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We kick off the final day of Mondo with breakfast in the ballroom hosted by our friends at Technotainment. Technotainment brings The Music Revolution to Mondo. Meet the Technotainment team starting at 9 AM in the Grand Ballroom of the Arlo.

We're proud to present an intimate conversation between two industry leaders about the state of our industry and where it's headed. Mondo welcomes Apple Music's Ole Obermann and the RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier for what promises to be a spirited and memorable conversation.

When Pieter van Rijn spoke at Mondo in 2024, he reflected on the company’s journey over the two decades since its founding. Through a series of strategic moves amid an ever-evolving industry, Downtown evolved from a traditional music publisher into a comprehensive music services business serving independent artists, songwriters and businesses worldwide

But in the year since van Rijn's last Mondo visit, the next step in Downtown's journey has been one of its most interesting, with the company's December 2024 announcement of its proposed acquisition by Virgin Music Group. Now, with a focus firmly on the future, van Rijn and Larry Miller will discuss the growing needs of independent artists, songwriters, and the businesses that support them, how technology is influencing a changing industry, and how a collaboration between Downtown and Virgin could provide this generation and the next with the tools they need to unlock their full potential.

Wake up sunshine -- it's time for Mondo Day Two. Yes, we know yesterday was awesome -- get ready for another great one with Beyond the Album, Everything You Need to Know about Music Policy in About an Hour, the Future of Music Creation & Technology's AI Deep Dive, the RIAA & Vermillio-hosted Lobby Reception and so much more. To start the day off right, our friends at ASCAP are hosting breakfast bites and Joe in the magnificent ballroom of the Arlo Williamsburg Hotel. Get outta bed, sleepy head!!!

Please join us for a special presentation and listening session into the making of Woody at Home with Anna Canoni, President of Woody Guthrie Publications and Woody’s granddaughter, and GRAMMY-winning producer Steve Rosenthal, as we delve into the process and backstory of the landmark release of Woody Guthrie’s home tapes. This year, home recordings by Woody Guthrie were released in the two-volume landmark collection Woody At Home –- Volumes 1 & 2 via Shamus Records, label subsidiary of TRO Essex Music Group.

Woody at Home is a two-volume secret treasure trove of Woody’s home recordings — recordings that Woody was unable to release in his lifetime, a life cut short by Huntington’s disease. Never intended for commercial release, these raw and intimate home tapes were recorded in 1951-1952 at the family’s apartment in Beach Haven, Brooklyn. Woody made them as his musical introduction to his new publisher. Now, thanks to the leaps made in technology, Woody’s voice, ideas, and recordings are a guiding and candid voice. Woody sings about historic events, stories of the disenfranchised and ignored, love, and of course, the fight against fascism.

The collection contains 22 previously unreleased recordings, including 13 Guthrie songs not heard on any of his other recordings. Woody Guthrie’s original tapes were made in his home using a consumer tape recorder that played and recorded at a very slow speed, 3 3/4 inches per second. The tapes have been restored with as much fidelity and character as possible in a way that matched the tenor and spirit of Woody’s songs. In this panel, the album's producers will delve into the making of Woody at Home. For more information, please visit woodyathome.com, shamusrecs.com or the official Woody Guthrie site at woodyguthrie.org.

In the age of social video, it is easier than ever for artists to reach potential listeners. However, it is also more difficult than ever to break through the noise and cultivate sustainable fandom. So where is the disconnect? Why do even viral hits not always deliver armies of fans – and how can platforms and marketing strategies be improved? Music discovery has evolved, and the music industry must do the same. Leveraging MIDiA’s latest research and a panel of expert speakers, this panel will explore:

• How music discovery is changing and becoming more fragmented
• The evolving role of social platforms: Marketing drivers, consumption platforms, or both?
• New strategies for reaching listeners

We will take a deep dive into cultivating unmatched loyalty with your most dedicated music listeners. This session covers tactics from VIP access and exclusive merchandise to leveraging community platforms and fan-driven data. Discover new ways to boost retention, increase lifetime value, and turn passionate fans into profitable partners.

Network with your colleagues and enjoy a wonderful Williamsburg lunch in the Grand Ballroom.

Independent venues and promoters face the same challenges as small businesses across the country, including rising costs, shifting consumer habits and tightening margins, while also dealing with the unique pressures of live entertainment. This panel will explore the realities of running an independent stage today, from profitability and operational hurdles to ancillary revenues and declining alcohol sales. Drawing on insights from NIVA’s State of Live Economic Research report, panelists will discuss what these forces mean for sustainability, entrepreneurship, and the future of the sector.

Industry headlines are sounding the alarm on how generative AI is going to replace artists and songwriters, but the reality of AI’s impact on the creative process is a lot more nuanced than that. This panel will examine how AI is impacting music creation from the creators’ point of view.

There is a steady stream of new platforms emerging that help artists share their music and build their fanbases in entirely new ways. Early adopting artists who crack the code on emerging platforms can get a head start on everyone else. This panel zeroes in on some of the most exciting new platforms and how they’re transforming how artists can utilize them to expand their fanbase and generate and collect revenue.

In today’s music economy, a strong brand is just as valuable as a hit single. From merch to sync to fan-driven content, artists and their teams are building multi-dimensional brands that drive long-term revenue. This panel dives into the must-have elements of artist brand development – from visual identity and narrative voice to product strategy and rights infrastructure – and how managers, marketers and platforms are monetizing every touchpoint.