VMDO Networking Breakfasts are a monthly get-together for Victorian music industry professionals.

Originally starting in December 2018, VMDO delivered 12 x in-person Networking Breakfasts across 2018, 2019 and 2020, which took place at the White Sky Hub in Collingwood.

VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfasts ran from March - December 2020, evolving to a virtual format during the COVID-19 crisis. These events aimed to bring together the mid-career through to the established of the Victorian music business community to share ideas, catch up and collaborate. These networking breakfasts hosted a variety of special guests from around the state, country and international music community. Breakfast guests presented on industry trends, analysis, business learnings and opportunities.

Upcoming Virtual Networking Breakfasts

The next Virtual Networking Breakfast is yet to be announced.
Subscribe to our mailing list below to be notified of the next incoming event.

Past Virtual Networking Breakfasts

VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfasts x BIGSOUND - Meet The Speakers

Trans Tasman Talks
Tuesday 17 November

On Tuesday 17 November 2020, we presented a very special VIC/NZ Networking session, hosted by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) and the Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO).

Following on from last month's focus on industry connections, VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfasts returned in November, with an opportunity to establish new Trans Tasman contacts.

The VMDO and Independent Music New Zealand came together to facilitate 2 hours of online networking. This session had a B2B focus and was targeted towards professionals currently working in the music industry.

These speed meetings were short and snappy, giving participants a chance to connect virtually with industry peers and develop new relationships.

BIGSOUND: Meet the Speakers
Monday 26 October

On Monday 26 October 2020, we presented a post BIGSOUND 2020 session, where music industry professionals got the chance to meet the speakers, in a small group setting. 

The VMDO provided a setting for the music industry to connect virtually and chat face-to-face with keynote presenters, international panellists and BIGSOUND programmers. 

Speakers who joined the session included: Alethea Beetson (BIGSOUND), Amber Horsburgh (School of Deep Cuts), Emily Ulman (ISOL-AID / Brunswick Music Festival), Emily Williams (mtheory, NYC), Guy Morrow (University of Melbourne), Johann Ponniah (I Oh You), Julian McGruther (Mushroom Music Publishing), Mardi Caught (The Annex) and Tom Larkin (BIGSOUND).

These speed meetings were short and snappy, giving participants a chance to ask any burning questions direct. At the same time, they connected with a group of industry peers, which provided an opportunity to develop new relationships. 

VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfasts videos

Virtual Networking Breakfast X SXSW Online 2021
25 February 2021

On Thursday 25th of February, we held a VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfast where we discussed SXSW Online 2021.

When you think SXSW, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For the creative industries, SXSW is recognised as the premier global conference for music, film and interactive media. SXSW Music Festival is a melting pot of artists and music professionals and has a reputation for supporting business opportunities on the world stage.

For the first time in 2021, SXSW will be delivered entirely online. Taking place from March 16-20, the digital experience will bring delegates the benefits of sessions, film festival screenings, music showcases, networking and exhibitions.

We hosted a very special in-conversation event, with Hugh Forrest (SXSW Chief Programming Officer) and Dev Sherlock (SXSW Music Programmer) who discussed the decision-making process behind delivering the event online, what you can expect and how their vision aligns with what the creative industries need in a crisis. Moderated by Andrew Watt (SXSW ANZ Representative).

Moderator:
Andrew Watt

Panellists:
Hugh Forrest
Dev Sherlock

VMDO Staff:
Katie Stewart

Virtual Networking Breakfast X Melbourne Music Week - Extended
16 December 2020

On Wednesday 16 December 2020, we held our very last VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfast for the year, in partnership with Melbourne Music Week: Extended.

These New South Whales—the band—are one of Australia’s most revered punk acts. But they also make groundbreaking comedy TV, and they star in it. Real band on stage, real band on record, heightened alter-ego band on screen. NME was close in dubbing it “the punk Flight of the Conchords”, but Kerrang said it best with “art-punk brilliance”.

The former Sydney (now Melbourne) premier punk act are serious kings of content. With two critically acclaimed albums, their iconic Comedy Central mockumentary series (now available on YouTube), new hit podcast 'What a Great Punk', exclusive Patreon subscription service and talk-show ‘TNSW Tonight!’ (filmed at Melbourne’s The Croxton) — there aren’t a lot of platforms they haven’t conquered. Jamie Timony and Todd Andrews talk through their approach to content creation and why it sits hand in hand with being an artist in 2020.

VR & Video Games in Music
23 September

On Wednesday 23 September, 2020, we held a VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfast where we discussed the latest in VR, video games and the music industry. 

Moderated by award-winning composer and writer Dr. Dan Golding, panellists include participants of the VMDO Indie Bands x Indie Devs pilot program, Melbourne punk band (Cable Ties) and independent games developer (Cecile Richard). They will discuss the outcome of the program, a Bitsy game called HOPE that is about learning to rely on others and fighting against hopelessness, together.

You’ll also hear from Darren Vukasinovic from Inverse, Australia's first 3D live VR streaming platform that is launching in October 2020 and has booked seven Victorian artists for upcoming gigs. Darren will be previewing the VR user experience and Caleb Williams (UNIFIED) will share his thoughts about connecting audiences to artists through VR.

