Whether you're a seasoned industry veteran or just starting your journey, "Meet the Managers" is a must-attend event for all music managers at SXSW.

This gathering offers a unique opportunity to network, delve into pressing topics impacting your profession, and engage with managers from around the world.

Hosted by the Music Managers Forum-US (MMF-US), the leading trade association for music managers in the US and a proud member of the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF) global network, which includes sixty-five Music Manager Forums across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

MMF-US Executives and Board Members will be present at the event, ready to discuss our latest developments, membership, advocacy efforts, and future initiatives. Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and collaborate with your peers in artist management from around the world.

"Meet the Managers," a crucial gathering for music managers worldwide attending SXSW. We look forward to seeing you there!

More Info HERE

New Colossus Festival and Music Managers Forum-US (MMF-US) are teaming up to celebrate the festival's opening night with a mixer at Piano’s (158 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002) on Tuesday, March 4 from 5–7 PM. Join us for an evening of music, networking, and fun as we kick off the festival! This 21+ event includes a cash bar and food for purchase, with Happy Hour drink rates available until 8 PM. A badge or $20 cover is required for re-entry after 8 PM.

Taking place March 4-9, 2025, across eleven independent venues in NYC’s Lower East Side, New Colossus Festival showcases over 200 emerging artists from around the world and features the Colossal Conversations music conference and networking event.

Festival Badges provide priority access to shows, panels, and parties. The Pro Delegate Badge offers additional perks, including exclusive networking mixers, a delegate database, co-founder mentoring on U.S. touring, a welcome party, festival merch, and local discounts.

MMF-US members receive 20% off General Admission and Pro Delegate Badges. Discount codes are available in the MMF-US Member Portal.

RSVP HERE

Join us for an evening of networking and fun at New Heights Brewing (928 Rep John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203, MAP) on Tuesday, February 25th, from 6–9 PM CST! This in-person event brings together MMF-US and Women in Music Nashville Chapters for a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and share with fellow music industry professionals. Don’t miss this chance to expand your network in a great atmosphere. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable event!

Please note: This is an all ages event with a cash bar.

RSVP HERE

Berklee Management Club and MMF-US Boston are excited to present an in-person panel event on Thursday, February 6th, from 6:00-8:00 PM EST at Berklee College of Music (1140 Boylston Street, Steve Heck Room, Boston, MA 02215).

Discover the intricacies and nuances of an independent artist's career through the perspective of experienced managers. This engaging discussion will feature a distinguished panel of artist managers, including Sadiq Ervin, Rob Kelley-Morgan, Sharlea Brookes-Keyes, and Ikenna Ndugba, with moderation by Stax Teixeira.

Please note: The in-person event is already at capacity. However, anyone who wishes to watch remotely can do so via the YouTube livestream at the link below.

YouTube Link HERE

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we come together to celebrate music’s biggest night while supporting a meaningful cause. 

Sunday February 2nd, at 7pm (doors at 6:30pm) at The Stand ( 116 E 16th St, New York, NY 10003, MAP). 

The event will be hosted by comedian Matt Friend.


All proceeds will benefit the SONA Foundation's Songwriter Fund – dedicated to providing financial aid to songwriters and composers financially impacted by the 2025 Palisades, Eaton, and related L.A.-area fires.

Donate directly to the SONA Songwriters Fund HERE

We hope this message finds you safe and well during this challenging time.  Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the ongoing LA wildfires, which continue to impact our community.

After thoughtful discussions with members of our LA Chapter, we have decided to move forward with our event on Tuesday, January 28th, from 6 to 8pm, at Desert 5 Spot. Originally planned as our Annual MMF-US Grammy Week Party, this event will now serve as a Wildfire Relief Fundraiser, with 100% of the donations supporting MusiCares.

The feedback from our members was clear: they expressed a strong desire to come together and support one another. Building and fostering community is a core pillar of our organization, and we are honored to create a space where our members and community can unite for a meaningful cause.

Suggested Donation: $20. The event is free to attend, but we suggest a donation of $20, or whatever you can afford!

