IN FOCUS

Episode fifteen sees Karma Bertelsen, Marketing Strategy Director (EMEA) at FUGA, in conversation with Scottish artist and songwriter Nina Nesbitt, exploring what it means to evolve creatively, switch genres, and bring fans along on new musical journeys.

Episode fourteen sees Cabrea Casey, A&R and Sync Marketing Director at Downtown Music Publishing, in conversation with songwriter, recording artist, and producer Madge, exploring how fandom, gaming, and music intersect to create deeply engaged, authentic communities.

Episode thirteen sees Ben Patashnik, Senior Strategy Manager at Downtown, in conversation with Dexter Hubbard, Consultant at Badhead Music and Label Manager at SADCØRE Records, exploring what it truly means to build a sustainable career in music — and why time is one of an artist’s greatest assets.

Episode twelve sees Tim Cronin, Director of Business Development (UK & Ireland) at FUGA, in conversation with Kwabz, Co-Founder and Director of Mixtape Madness, exploring how labels discover, develop, and support artists in an increasingly saturated and fast-moving music landscape.

Episode eleven sees Tim Huang, Director of Audience Strategy at Downtown Music, in conversation with Brian Popowitz, General Manager of Black Box, exploring how music marketing is evolving from pure media spend toward storytelling, intention, and long-term fan development.

Episode ten sees Desiree Vach, General Manager at Downtown in Berlin, in conversation with Björn Meyer, Co-Owner and Managing Director of Odyssey Music Network, exploring the unique role physical music continues to play in Germany’s largely digital-first market.

Episode nine sees Jason Taylor, Vice President of Business Development at Downtown Music Publishing, in conversation with Damon Booth, General Manager of Notable Music Company, exploring how storytelling plays a vital role in keeping legacy catalogs culturally relevant through sync, reinterpretation, and creative collaboration.

Episode eight sees Downtown’s Director of A&R, Jeanette Porcello, in conversation with Nashville-based artist and songwriter Erin Kinsey, exploring how understanding your audience and approaching artistry with a business mindset can empower artists to build sustainable, global careers.

Episode seven sees FUGA’s Director of Business Development (UK & Ireland), Tim Cronin, in conversation with Mixtape Madness co-founder and director, Kwabz, exploring how hip-hop continues to evolve culturally, creatively, and commercially, and why authenticity and community remain at its core.

Episode six sees FUGA’s Senior Marketing Strategy Manager for Classical & Jazz, Amy Nelson, in conversation with Naxos Music Group’s Sales & Label Marketing Manager, Sascha Braunreuther, exploring how classical audiences are evolving, how artists are adapting, and what the wider industry can learn from the genre’s shifting landscape.

Episode five sees Downtown’s Director of Media & Partnerships, Emma Cordell, in conversation with War Child UK’s Music Projects & Events Manager, Feedy Frizzy exploring how artists, labels, and music companies can meaningfully support humanitarian work and build creative, values-driven partnerships.

Episode four sees FUGA’s Senior Marketing Director, Matthew D’Amico, in conversation with Mountain Apple Company’s Digital Marketing Manager, Mike Pooley, as they explore the iconic catalog of the late Hawaiian musician and singer, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole and how to preserve an artist’s legacy with authenticity in a digital-first world.

Episode three looks at the life of a label and welcomes artist and songwriter, Nina Nesbitt in conversation with FUGA’s Marketing Strategy Director, EMEA, Karma Bertelsen as they explore how to start a label from the ground up.

Episode two looks at the theme of Fandom and welcomes Mark Walker, Managing Director at Free Focus in conversation with FUGA’s Marketing Strategy Manager, Rock, Ben Patashnik as they explore how to find your authentic community

Episode one sees Cabrea Casey, Downtown Music Publishing’s Director, Sync and A&R in conversation with artist, songwriter, and producer, Madge, to explore the process of writing for games.

Introducing Downtown Music's IN FOCUS Podcast, launching Monday November 10th 2025Welcome to IN FOCUS, a new online series presented by Downtown, exploring the ideas shaping the future of music and technology.Each episode spotlights a key theme and features short, candid conversations between our team and our clients or partners - deep diving into the questions, trends, and insights driving change across the industry. We share key takeaways from each conversation to help shed light on different areas of the music business and spark new ways of thinking about its future.