CMU confirmed as convention programmers

It may only be November, but plans are already well underway for the 2012 edition of The Great Escape, and we are pleased to confirm that the team behind music business news service CMU are back on board to programme the convention side of the proceedings.

CMU Business Editor Chris Cooke and his colleagues took over the programming of the TGE convention this time last year, working closely with content partners such as PPL, MusicTank, the MPA, the MDA, LIVE UK, ACUMEN and, especially, PRS for Music, to create what was widely acclaimed as the best Great Escape convention yet. And the CMU guys will again be working with The Great Escape team to make the 2012 convention even better.

Says Chris: “In 2011 it was all about the content, to truly capitalise on our incredible family of content partners, to bring new speakers and less well trodden topics to the table, and to pull our programme together in a more cohesive way. Our content will be second to none in 2012 too – we already have some great speakers and panel topics up our sleeves – though my top priority this time round will be the experience, ensuring that for those three days the Brighton Dome is the most effective, productive and fun place to learn, share, network and do business. I can’t wait to see it all come together next May”.

The Great Escape co-founder Martin Elbourne added: “Our convention has moved forward year on year ever since we launched The Great Escape and last year, with CMU’s involvement, we took an even bigger step. As I travel to festivals and conventions around the world it’s clear the music industry is changing as rapidly as ever, and that big opportunities are still out there, if sometimes in hard to reach places. By looking across the industry, and bringing together all the strands, and taking a truly global view, The Great Escape continues to be the best place to navigate the changes and identify the opportunities. I look forward to being enlightened yet again by the innovators and experts we bring together next May”.