CANNES, France (VIP NEWS) — Started yesterday, January 24th MIDEM will once again attract a vast number of international music industry executives to Cannes, France.
The 44th edition of the conference – one of the biggest of its kind in the world – will once again see a strong representation from the Finnish music industry, with a total of 52 delegates from 23 different companies looking to find new business in Cannes, as well as nurture existing relationships.
Despite the changes which the global music industry is currently undergoing, MIDEM still remains a major marketplace for the Finnish music industry. With about 8,000 attendees from over 80 countries (figures from 2009), all the major players are represented at the conference.
“It is the long tradition of MIDEM that draws the music industry to Cannes year after year. You know everyone will be there”, states Wemppa Koivumäki, the Director of EMI Finland and the Chairman of Board at Music Export Finland. “The combination of MidemNet and the conference itself sets a standard, which other similar events find difficult to meet”, he continues.
This year, Music Export Finland – the organization coordinating the Finnish MIDEM participation – has set their eyes on the Asian music market especially. For years, in terms of export income, Japan has been among the most significant territories for Finnish music. According to research commissioned by Music Export Finland, it's still a steadily growing market. Further, Finland’s participation in the upcoming World Expo in Shanghai will result in major investments from both the public and the private sector in the Chinese market. In connection to the World Expo, several Finnish artists already toured China and the surrounding countries in 2009 and the number of tours will grow significantly in 2010, with over 20 tours from various artists in place already.
At MIDEM, Music Export Finland will be organizing various networking events, including the return of the Black Monday cocktail party. All MIDEM delegates are welcome to meet with Finnish music industry executives and enjoy a moment of relaxation, as well as a variety of extraordinary Finnish drinks at the Finnish Pavilion.
The Black Monday party will take place at the Music Export Finland Pavilion (23.01 / 25.02) on Monday, January 25th at 5:30pm.
