BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus: Bruce Tweedie

Organisation: Music Mill, Managing Director

How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? Very unusual trajectory. I actually come from the IT industry. A mate of mine (Tim Bradshaw) needed business advice, and one thing led to another. Now 16 years later and it's my full-time business.

What's been the biggest change in the music business you've seen over the past 12 months? Not much, how about 12 years? Sync licensing has become way more complex, mostly because of all the media options available these days.

What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? The same as usual - how to make money when there is so little reward for chart success.

What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? I guess I could suggest becoming a banker instead. But if you want to be an artist then be persistent, and find out how the business side works.

What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference? The evolution of music activations in advertising. I'm fascinated by the history of this niche area, particularly how things have changed so much, and yet in many ways they are still fundamentally the same.

What are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel/interview? That music for advertising is a legitimate artform that's here to stay, and that it's a great revenue stream for artists and the industry.

What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? Meeting lots of interesting people. Cross fertilisation is a wonderful thing.

Which acts are you most looking forward to checking out at BIGSOUND? So many bands, so little time. I'll be asking everyone who I should see.

When and where is your panel/interview? 9 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre, 12.15pm.