Artist For Action & Sandy Hook Promise present:
Take Action x SXSW
March 11, 2025 11:30am - 2:00am @ Empire Control Room & Garage
Join us for an interactive, informative and impactful series of panels and showcases curated by Artist For Action & Sandy Hook Promise in partnership with Bandsintown, Music Managers Forum-US and SXSW. RSVP* now to hear from industry leaders in music and social impact featuring legendary and breakthrough talent! If you'd like to support Sandy Hook Promise in their efforts to prevent gun violence and keep our communities safe, please consider making a donation here.
SCHEDULE
Empire Control Room & Garage 606 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
TUESDAY MARCH 11TH
Artist For Action & Sandy Hook Promise present Take Action x SXSW
11:30am - Brunch
12:00pm - 6:00pm - Music & Social Impact Summit
6:00pm - 7:00pm - Happy Hour
7:00pm - 2:00am - Music Showcases feat. Passion Pit, Ginuwine & more
12:10pm - Out of the Box: Redefining Artist and Brand Campaigns
In today’s competitive music landscape, it’s not enough to follow the trends, you need to set them. This panel dives into how artists and brands can break free from conventional marketing strategies to create campaigns that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact. Explore how executives and artists have turned bold ideas into unforgettable campaigns, blending creativity, authenticity and strategic vision. From unique brand partnerships to disruptive activations, panelists will share how they’ve pushed boundaries to craft moments that go viral, build fan loyalty and drive measurable success.
Jeremy Gruber: Friends At Work, Head of Artist Marketing & Digital Strategy
Whitt Bell: HeadCount, Director of Partnerships & Events
Andrew Preisig: Magus Entertainment, Artist Manager
Erica Ramon: Eminor, Inc., Founder & CEO
1:00pm - Artist For Action: The Social Power of Music
Music has always been a catalyst for connection, healing and change. Mark Barden (musician, advocate, and Co-Founder of Sandy Hook Promise and Artist For Action) leads a dynamic conversation on how music transcends entertainment to inspire action, foster empathy, and drive social movements. Hear personal stories about the transformative power of music, strategies for leveraging music as a tool for advocacy and the responsibility of the creative community in addressing today’s most pressing issues.
Mark Barden: Sandy Hook Promise, Co-Founder / Co-CEO
Steve Ross: Artists & Athletes, Founder
Emily White: iVoted Concerts, Founder
Yeji Cha-Beach: HeadCount, Senior Director of Artist Relations
1:50pm - The Manager's Playbook: Adapting for Success in 2025
The role of the artist manager has evolved far beyond gatekeeping opportunities. Today’s manager is a strategic leader, negotiator, and creative partner who walks a tightrope balancing a mix of digital responsibilities, revenue management, therapist duties and the sheparding of an artist’s creative vision. As the music industry continues to transform, the manager's role in adapting to new trends, technologies and business models has become more vital than ever. This panel will dive into the multifaceted responsibilities of the modern artist manager, from navigating streaming royalties and social media strategies to managing touring logistics and brand partnerships. Experts will share insights on how to build a sustainable career for artists while keeping pace with the rapid changes of the industry.
Sharon Tapper: Music Managers Forum - US, Executive Director
Reid Martin: MidCitizen Entertainment, Artist Manager
Jack Gallagher: Open Management, Founder, CEO
Lewis Allen: Artist Manager
2:40pm - Live and Amplified: Unlocking the Power of Live Fan Engagement
Learn how to supercharge fan engagement at every stage of the live event journey with first party data. This session will reveal proven strategies for building a loyal fanbase through live shows, utilizing data and targeted marketing to boost ticket sales, elevate the concert experience and ensure fans return for more. Discover how to harness the power of digital platforms to drive event promotion and connect with fans in innovative ways, both before and during shows. From personalizing fan interactions at the venue to leveraging social media and live event data, this panel will cover actionable tactics to create moments that resonate far beyond the final encore. Walk away with the tools to amplify artist-fan connections, maximize fan loyalty and grow an engaged community that thrives around each beat.
Fabrice Sergent: Bandsintown, Co-Founder / Managing Partner
Aaron Bare: Etix & Rockhouse Partners, Chief Marketing Officer
Warner Bailey: Sunset Nine / Assistants vs Agents, Founder
Joe Pileggi: Crowd Surf, Director Digital Marketing
3:30pm - Know Your Worth: Music Rights, Royalties & Revenues
For artists understanding your rights is essential. From streaming royalties to licensing payouts, knowing where your money comes from and how to collect it can make all the difference in an artist’s career. Let's break down the complexities of music rights, royalty collection and fair compensation. Learn how to track and claim what you’re owed and ensure you’re maximizing every revenue stream available. Whether you're an artist, songwriter, or manager, you will leave empowered to take control of your earnings and protect your work.
Linda Bloss-Baum: SONA, Government Affairs Lead
Jamie Dominguez: The MLC, National Director, Industry Relations
Jessica Roffe: SoundExchange, Associate Director of Writer/Industry Relations
José Maldonado: Marmoset, Creative Partnerships Director / DEI
4:20pm - Sound Mind: Mental Health, Isolation, and Connection in Music
A crucial discussion on mental health challenges, isolation and building healthier connections for musicians. The goal is to raise awareness, inspire change and provide strategies to support musicians' mental well-being. This conversation aims to promote industry-wide efforts to improve mental health in music and create a more supportive environment for young creators.
Nicole Hockley: Sandy Hook Promise, Co-Founder, Co-CEO
Michael Angelakos: Passion Pit, Artist / Mental Health Activist
Brandee Smith, LPC-S, LCDC: The SIMS Foundation, Director of Clinical Services
Candress Suber, LPC: MusiCares, Client Manager, Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services
Andrew MacPherson: Coalition of Social Isolation and Loneliness / Healthsperien, Partner
5:10pm - The Artist Accelerator: Tools for Growth and Success
Deep dive into actionable strategies for artists, managers, labels and agents looking to expand their reach, connect with fans and grow sustainably in a digital first world. Attendees will walk away with insights on maximizing digital platforms, securing partnerships, optimizing marketing strategies and tackling music distribution and monetization.
Brian Miller: Tunecore, CRO
Dorian Perron: Groover, Co-Founder
Eric Palumbo: Beatbread, Head of Partner Activation & Growth Marketing
Dan Melnick: Sonicbids / Advance, CEO
6:00pm - 7:00pm - Happy Hour
7:00pm - Artist For Action & Sandy Hook Promise present Take Action x SXSW Official Music Showcase / Green Carpet
7:20pm - Tribe Friday
8:00pm - Mark Barden & Friends
8:50pm - The Dumes
9:40pm - Sexpop
10:30pm - Passion Pit
11:40pm - Ginuwine
1:00am - Artie Tobia & Redtail Revival
*Registration includes opt-in to AFA, Sandy Hook Promise and all partner mailing lists
