Finding the right distribution partner

Virgin Music Group General Manager, North America

Cindy James is an accomplished music industry leader who has lived and worked in Sydney, London, New York, and Los Angeles, garnering global knowledge, perspective, and insight into the evolving recorded music landscape.

She has spent the past fifteen+ years navigating music companies worldwide through the industry's rapid transformation from Physical and Downloads to Streaming, Playlisting, Audience Data, Voice Technology, and Short-form Video disruption.

Cindy is the General Manager of Virgin Music Group, Universal Music Group’s Independent artists and label division. She focuses on all aspects of the company’s growth, innovation, operations and strategy with a focus on building careers for artists, growing labels, driving hits and breaking artists.

Symphonic VP A&R and Business Development

It is Oz McGuire’s professional background as a music artist that informs every decision he makes as an executive. “I own my own masters and believe every artist should own theirs. Every artist I’ve ever signed has maintained their rights.” That core value has reaped great results as labels, artists, and managers know they can trust McGuire with their work. “My mission today is the same as when I was a club DJ: turn people on to new music that I think they will enjoy.” McGuire started his career in college radio and nightclubs before producing albums for seminal indie labels such as ESL Music and Soul Clap Records. Throughout his career, he has helped indie artists and heritage acts navigate the evolving world of digital streaming. At Ingrooves, the roster of labels he advised included luminaries such as Stones Throw, Alpha Pup, and Foreign Family Collective. As an A&R, he’s signed a diverse roster, including Kelly Rowland, MF DOOM, and TOKiMONSTA. He also specializes in digital marketing, working on gold records by Big Gigantic, Stick Figure, Freddie Gibbs, and Madlib.

Too Lost Head of Label Services

Courtney Young has extensive work experience in the music industry. In 2022, they joined Too Lost as the Head of Label Services, where they tripled streaming income and secured numerous placements for Spotify Premium Homepage Takeovers. From 2020 to 2022, Courtney worked at Create Music Group as a Product Manager and Marketing Coordinator, overseeing campaigns for both emerging and established artists. Prior to that, they were the Social Media Manager at Gareth Emery from 2018 to 2020, where they executed tour and release rollout campaigns and managed various platforms. Courtney also worked as a Freelance Production Assistant at Phillymack, Boy In The Castle, and London Alley, where they assisted with shoot coordination and worked with artists and brands. Additionally, they were a Personal Assistant to the President at SEMINAL MUSIC LTD in 2016 and an Assistant Marketing Manager at Dim Mak in 2015.

AudioSalad Head of Business Development

Patrick Ferrell is the Head of Business Development at AudioSalad, an industry leading content management, analytics, delivery, and digital distribution platform. With offices in NYC, London, and LA, AudioSalad works with a wide range of labels, distributors, and rights-holders such as Secretly Group, Redeye, Sparta (300 Entertainment), Mad Decent, Stones Throw, Foundation Media, and many others to provide best-in-class solutions to power their digital operations. Prior to joining AudioSalad in 2019, Patrick served as the Head of Label Relations at A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music), a trade organization that is committed to protecting the value of independent musical contributions and influence on a policy level. Over the course of his 15 year career working in the music industry, Patrick has also held roles in the Radio Promotions and A&R departments at Capitol Records, as an A&R at Spirit Music Group, and as an artist manager.

Stem Director of Artist and Label Strategy

As current Director of Artist & Label Strategy, Kylie helps oversee Stem's artist marketing and label services team. With nearly half a decade there, she’s helped launch the company's Strategy function and has worked across a number of artist campaigns including LANY, Saba, Mk.Gee, Beach House, Injury Reserve and more. Her recent work with multi-platinum artist, Brent Faiyaz, is her proudest achievement yet with his latest album, “WASTELAND” debuting at #1 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart with seven tracks appearing on The Billboard Top 100. She believes in empowering the next generation of independent artists though music education, access to data and investment resources.