NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

UK Trade & Investment Leads Mission to World's Biggest Music Market with Largest British Contingent to Date at South by South West (SXSW) Festival

UKTI, in partnership with AIM, PPL and PRS for Music, will be taking over an entire venue at the South by South West music trade festival to create a 'British Music Embassy' to promote talent such as chart-topping artist Estelle and VV Brown, the queen of retro pop.

The music companies and bands heading to Austin, Texas will also be networking with the leading players in the US music industry.

The UK has made significant inroads into the US music market with latest figures showing that more than 10% of music sales in the US are now from British acts compared to 7.6% in 2004. (BPI Figures)

The UK is the second-largest exporter of music repertoire in the world (after the USA). In the US itself, the UK is the second-largest source of repertoire, after US home-grown artists.

This year, UKTI is showcasing a range of music and is including R&B and hip hop following the breakthrough in the US of a number of British urban music acts, such as Jay Sean, who last year became the first British male urban act to top the American singles chart, and Estelle who will performing at the British Music Embassy.

Phil Patterson, UKTI's Music Industry Specialist, said: "South by South West is an incredible gateway of opportunity for the UK's music industry, when worked strategically. This is something that we at UKTI, along with our British Music industry partners attempt to deliver for the UK industry through our efforts at SXSW. Not only does it offer opportunities for artists hoping to take their music to new global audiences, it also gives our industry a real chance to develop business internationally.

"This year we believe we can really impress the international music industry and public with the range of talent emerging from the UK."

Feargal Sharkey, Chief Executive of UK Music, the umbrella group representing the UK's commercial industry said: "The UK has a globally-recognised status for producing new, exciting, diverse and successful music. As a nation, it's something that defines us. Consequently, it's no surprise that we send more artists and more delegates to Austin than any other country outside of the US. This year is no different –as ever, the depth of talent is truly astonishing."

This year's UKTI delegation to SXSW will be the biggest ever with film and interactive companies also attending. A special seminar, hosted by UKTI, will be examine issues raised by the convergence of these technologies.

Pat Fulgoni, of Chocolate Fireguard Records, who will be on the mission, said: "I am very pleased to work with UK Trade and Investment to achieve this important opportunity for Yorkshire music. Our previous missions resulted in US record deals and helped us to sell music to some big hitting US TV shows."

Music is a major export for the UK, worth around US$2 billion annually.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK's economy - acknowledged as Europe's best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information call +44 (0)20 7215 8000 or visit: www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk | www.youtube.com/UKTIWeb | http://blog.ukti.gov.uk | www.flickr.com/ukti | http://twitter.com/ukti

Media:
For UK Trade & Investment
Rosetta Buahin, 0207 215 8530
Press Officer
rosetta.buahin@ukti.gsi.gov.uk
or
Jeff Newelt, 917-450-7013
jahfurry@gmail.com
or
Priscilla Li, 212-508-9659
pli@makovsky.com
or
Daniela Viola, 212-508-9676
dviola@makovsky.com