Moderator:
Dr Dan Golding

Panellists:
Cable Ties
Cecile Richards
Darren Vukasinovic
Caleb Willams

VMDO Staff:
Katie Stewart

Tools for Resilience
26 August

On Wednesday 26 August, 2020, we held a VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfast where we discussed the concept of resilience. Co- presented with Support Act, we heard from a range of music industry and mental health representatives about how they've cultivated resilience in their working lives, in the face of COVID-19.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from problems and setbacks. It’s not about feeling good about bad situations but our capacity to rebound and adapt to life's challenges. We'll be hearing from a range of music industry and mental health representatives about how they've cultivated resilience in their working lives, in the face of COVID-19. Moderated by Viv Fantin, Next Act Coaching, panellists include: Sarah Hamilton, Ditto Music (Regional Manager AU/NZ) Luke O'Connor, Support Act (Industry Relations and Partnerships Manager), ZIIMUSIC (Artist) and Ash King, The Indigo Project (Provisional Psychologist).

Moderator:
Viv Fantin (Next Act Coaching)

Panellists:
Sarah Hamilton (Ditto Music)
Luke O'Connor (Support Act)
ZIIMUSIC (Artist)
Ash King (The Indigo Project)

VMDO staff:
Katie Stewart

Represent and Advocate
July 29, 2020

On Wednesday 29 July, we held a VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfasts where we heard from the people championing the Australian music industry and the various businesses, workers and creatives within it.

Moderator:
Helen Marcou (Bakehouse Studio)

Panellists:
Robbie Bundle (Songlines)
Howard Freeman (CrewCare)
Julia Robinson (Australian Festival Association)
Stuart Watters (Australian Live Music Business Council)

VMDO Staff:
Katie Stewart (General Manager)
Neil Morris (Music Business Manager, First Peoples)

NZ Led
June 24, 2020

On Wednesday 24 June, we held a Virtual Networking Breakfasts where we discussed the New Zealand music industry and their road to recovery. Recently, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the relaxing of coronavirus restrictions. In Australia, the music industry is approaching the first reopening phase, with Covid-safe measures in place. A panel of key players from the NZ music industry discussed their road to recovery.

Moderator:
Alastair Burns (Heartstop Music)

Panellists:
Cath Andersen (New Zealand Music Commission)
Mark Kneebone (Live Nation Australasia)
Teresa Patterson (NZ Music Managers Forum)

VMDO Staff:
Katie Stewart (General Manager)

Crunching Numbers
June 12, 2020

On Wednesday 10 June, we held a Virtual Networking Breakfast about 'Crunching Numbers'. Matt Bird (Senior Royalty Analyst, White Sky) led a discussion about music industry data analysis, specifically the practical side. By its nature, data analytics is looking at things that have already happened. But how can that information be used to make decisions going forward? Not everyone is a genius with spreadsheets, but there are tools you can use to inform yourself either way. Matt went through how budgets and past sales performance can be used to plan for your next release, and also dive into some record deal modelling, to see how all the numbers really stack up.

Speaker:
Matt Bird

VMDO Staff:
Katie Stewart (General Manager)

VMDO First Peoples - Culture, Place and Systems
May 27, 2020

On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, VMDO First Peoples held a special Virtual Networking Breakfast in honour of Reconciliation Week. Reconciliation Week is a time to think about the histories upon this land pre invasion and into the present. At a time such as the now when the music sector is moving through the impacts of COVID-19, it is a timely moment to reflect on First Nations values around Culture, Place and Systems as it relates to music. This Virtual Networking Breakfast featured voices of First Nations women in the music sector: Mandy Nicholson (Djirri Djirri); Alethea Beetson (Q Music, BIG SOUND and Digi Youth Arts); and Yorta Yorta artist Allara.

Moderator:
Neil Morris (VMDO First Peoples)

Panellists:
Mandy Nicholson (Djirri Djirri);
Alethea Beetson (Q Music, BIG SOUND and Digi Youth Arts);
Allara (Yorta Yorta artist)

VMDO Staff:
Katie Stewart (General Manager)

Social Media Trends
May 13, 2020

On Wednesday 13 May 2020, VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfasts discussed social media trends during COVID-19. Presenters discussed shifts in social media use and media consumption during the pandemic through the lens of the music industry, and offered practical tips for how music businesses and artists can pivot to keep engaging with their audience and drive outcomes.

Panellists:
Leesa Snider (Achord Agency)
Paige X. Cho (Bolster)

VMDO Staff:
Katie Stewart (General Manager)
Neil Morris (Music Business Manager, First Peoples)

Talking Twitch
April 29, 2020

On Wednesday 29th April, VMDO Virtual Networking Breakfasts discussed the rise of the livestream platform, Twitch and how music streamers can thrive and grow their audience. Do you need to be a gamer? How does monetisation on Twitch work? What do you need to know about growing an audience? 

Moderator:
Michelle Mannering (aka Mish Manners, Hackathon Queen)

Panellists:
Lewis Mitchell (Partnerships Lead AU & NZ, Twitch)
Ahilleas Papantos (Talent Agent & Business Manager, AZYT Global Talent)

VMDO Staff:
Katie Stewart (General Manager)
Neil Morris (Music Business Manager, First Peoples)