Digital distribution has changed the structure of music business and had a significant impact on record labels, retailers and distributors. These challenges for the music industry also present opportunities for new music businesses and DIY artists . This panel will discuss the range of services available from digital retail to streaming services and how to generate revenue from your music

The Guest Speakers Include:

• Steve Purdham – CEO We7
Steve is CEO and founder investor in We7, the new ad funded Music phenomenon. He has a passion for music, but apart from early days as a DJ, his real success to date has been in the computer industry, an industry he has been in since age 14 (when PC’s were science fiction). Prior to We7, Steve was Co-Founder and CEO of SurfControl, where he developed the company’s vision and architecture. He took the company public on AIM, EASDAQ and the London Main market from which he generated hyper-growth creating a successful global operation with profitable revenues exceeding $100m. SurfControl was sold for almost $450m in 2007. Steve has been recognised by many prestigious business awards including IOD director of the Year

• Lee Parsons – Ditto Music
Is the co-founder and MD of Ditto Music. Lee and Matt Parsons started Ditto Music in 2006 and have had 7 UK Top 40 singles, all with unsigned artists. Whether you want to set up your own record label, become chart eligible, sell your music on pre-release, SMS or sell music on our network of over 700 stores, Ditto Music means more choice and more exposure. Ditto have had 7 UK top 40 singles, all with unsigned artists and seen artists like Doug Walker go on to sign 7 figure record deals.

• Paul Bowers – AWAL
Originally trained in graphic design, Paul Bower began working in label management at WAU! Mr Modo Records in the late 80's and later managing studio facilities for Bacon & Quarmby for nearly a decade. Paul has been running the Awal Sheffield office since 2004 and in that period has signed cheques to the value of £1.8m. In 1998 Paul produced a continental chart hit for Vonal KSZ, unfortunately the continent in question was Antarctica. Paul's own label Un! Recordings still bothers the world's media at evenings and weekends. Three music industry experts will be visiting Leeds in September to discuss digital distribution and its effect on the music industry.