In the 10th anniversary Vienna Music Business Research Days on the “Future of the Music Business” at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna/Austria) music business researchers and music business professionals look into the recent past of the music industry to learn more about its future. Find the program here.
Michael Smellie, the former COO of the recorded music major Sony/BMG and Australian start-up investor, looks into the recent history of the music industry by highlighting the “Seven Deadly Sins of the Music Industry”. He is also a panelist in the discussion on the “Future of the Music Business – What’s Next after Music Streaming?”with Rebecca Brook (music industry consultant, London, UK), Pete Downton (7digital, London, UK) and Phil Graham (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia).
Michael’s career in the music business spans more than 25 years and across five continents as former Global Chief Operating Officer of SonyBMG, Asia Pacific Head of BMG and Managing Director of PolyGram and rooArt in Australia.
As COO of BMG worldwide, he directed the company through some turbulent years and was an integral part of negotiating and implementing the merger with Sony Music. He was appointed COO of SonyBMG in 2004 before leaving at the end of 2005 to return to Australia. He was then appointed President of Media Development for Asia Pacific for German media giant Bertelsmann from 2006 until 2009.
He is an investor, advisor and board member of a number of creative start-up businesses in Australia and USA. He is a past Chair of the Australian Film Television and Radio School, Creative Enterprise Australia and the Australian operation of Global Citizen. He is currently the Chair of The Music Council of Australia.
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