Popkomm continues to build on its reputation as an outstanding and
leading international communication platform of the music and
entertainment industries. The fair has become an event which nobody in
the industry will now want to miss, providing a strong boost for
cultural politics and business. A substantial number of business deals
and international networking were the dominant aspects of the fair. It
is already clear that Popkomm will now increase its display area for
next year's event.
One of the most noteworthy business deals was concluded at the UK
stand. The Bertelsmann subsidiary arvato mobile and the Association of
Independent Music (AIM) signed a ground-breaking licensing agreement
which will attract new consumer groups to the Association of
Independent Music, and to UK independent labels in Europe and Japan.
From 20 to 22 September 817 exhibitors from 55 countries were
represented in Berlin. Once again over 15,000 visitors attended the
trade fair on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
An international event: 70 per cent of all exhibitors from abroad
Popkomm 2006 attracted a higher level of international attendance
than ever before. A total of 26 national stands spelled yet another
increase over the figure for the previous year. Besides Australia,
Canada, the UK, France, Austria, Switzerland, the Scandinavian
countries and many other nations, music export agencies and labels
from Southern and Eastern Europe were particularly in evidence. For
Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Scotland and Slovenia this was
their first appearance at the show. As the first non-European nation
to be Popkomm's partner country Brazil had even booked an entire hall.
70 per cent of all the exhibitors were from abroad, and the
increasingly international dimension of the fair was reflected by the
showcases and at the congress.
In order to be able to cope with the anticipated rush in demand at
Popkomm 2007, the fair management has already drawn up a new hall
concept which will be ideal for providing the growing number of
exhibitors from around the world with additional space.
Dr. Ralf Kleinhenz, Managing Director of Popkomm GmbH: "Once again
there were over 15,000 participants at this year's Popkomm. While in
absolute terms the number of people attending Berlin's third Popkomm
has remained stable, the time spent at the fair by trade visitors has
risen significantly. That is an indicator of the many meetings that
took place, and demonstrates the highly professional nature of the
event."
Katja Bittner, Director of Popkomm: "Already on the second evening
the number of visitors attending the Popkomm Festival was on course
for a record. The 30 official festival clubs were packed. And all over
the city there were more parties during this week than usual.
Remarkably, during Popkomm the number of corporate events in Berlin
rose significantly as well."
This year's Popkomm IMEA, the award that recognises innovations in
music and entertainment, went to companies from the UK and the USA. In
the "Digital Music & Marketing Innovations, B2B Solutions" category
the Popkomm IMEA went to the US company Royalty Share and in the
"Mobile Music & Entertainment" category the award was presented to
Unique Interactive from London. Play Music Magazine from Norway
received special praise for their outstanding project work in this
category. This was the first year that this coveted award was
presented at E-Werk at the European Music & Media Night (EMMN).
Popkomm 2006 also provided a forum for jazz and classical music.
Over 50 exhibitors representing classical music had stands in the
Classic Lounge in Hall 18.
The congress and festival draw a positive conclusion
Once again Popkomm retained its successful threefold concept
comprising a trade fair, congress and festival. The three-day Popkomm
congress focused on issues which dealt with the music industry as a
part of the creative industries sector. In their keynote addresses,
speakers including Brazil's Minister for Culture Gilberto Gil and the
musician Feargal Sharkey talked about the economic and socio-cultural
contribution of the creative industries to economies as a whole.
There is now heightened political interest in Popkomm. Members of
German parliament from a cross-section of political parties and
ministerial representatives came to this international industry event
to find out information for themselves. During his tour of the fair
State Minister for Culture Bernd Neumann stressed the following: "I
see myself as an advocate of artists and the creative industries." In
his view pop music was a sector that nobody should underestimate.
The complex question of copyright was also a hotly debated issue.
Legal music downloads were on the increase, but the battle against
piracy had not yet been won. At panel discussions and in private
conversation opinion was unanimous that increasing consumer awareness
was an important task that the industry had to take on in the future.
During the festival over 2,000 performers from around the world
appeared at 30 clubs, making Popkomm the world's largest platform for
professional showcases.
The next Popkomm takes place in Berlin from 19 to 21 September
2007.
