The Business of Music
Music & Tech Conference & Showcase Festival
Arlo Williamsburg Hotel October 15-18, 2024
Mondo.NYC Speaker
Serona Elton
Head of Educational Partnerships, The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
Serona Elton serves as Head of Educational Partnerships for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC). In this role, Elton directs The MLC’s efforts to engage future members of the music industry currently studying music business and related subjects at colleges and universities across the country and around the world.
With extensive experience as a music industry professional and educator, Elton is also a professor, Director of the Music Industry Program, and Associate Dean of Administration at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. In 2023, she was named Music Business Educator of the Year by the Music Business Association. She is also a Yamaha Master Educator.
Elton has worked for or with many top music companies including Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group, as an expert in licensing and royalties. She is co-author of the book Music Business Handbook and Career Guide (13th edition), and has contributed to news stories for NPR’s Marketplace, CNN.com, The New York Times Billboard and other outlets.
Elton has served as a president of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA), as a trustee of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A., as the chair of the Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section, and on the Recording Academy, Florida Chapter, Board of Governors. She is also an alumnus of the Nashville-based Leadership Music program, and a licensed attorney in New York and Florida.
Data Unbound: Unlocking Creative Potential through Transparency and Data Tools
10/12/23, 7:00 PM
In today's rapidly evolving music industry landscape, the intersection of data and creativity has become a powerful force, influencing how artists, songwriters and other creatives approach their craft and take control of their revenue streams. This panel is an engaging discussion that explores the role of transparency in unlocking the creative potential of individuals and industries alike, while maximizing revenue streams.
Join representatives from the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) and PRS for Music as they explore the transformative impact of industry wide efforts towards transparency and accountability. This panel will dive into the history of the notorious “black box” and unveil the measures being taken to illuminate and eliminate it. Discover how initiatives are revolutionizing the industry, opening doors to improved licensing and payment practices and how creatives can utilize helpful tools at their fingertips.
CLE: Policy Shifts and their Ripple Effects
10/14/22, 2:00 PM
In the past year there were a number of significant developments to music-related policies and commercial standards. Why do these changes matter and what will be their economic and business impact? This panel will analyze these recent developments and their potential effects on monetization, legal agreements, and business practices. Topics will include the increase in the statutory mechanical royalty rate, the Free Artists from Industry Restrictions bill pending in California, the implementation of Article 17 in Europe, the proposed SMART Act, major labels forgiving unrecouped royalty balances for legacy artists, and BMG's removal of controlled composition clauses. (Mondo attendees are welcome to attend all CLE panels.)