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AGENDA
May 8, 2026
Virgin Hotels, NYC
The Loft
A sector-by-sector analysis of key music business verticals highlighting the benefits of investment in global, exchange-listed companies, exchange-traded funds and royalty trusts with a core focus on the global music industry and music technology.
9:00am
Sector One: Streaming
The Streaming Multiplier: Podcasts, AI & Global Demand
While U.S. growth is moderating, global music streaming continues to scale, with revenues projected to nearly double by 2030. We examine how this growth is driven by emerging-market subscriptions, new audio formats including podcasts and AI, and stronger artist protections reshaping value across the ecosystem.
Moderator: Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Billboard
Elizabeth Dilts Marshall | Senior Finance Correspondent | Billboard |
10:00am
Keynote Conversation
Join Warner Music Group Chief Executive Officer Robert Kyncl, a visionary executive and catalyst for innovation, and EVP & Global Head of Strategy Lisa Yang, leading WMG’s long-term growth and digital initiatives, for a conversation with CNBC anchor Jon Fortt. Lisa and Jon will participate in person at the Virgin and Robert will join via Zoom.
Inteviewer: Jon Fortt, Anchor, CNBC
Robert Kyncl | CEO | Warner Music Group | |
Lisa Yang | EVP, Global Head of Strategy | Warner Music Group | |
Jon Fortt | Anchor | CNBC |
11:00am
Sector Two: Content
Music Rights as an Asset Class
Global music revenues are projected to exceed $200B by 2030, fueled by growth in recorded music, publishing, live entertainment, and AI-enabled efficiencies. This session examines how content owners are scaling value, protecting IP, and driving long-term returns across an expanding global market.
Moderator: Larry Miller, NYU Steinhardt & Sony Audio Institute
Josh Gruss | Founder & CEO | Round Hill Music | |
Larry Miller | Clinical Professor, Music Business Program, NYU Steinhardt & Executive Director | Sony Audio Institute | |
Natalia Nastaskin | Partner and Chief Content Officer | Primary Wave Music | |
Steve Salm | Chief Business Development Executive | Concord | |
Cameron Smalls | Managing Director | Morgan Stanley |
1:00pm
Sector Three: Distribution, Consumption & Data
Where the Data Leads: Forecasting the Future of Music Demand
This session looks at cross-platform behavior, trends and forward-looking forecasting, exploring how distribution models are evolving and where scale and margin are being created in the areas of music discovery, streaming subscription growth, live demand, IP supply strategy etc. We'll address how investors can position portfolios to benefit from the industry’s next phase of growth.
Moderator, Rob Jonas, Luminate
David Dunn | Founding Member & Managing Partner | Shot Tower Capital LLC | |
Jihane Hassad | Director | Crayhill Capital Management | |
CJ Johnson | Head of Entertainment Investment Banking | Truist Securities | |
Rob Jonas | CEO | Luminate | |
Brian Richards | Founder & Managing Partner | Artisan |
2:00pm
Sector Four: Global Markets
Mapping the Worldwide Music Economy
As global streaming continues to mature, compelling growth stories are emerging outside the U.S., and music companies are scaling catalogs, platforms, and artist pipelines that power worldwide demand. This session explores where international music innovation meets capital markets — and where the next outsized returns may be built.
Moderator, Bernie Cho, DFSB Kollective
Michael Bizenov | Managing Partner & President | Sound Royalties | |
Bernie Cho | President/Founder | DFSB Kollective
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Chee Meng Tan | Founder & CEO | blackx | |
Lior Tibon | CEO & Co-Founder | Duetti |
3:00pm
Sector Five: IP Valuation
Pricing the Catalog: How Music Asset Valuation Is Evolving
As global capital continues to flow into music rights, the frameworks used to value these assets are rapidly evolving. What once appeared to be a straightforward yield play has grown more nuanced, shaped by shifting revenue mixes, macroeconomic pressures, and expanding interest in indie and genre-specific IP. This session examines how valuation perspectives have changed since the post-pandemic acquisition boom—and how advisors and dealmakers are redefining price, structure, and expectations in today’s market.
Barry Massarsky | Partner | Citrin Cooperman | |
Michael Poster | Chair of Music Acquisitions & Financing and Partner | Michelman Robinson |
4:00pm
Sector Six: AI & Tech
AI and Music: Revolution, Regulation, and the Fight for Rights
AI is reshaping how music is created, discovered, monetized, and managed—from production and personalization to rights protection and revenue tracking. As rights-holders and AI platforms strive to structure relationships, we explore regulatory, commercial, and investment implications across the evolving MusicTech landscape.
Seth Goldstein | General Counsel & VP, Business & Legal Affairs | Music.AI | |
Adrian Perry | Partner, Co-Chair of Music Industry Practice | Covington & Burling LLP |
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