- Nokia proudly announces collaboration with Finnish music
Finland, the fastest growing European music exporter, will be in the spotlight under the slogan Come hear. Finland when music industry professionals from all over the world gather at the Midem International Music Market on January 21-26 for the 40th anniversary event. On Sunday, January 22, 2006, the prestigious Palais des Festivals in Cannes will be at the epicentre as top-ranking Finnish artists from all musical genres occupy the three stages; Apocalyptica (UNIVERSAL), Värttinä (HOEDOWN), The 69 Eyes (EMI FINLAND), Redrama (EMI), Jori Hulkkonen (F COMMUNICATIONS), Darude (HELSINKI MUSIC COMPANY), Don Johnson Big Band (UNIVERSAL), Kimmo Pohjonen (HOEDOWN/ROCKADILLO), Twilightning (SPINEFARM RECORDS), The Crash (CLOCKWORK MUSIC MANAGEMENT), RinneRadio (ROCKADILLO), Five Corners Quintet (RICKY-TICK RECORDS) and DJ Slow (TEA-TIME/PLASTINKA) will showcase what the current buzz is all about on the constantly expanding Finnish music-export scene. Further information on each of the artists here >>>
Following in the wake of Finnish artists with a world-wide following, such as HIM, The Rasmus and Nightwish, the 13 Opening Night artists have all successfully expanded their careers outside Finlands borders and were selected by an independent international jury.
Midem Artistic Director Laurence Crenn and member of the artist-selection jury comments:
“MIDEM is particularly sensitive to countries like Finland, whose artists have already enjoyed international success but who hunger for further opportunities in new territories. This is why we are so proud to launch our 40th anniversary edition with a showcase of Finland’s musical artistry and diversity. From the energy of acts like the Don Johnson Big Band and Apocalyptica to the inventiveness of Kimmo Pohjonen, the evocative sounds of The Crash, and the innovative electro of DJ Jori Hulkkonen, I expect all delegates to be truly surprised and to spend a truly memorable evening.”
NOKIA joined by Finnish artists and companies to launch its new range of music devices
Nokia, the world leader in mobile communicatons, is teaming up with Finnish music in the Come hear. Finland. campaign to launch its new range of music products to international music professionals. The Nokia N91, its flagship music product, is the ultimate all-in-one combination of music player and mobile phone and will deliver Finnish music to all the professionals attending the Opening Night and the five-day trade fair. The collaboration also embraces a comprehensive co-operation with Finnish artists, offering exciting new marketing communications and campaigning opportunities for both the artists and Nokia.
Nokia´s Vice President of Music, Jonas Geust explains:
“Nokia is proud to be part of the rapid development of the Finnish music industry and its impressive growth, especially considering that our company roots are Finnish. The 4GB hard drive in the Nokia N91 provides the perfect opportunity to store and listen to thousands of songs by the latest Finnish artists with MIDEM attendees. Working together with Musex, were pleased to be able to combine mobility and music in a unique way, as well as contribute to a fantastic Opening Night celebrating 40 years of MIDEM.
An unprecedented number of Finnish music industry companies attracting a broad spectrum of dynamic partners
The strength of Finnish music exports is also mirrored in the increasing number of Finnish companies poised with artists and products to take part in Midem already more than double last years tally. All the major record companies, as well as a significant number of independent labels, publishers and managements 50 companies in all already confirmed fostering hundreds of exciting talents, ranging from hip hop to heavy metal, from jazz to electronic music and everything in between. The core funding for the Come hear. Finland. campaign at Midem is from Finnish industry and its internal funding bodies, reflecting their increasing involvement. As a result, the Opening Night production has received strong backing from Finlands key ministries Trade and Industry; Education/Culture, Foreign Ministry and the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Added to that, a broad front of dynamic Finnish music-solution companies is taking part in the campaign; this is only natural in the light of the pioneering role played by Finnish technology. The campaign is further enhanced by the Contra agency providing the dynamic design for the campaign identity and deliverables, CD-Linja offering their new digital DBS-box for producing the all-inclusive compilation albums, and Laitila Brewery providing the partys flavour in the form of a truly Finnish party tipple.
