IMS Asia-Pacific Announces Speakers For Shanghai, China Sept 29-30

Skrillex, Alesso, Asia pop star Jolin Tsai, Pete Tong, Chinese producer Chace, Mute’s Daniel Miller, OWSLA, Sony, Universal Music, AM Only, WME and Many More

2016 IMS Market Focus On Japan

The International Music Summit (IMS), in partnership with Budweiser STORM Festival, today revealed the first round of speakers and initial programming details for the third IMS Asia-Pacific, taking place Sept 29 – 30 in Shanghai, China at the Hyatt on the Bund. IMS will gather global artists, thought-leaders and industry figureheads to explore the growing influence of electronic music and the issues, challenges and opportunities that face the industry globally and in Asia. 2016’s IMS Asian market focus will be Japan.

Two of the world’s biggest electronic artists, Alesso and Skrillex, arrive at IMS Asia-Pacific to share how they are building their profiles in Asia. Skrillex will bring his Meet Team OWSLA session to IMS which includes some of the key players behind the success of Skrillex and his OWSLA imprint; Tim Smith (Manager), Lee Anderson (Agent) & Blaise DeAngelo (OWSLA GM). The panel will discuss the strategies, successes and challenges of taking their sound and style across Asia-Pacific. Key topics include: recording in Korea, the influence of Japan, synchs with Chinese film studios, touring strategy for south east Asia and much more.

Alesso will discuss how working with local Asian artists is an important way for him to connect with local audiences. IMS will also showcase the stories behind some of the biggest stars emerging in Asia, such as Asia’s Pop Queen and vocalist Jolin Tsai, leading underground Thai DJ Nakadia and 17-year old Chace, who’s global profile is rapidly rising after collaborating with Yellow Claw and becoming the first Chinese artist to ever play Tomorrowland.

Global touring powerhouses like WME, AM Only and Coda will explain how and why they are focused on the expanding Asian market, while the region’s biggest promoters, such as Jason Swamy (Wonderfruit, Further Future) and Shailendra Singh (Percept, India) will deliver on the ground insight into the size, scale and unique character of the Asian markets.

Streaming and sales continue to be a hot button issue globally, and IMS will offer viewpoints from major labels like Sony Japan and Universal China on the unique platforms and landscape of the Asian record business.

IMS will also explore the media landscape in Asia, with participants from global media brands like Pulse, Mixmag and Billboard, who have all launched localized platforms throughout the region.

In 2015 IMS revealed that electronic music event attendance in China had risen 30% since 2011. The region is filled with a growing population of young, eager fans, hopeful talent and hungry professionals aiming to help cultivate the electronic music scene in the region. 2016’s IMS Asia-Pacific will bridge the gap between East and West and provide unique first hand insight into the artists, businesses and events that are making Asia Pacific one of the most exciting and rapidly growing electronic music markets in the world. IMS Asia-Pacific will feature a Market Focus on Japan, a region which has trail blazed electronic music in the region for 30 years and remains the technological home of innovation for the genre.

“Asia is one of electronic music’s biggest opportunities, yet a market that most who live outside know little about,” said Ben Turner, co-founder of IMS. “The caliber of our speakers highlights the growing global interest in the region and it’s imperative for IMS to build a dialogue and create further connections and understanding between East and West. We’re delighted to be working with STORM and Eric as our local partners, who have been instrumental in bringing IMS to China.”

“Witnessing the rise of electronic music in the region for the past 4 years has convinced me beyond doubt that we have made the right choice to enter the market,” said Eric Zho, Founder of A2 Entertainment Group and STORM Electronic Music Festival in China. “Our goal for IMS Asia Pacific is to clear any red tape and support those who have an interest in the region, to further grow and penetrate a territory that host more than 60% of the world’s population. With Ben Turner’s experience and foresight, combined with our own experience in the region, we believe IMS Asia Pacific will be the key to help open those doors for the dance music industry.”

After debuting IMS Asia-Pacific in Singapore in 2014, IMS launched in China in 2015. In 2016 IMS will consolidate its Asia-Pacific events, with Shanghai’s September event being its sole event in the region. IMS was the first ever electronic music summit in China, recognizing the country’s growing enthusiasm for and importance to the global electronic music industry.

Budweiser STORM Festival has become China’s premier electronic music event since its launch in 2013. In addition to its flagship Shanghai event Storm now hosts regional events around China. Its attendance in 2016 is expected to surpass 30,000 per day, and they have hosted some of the world’s biggest DJs including Kaskade, Galantis, Skrillex and more.

Phase One Speaker list:

Skrillex (Artist, North America)
Alesso (Artist, Sweden)
Jolin Tsai (Artist, Asia)
Pete Tong (Artist, UK)
Amy Thomson (CEO, ATM Artists, USA)
Shailendra Singh (Promoter, Percept, India)
Lee Anderson (Agent, AM Only, USA)
Tim Smith (CEO / Founder, Blood Company)
Blaise DeAngelo (A&R, OWSLA, USA)
Chace (Artist, China)
Nakadia (Artist, Thailand)
David Levy (Agent, WME, UK)
Jason Swamy (Director, WonderFruit, Hong Kong)
Lauren Rose-Kocher (Business Development, Sony Music Entertainment, Japan)
Murat Kilic (Artist, CEO, Spice – Reckless Republic, Australia)
Wade Cawood (CEO / Founder, Pulse Global)
Caralinda Booth (Artist Development, Universal Music, China)
Jonathan Serbin (Billboard, Head of Asia)