Member Article

Talented MMBE Graduates Celebrate Their Achievement

Last month saw the graduation celebration for some of the regions brightest new music business talent.

Managing a Music Business Enterprise (MMBE) is a new qualification that delivers the skills and knowledge essential to running a successful music business and is a nationally recognised Level 3 Diploma. The course was developed in the North East and now runs at Gateshead College, the Music Business School in London and is being rolled out nationally.

Whether embarking on a new venture or running an existing music business, MMBE covers the fundamental areas involved in building and growing a business in today’s music industry.

“Generator created MMBE so that people could leave the course with a qualification and also a ‘real world’ action plan to actually start a music business. There’s never been a better time to be independent in the music industry and it’s great to see that we are helping convert the students aspirations into reality .The profile of North East based musicians nationally has never been higher and the quality of the managers , labels and promotions companies needed to support this is also developing rapidly . You no longer have to leave to region to be successful as an artist or a music business.

This is a nationally significant course that was developed in the Ouseburn Valley by Generator, awarded by NCFE in Newcastle and delivered in partnership with Gateshead College. As well as celebrating the student’s achievements we’d like to think MMBE is another North East success story too!“ (Damian Baetens, Course Director)

“Gateshead College is delighted to be working in partnership with Generator delivering the MMBE programme. The course offers unparalleled development of a student’s entrepreneurial music business skills and experience with many graduates progressing into this field.

The quality of delivery is simply outstanding and students are clearly inspired from their sessions with leading music professionals, resulting in excellent success rates (93%). We are excited to see that the MMBE is building a national reputation, with MMBE already running at Music Business School, London and more planned to follow.

Gateshead College always works with the best partners to deliver outstanding provision, and the success of the MMBE epitomises this.“ Phil Richardson (Gateshead College)

Having completed the MMBE course last February, graduates were presented with certificates and told of their successes so far.

Since completing the course Amanda Gallagher (pictured) has established a music PR company, rockpig. Amanda said; “I’m really pleased to ‘graduate’ and receive my MMBE certificate as I feel the course hasbeen absolutely invaluable to me! It has given me a real insight into the music industry and really ‘fast-tracked’ me and allowed me to identify a gap in the industry.”

“It’s been nearly 18-months now from my initial business idea, and I have now firmlyestablished rockpig as a PR, Marketing and Promotions business; up to now I’ve managed an album release campaign for a band and I’m currently doing some independent event promotion, where I’m mainly dealing with the press and publicity side of things.”

“In addition, I’ve recently started presenting my own radio show called Born North on 102.4 Radio Hartlepool, which is the station’s only show dedicated to the North East music scene, so I’m hoping to achieve some great exposure for our region’s talented musicians and help to raise their profiles through airplay, so I’m quite excited about this latest venture of mine!”

Rob Larkin (pictured) has launched his DJ career and played this year at Evolution Festival, the North East’s biggest music event.

Polly Kerr (pictured) has used the knowledge she gained on the course to bag herself an internship at Generator, the UK’s leading music development agency. She is now in the process of setting up her own PR company.

MMBE Gateshead is running again this year for a third term beginning on Wednesday 7th November 2012. We recently held a taster session for people who want to get involved and find out more.

Due to extra demand, we are holding another MMBE taster session on Wednesday 27th June from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Gateshead College where you can meet the Generator team and lecturers to find out more information about the course.

This session is strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. If you’d like to attend please email jonny@generator.org.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Jane Rees .