Downtown Music global president Mike Smith to speak at ACCES 2022

The renowned British industry vet joins an impressive roster of music professionals programmed for the conference, including Magic System founding member and frontman A’salfo (Ivory Coast), Sony Music Publishing Nigeria director Godwin Tom, Downtown Music global president, Boomplay Tanzania general manager Natasha Stambuli, Empire Publishing Africa managing director Munya Chanetsa (South Africa), TuneCore West and East Africa head Chioma Onuchukwu (Nigeria) as well as musicians Octopizzo (Kenya), Abigail (Tanzania) and Sholo Mwamba (Tanzania), among many others.

At ACCES 2022, he will participate in a panel discussion exploring the nuances of artist management while examining new business models and opportunities that exist for music players in the DIY era.

Smith, who was appointed to Downtown Music’s top role in September 2020, brings to the conference several decades of industry expertise, particularly in the areas of copyright and publishing, as well as artist management. 

Before heading Downtown, Smith worked with Warner Chappell and Columbia Records UK. He was also previously president of music at Universal Music UK-owned labels Mercury Records and Virgin/EMI.

His past signings include PJ Harvey, Elastica, Gorillaz, the White Stripes, the Libertines, Arctic Monkeys, Calvin Harris and Damon Albarn among others. He is also credited with overseeing deals with global popstars including Iggy Azalea, Lizzo and Duke Dumont, among others.

The pan-African music trade show is among the continent’s most important forums and an assemblage of the most prominent voices in the African music landscape. 

This year, the programme features conference presentations, panel discussions, live performances, workshops, networking activities, exhibitions and awards. 

Meanwhile, organisers of the 2022 ACCES conference have released the programme for this year’s edition. 

“We are very excited to share this year’s ACCES programme with our delegates,” Music In Africa Foundation director Eddie Hatitye said. “We are confident that the different elements and activities we’ve carefully added to this programme will provide an all-inclusive African music industry experience for all who attend this conference.”

Registration for ACCES 2022 is currently ongoing here and is free for all African delegates.