Into the Industry, the event that nurtures local talent
Molineux Stadium hosted a careers showcase on Thursday, May 30th, 2024, to provide insight for 16-24-year-olds on the roles and opportunities in the music industry. The event was delivered by partners Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Warner Music UK, and KISS, with support from the Wolves Foundation.
Grime and rap artist Reepa and record producer/singer-songwriter S-X, both based in Wolverhampton, joined a panel of industry insiders from A&R, Broadcast Media, and PR/Communications to answer questions and deliver insider tips on how to succeed in the music industry.
Over 80 young people from local youth organisations representing the vibrant local community registered for the event to listen to music industry professionals. These key figures are driving the careers of some of the world's biggest and most exciting artists, from Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Coldplay, making the event a source of local pride and inspiration.
The lively panel discussions were hosted by KISS DJ Ellie Prohan and included Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music UK; Seyi Aafaobi, Producer, KISS Fresh; Rebecca Frank, KISS Content Director; Jerome Porritt, Head of A&R, Warner Records; Keir Fullerton, SVP, A&R, Warner Records; and James Collingwood, Wolves Records' Artist Manager. Parlophone Records' Head of Promotions, Grace O'Neil, and Audience and Engagement Manager Connor Cockbain completed the line-up of industry insiders.
The event in Wolverhampton follows the success of workshop-based careers events in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast and Dublin over the last 12 months. Each enables and educates youth networks about the roles and opportunities open to them in the music business, from internships and work experience to mentoring and advice from employees and artists.
“ The event at the Molineux Stadium is part of a national series of events that brings together a network of industry insiders and gives young people the opportunity to discover the range of careers available in the music industry and the skills they may need. Through our Into the Industry partnership with Warner Music and Kiss, and in Wolverhampton with the support of the Wolves Foundation we hope to help young people be better informed, better equipped and better networked to succeed in their career choice.”
“We have been partners and friends with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club for a while, and to come to Wolves and be able to host an Into the Industry event with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and KISS is a happy day. We are thrilled to be able to come here and talk about the openness of the music industry with young people, and we hope young people understand that it’s not just creators who get a break; our industry has skills across the board, from finance and legal to promotion and marketing to artist and repertoire, there’s the opportunity for everyone.”
“We are grateful to the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and partners that enabled us to bring the Into the Industry event to Wolverhampton and cultivate opportunities within the music industry for young people.”
The free-to-attend event was part of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Warner Music UKs, and Bauer Media's commitment to creating opportunities that develop skills and encourage social mobility. This event is a testament to a partnership that utilises music, sport, and youth culture to inspire, mentor and support young people, providing them with the tools to access meaningful career opportunities.
