The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and YouTube Music have announced the first 24 beneficiaries of the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers (APMM).
The managers will be awarded grants of up to £15,000 to help develop their business - as well as extensive training and mentoring. Drawn from across England and Scotland, recipients include the managers for Mammút, Poppy Ajudha, Voyager, Tender, Puma Blue, Declan Walsh and the Decadent West, Moses Boyd, Brookes Brothers, Polar, Lyra, Shakka, Spinn, Murkage Dave, Maths Time Joy and Ider. A full list of successful Accelerator applicants can be seen here.
The programme, which is also supported by the Arts Council England (ACE) and the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), was launched in October 2018 and is the first ever independent funding and professional development initiative designed solely for artist, songwriter and producer managers.
Fiona McGugan, general manager of the MMF, which represents more than 600 UK-based managers, said: “With the help of YouTube Music, Arts Council England and the SMIA, I am absolutely delighted that Accelerator has taken off so quickly and will immediately benefit 24 accomplished individuals who represent such a wide and diverse range of talent. More so than ever, music managers play a linchpin role in the careers of artists, songwriters, producers and musicians, and our aim is for Accelerator to empower their businesses and make a significant and lasting impact.”
APMM is aimed at benefitting upcoming music management businesses through a combination of financial and educational support - offering 12-month grants of up to £15,000. With additional backing from ACE and SMIA, recipients will benefit from tailored training and expert mentoring delivered in partnership with CMU Insights and Music Ally.
All will be overseen by experienced manager and music specialist Paul Bonham, who will take a 12 month secondment from his current position as relationship manager, diversity & music at Arts Council England to project manage the initiative.
Azi Eftekhari, head of YouTube Music Partnerships, UK and Ireland, said: “Managers are the lifeblood of the music business, and our industry will continue to thrive if they have the support to continue focusing on their businesses. YouTube Music is so pleased to be supporting the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers in partnership with the Music Managers Forum. These 24 individuals represent some of the most exciting next wave of management industry, and we look forward to seeing how they use these funds to improve and evolve their business here in the UK.”
Consulting partners for APMM include Urban Development, Small Green Shoots, I Luv Live and Generator, while partners providing business support include Harbottle & Lewis, Sheridans, Simkins, Simons Muirhead & Burton, Music Insurance Brokers and SRLV.
