Moshito turns up the heat on the business of music at 2011 event

The first, on August 31st at 2pm, is Understanding the digital music ecosystem featuring panellist Marc Herson who is currently Digital Media Executive at Softbank Capital. Based in Cape Town, Herson was formerly Senior Vice President, Strategy & New Ventures at (then) SONY BMG, overseeing strategy, M&A and consumer research, with a focus on developing new mobile and digital businesses. Joining Herson in the discussion are Antos Stella of Content Connect, Xolani Zulu of SAMRO, Steven Ambrose, Managing Director at World Wide Worx Strategy, Nomsa Ntuli, Vodacom Content Manager: Music and Thabiet Allie, Vodacom Commercial Portfolio Manager: Media.

Also on August 31st (at 3.15pm) is the panel discussion on The Future of Digital Music In Africa.

The heavyweight panel for this topic includes Ben Herson, the founder and director of Nomadic Wax a global hip-hop record label and production company dedicated to recording, documenting and presenting hip-hop and underground music from around the world. He is joined by Gustav Praekelt, founder and CEO of Johannesburg-based Praekelt Consulting (a leader in developing mobile solutions for commercial clients) as well as a locally-based representative of the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA), a US-based industry-leading digital music distribution company.

Other topics on Day One of Moshito 2011 include a session titled Mzanzis Golden Economy The DAC, the DTI and the music industry strategy. Under this topic Professor Chats DeVroop will deliver a paper titled Music as Culture versus Music as Creative Industries. Discussions like Women and leadership in the music industry and The Growth of a Viable Pan-African Festival Circuit are also likely to attract delegates.

Day Twos programme features what promises to be one of the most heated debates of Moshito 2011 an examination of Local broadcast content and compliance with the UN Convention on Cultural Diversity by a panel that includes Christa Rautenbach (Northwest University), and Anel du Plessis (Northwest University).

The experience of other emerging markets is set to play a significant role in Moshito 2011 particularly a session on Day Two that examines Colombia's Cultural Policy and the possibilities of cultural exchange between South Africa and Columbia. This session includes Raul Esteban Sanchez Niño of the Colombian embassy in South Africa, Richard Blair (Sidestepper), and journalist, Salym Fayad.

Day Three of Moshito 2011 swings the focus from the challenges and issues facing the music industry to a series of presentations that ensure newcomers to the industry or those needing to brush up on their knowledge and skills have a one-stop shop to go to. Topics on September 2nd range from How To Improve Digital Revenue Streams, to the youth-orientated Technology for DJ's - Beyond vinyl and loops; Publishing 101; Why Musicians Need Managers; Making Money Composing Music (featuring a presentation by award-winning composer, Phillip Miller), and Touring North America (with input from Daniel Brooks of the Toronto-based International Tour and Tech Academy as well as SXSW Hip-hop and world music programmer, Matt Sonzala ).

Adding impact to Moshito 2011 is a host of live music events, including the now annual Africa Unites concert, presented in association with Arts Alive 2011. This year, Africa Unites takes place on September 2nd, and features a stunning line-up of world-class African artists including Nigerian singer-songwriter, Asa, award winning Kenyan musician , Eric Wainaina and South Africas etho-ragga and soul songstress, Nkulee Dube.

Once again, Moshito 2011 includes an exhibition element that will see leading entertainment, educational, governmental, and related entities exhibiting their services and goods to the public.

For a full programme and registration details - go to www.moshito.co.za