Music News Blog

Gerd Leonhard, Popkomm IMEA Jury Chairman and Executive Producer, comments, "We are delighted to receive so much interest and support from some of the industry's brightest minds and super-nodes. This year's jury will gather some of the most influential people in music / media, entertainment and technology, thereby offering all participating companies a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to mingle and network with a group of people that can make all the difference for the future of their ventures."

Comments Juror Andy Taylor, "I am delighted to be involved with Popkomm IMEA and look forward to helping to choose from the most exciting innovations in entertainment." Adds Ralph Simon: "Popkomm is now seen as a major intersection point for the German and European music and now, the 'mobile' music business. There is no better vector point for the future of the music industry to be at this year if you want to get to see where music and mobile is going." "I'm honored to be a part of Popkomm's efforts to recognize the best and the brightest, the true cutting-edge pioneers in digital media," remarks Juror Ted Cohen.

"It honors our profession of media technology to bring honor to those who practice what we preach: Innovation is the lifeblood of music, media and communication," remarks Juror Jim Griffin. "Popkomm elevates the human spirit in many ways, none so great and rewarding as empowering and recognizing the entrepreneurs who often risk everything to bring their next new idea to the public. Popkomm IMEA motivates, inspires and educates the world about what is possible, what is looming on the horizon, what is next and new and now."

"I am excited about the prospect of being involved in Popkomm IMEA 2005, to see and judge the brightest and best new ideas which marry music, entertainment and technology together," states Juror Alison Wenham.

"The future for the music industry is all about partnership and collaboration between innovative technology companies and music rights owners," says Juror Paul Hitchman. "As the winner of the 2004 award, I can testify that Popkomm IMEA is a great platform for establishing new partnerships and presenting new ideas to the music industry, and I am very happy to be able to contribute again this year".

"Popkomm is now seen as a major intersection point for the German and European music and now, 'mobile' music business - there is no better vector point for the future of the music industry to be at this year if you want to get to see where music and mobile is going," explains Juror Ralph Simon.

"Everything changes - that's great, as long as we have enough innovations for this change," observes Juror Tim Renner

The idea behind Popkomm-IMEA is to present the brightest new music and entertainment business ideas to a jury of distinguished industry experts and an audience of industry professionals, media representatives, and potential investors or strategic partners. The awards recognize both individual and corporate leaders in bringing technology solutions to music artists and consumers. Last year's winners were PlaylouderMSP, Kodime and Jukecharts.

This year some of the jury members will also serve as pre-event 'screeners' and will contribute to the initial selection process. Popkomm IMEA will also expand into an all-day affair and present five finalists in each of three categories: Mobile Music & Entertainment; Digital Music & Entertainment Innovations and B2B Solutions; and Live Music and Marketing Innovations. These categories also correspond with the main themes of this year's Popkomm Congress. Before the event, the IMEA2005 blog will feature some of the hottest new companies in this space on a daily basis (http://imea2005.typepad.com).

Popkomm-IMEA is joint project of Popkomm GmbH and Gerd Leonhard, CEO of ThinkAndLink (TAL), a digital music & media advisory agency, based in Basel (Switzerland) and San Francisco, USA. Leonhard will again serve as Chairman and Executive Producer, with TAL-Partner Kelli Richards of AllAccessGroup serving as Co-producer and U.S. representative, and TAL-Partner Wim Reijnen serving as Asia representative in Bangkok, Thailand.

As previously announced, Popkomm IMEA will accept nominations until July 12, 2005 via www.popkommawards.com. Popkomm IMEA media partners include Billboard, Musically, Digital Media Wire, European Tech Wire and Musikmarkt. Additional jurors will be announced in May and June.

About Popkomm
The 17th Popkomm will take place at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from September 14-17; numerous trade visitors from all over the world are expected to attend this established business platform for the music and entertainment sectors. With its Exhibition, Festival and Congress sections Popkomm provides three forums for the participants, who represent not only the core sector of the music business but also come from a number of other associated fields such as advertising, film, fashion, consumer electronics, mobile entertainment and the live entertainment sector. The official 2005 partner country is Spain. Popkomm 2005 is organized by Popkomm GmbH, Berlin, a subsidiary of Messe Berlin GmbH