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www.musex.fi/midem2006
- Listen to the music of Finnish artists via streaming on-demand radio, empowered by Tezoma, presenting ALL the Come hear. Finland. artists
- Information on ALL the Finnish companies and organizations attending Midem 2006
- Timetables, sponsors, live footage and other goodies
The Come hear. Finland. campaign and Opening Night production at Midem is being produced by Music Export Finland, a joint export association representing the Finnish music industry. Production partners: Wille Wilenius/Noisy Promotion (sponsorships); Mii Saraskoski/Medianoche (pr); Pasi Leino, Heidi Bruce, Jussi Löytökorpi/Contra Integrated Creative Services (agency); Olli-Pekka Kallio/Eastway (technical production); Markku Pesonen/Welldone L.R. (artist production).
Music Export Finland would like to thank the following partners and funders for their kind support and co-operation: Main partner Nokia; other partners CD-linja, Contra, Laitila; funding partners Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Education, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, The Finnish Cultural Foundation; the music industry funding bodies The Finnish Performing Music Promotion Centre (ESEK) and The Foundation for the Promotion of Finnish Music (LUSES).
● Further information:
Mii Saraskoski, PR manager (interviews, press materials)
Email: mii (at) musex.fi
Mobile: +358 (0)44 550 1877
Paulina Ahokas, Director, Music Export Finland Association
Email: paulina (at) musex.fi
Mobile: +358 (0)40 5511 551
Fact file:
- According to the latest figures, released on the October 21, the total market value of Finnish music exports is 21,7 million euros and it has grown an average of 26 % annually 1999-2004. Full report in English available here >>>
- Even though Finlands population is only 0.7% of that of Europe, Finland held number one music exporter status in Europe 2004 (according to Billboard Magazines European Border Breaker Chart in 2004)
Quotes:
- How did a country famous for paper production and edible reindeer delicacies come to dominate the UK music scene? Thats what the Finns have done, with three of their major musical exports adorning our cover this month. Is it a battle between Him, The Rasmus and Nightwish for rock supremacy? Darren Taylor, Editor, rock sound (October 2005)
- With The Rasmus and HIM hitting the UK charts regularly, and breaking lo-fi dance act Husky Rescue appearing at Glastonbury last month, there’s no doubt that Finnish rock is to be taken seriously
The rock scene in Finland is quite simply incredible. Drowned In Sound (July 16 2005)
Midem International Music Market:
Midem is a meeting place for over 9,000 leading music-industry professionals from more than 90 countries and over 4,000 companies. Furthermore, over 800 media representatives from key media report from the event. Midem is the key event for networking and business deals in the music industry; global professionals have been gathering there for 39 years now. Midems 40th anniversary event will be held in the prestigious Palais des Festival in Cannes on January 22-26, 2006. Further information http://www.midem.com
Music Export Finland:
Music Export Finland is an export association started in January 2005. It offers a broad range of basic sales and promotional services to Finnish companies. It initiates and produces export projects, encourages clients to participate in and represents them at international trade fairs and other related events and actively co-promotes their products, seeks potential partners, collects export-related information about the industry of selected target markets and distributes this information to Finnish professionals, keeps industry professionals up to date on news and developments in the Finnish music business and seeks to develop funding and support structures for Finnish music export.
Its members consists of a broad front of Finnish music-industry organisations: IFPI Finland; Finnish Independent Record Producers Association IndieCo; Finnish Musicians Union; Finnish Composers Copyright Society Teosto/Finnish Music Information Centre (FIMIC); Finnish Composers and Lyric Writers Association ELVIS; Copyright Society of Performing Artists and Phonogram Producers in Finland GRAMEX; and The Finnish Music Publishers Association. This broad member-organisation base ensures that the export associations services are available to everyone working in the industry. Further information http://www.musex.fi