, Reese Witherspoon tapped Brown to curate music for “SOUTHERN SOUNDCHECK,” a monthly playlist for Witherspoon’s online Southern specialty store, Draper James. Brown is a music supervisor and entertainment executive whose next project, “I Saw the Light,” a biopic about country singer Hank Williams, will be in theatresNovember 27.
Steve Schnur, moderator: Currently serving as the worldwide executive for music at videogame giant Electronic Arts (EA), Schnur spent years working with some of the music industry’s biggest labels before pivoting into the world of video games. He is a recognized thought leader on shifting trends in the music industry.
Following the panel, soulful singer/songwriter Gabe Dixon, along with some special guests, will perform a full set during the WHO KNEW… After Party.
Ticket prices are $10 before November 1, $15 after November 1 and $20 at the door.
WHO KNEW... is presented MusicRowSearch and MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment, with support from Dell Nashville, The Arnett Group, Stites & Harbison, Nashville Scene, Do615, Jive! Printing, Signs First, Real Water and Kaleidoscope Media.
NOTE: As defined by ASCAP, synchronization or "synch" right involves the use of a recording of musical work in audio-visual form: As part of a motion picture, television program, commercial announcement, music video or other videotape, for example. Synchronization rights are licensed by the music publisher to the producer of the movie or program.