RSVP Reminder: Space is limited. If you've already RSVP'd but are unable to attend, please let us know at team@mmfus.com so we can accommodate others.

Attendees will receive a welcome drink ticket (while supplies last!).

If you are unable to join us in person but would still like to support, donations can be made directly to MusiCares Fire Relief Resources using this LINK. Every donation makes a difference and helps those who have lost their homes and personal belongings.

The road to recovery may be long, but together, we can make a difference. Thank you for standing with us and supporting those in need during this difficult time. Our LA Chapter leadership looks forward to seeing you there!  

When: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 6:00-8:00pm (PST)

Where: 6516 Selma Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Photo Gallery HERE

2112, MMF-US, and the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship are coming together to celebrate the holidays! Join us Thursday, December 19th for an evening of food, drinks, music, and mingling. Festive attire encouraged. RSVP is required.

When: Thursday, December 19, 2024 | 5:00-9:00pm (CST)

Where: 2112, 4245 North Knox Avenue Chicago, IL 60641 (MAP)

Photo Gallery HERE

MMF-US members are invited to an evening of music, mingling, and festive fun at TuneCore’s Brooklyn offices! Connect with members of the MMF-US National Board, the NY Chapter, and TuneCore executives as we celebrate the season together. Special thanks to TuneCore for hosting this exclusive gathering!

This is an exclusive event for MMF-US members. RSVP is required.

When: Tuesday, December 17th, 2024 | 5:00–7:00 PM (EST)

Where: TuneCore, 45 Main Street, Suite 720 (7th Floor), Brooklyn, NY 11201

Parking: Valet parking is available to the right of the building entrance on 45 Main Street, or a self-park garage is nearby at 37 Front Street (~$30). We recommend using Uber or Lyft for convenience.

Photo Gallery HERE

A2IM and MMF-US members are invited to join us at The Gold Line Bar (5607 N Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042) for an evening of mingling, music, and holiday cheer! Connect with fellow indie heads, artist managers, and colleagues as we celebrate the season together. Special thanks to Stones Throw Records for hosting this festive gathering!

When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (PST)

Note: This is an exclusive event for A2IM and MMF-US members. RSVP is required.

RSVP HERE

Connect with managers, self-managed artists, and music industry professionals from across North America at this online event, co-hosted by MMF Canada, MMF-US, and MMF Mexico, taking place on Tuesday, December 3rd, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM EST.

The event will begin with a short presentation titled “Taking Control: How to Protect Your Music in the Age of AI”, featuring:

• Tamay Aykut, Founder & CEO, Sureel AI

• Aileen Crowley, Co-President, Sureel AI & Partner, Lark42

• Benji Rogers, Co-President, Sureel AI & Partner, Lark42

The presentation will explore how creators can turn AI from a threat into an opportunity, offering actionable insights to protect, control, and monetize their work.

After the presentation, attendees will have dedicated networking time to connect with the speakers and other participants.

This event will take place on the virtual conference platform Remo. Registration includes detailed instructions for joining, and additional reminders will be sent via email. To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend testing your equipment in advance using the provided instructions.

This free event is open to artist managers, self-managed artists, and music industry professionals seeking to expand their networks and deepen their understanding of AI. Non-members are welcome!

REGISTER HERE

Join us for an unforgettable day of keynotes, panels, presentations, and networking on Monday, October 21st at Spotify’s Los Angeles office. Our summit offers unique opportunities to connect with music industry professionals, share insights, and learn from the best in the business. Whether you're an artist manager, self-managed artist, or industry professional, this event is for YOU! We look forward to seeing you there!

We will be revealing keynotes, speakers, panels, and our schedule with you over the next couple of weeks.

REGISTER HERE

Join the Chicago Chapters of the Music Managers Forum-US, Women In Music and the The Recording Academy for a panel of experts who will provide strategies, tools and advice to help indie artists thrive, not just survive. The panel includes Chris Minto (Independent Artist Manager & Creative Producer), Lily Shallow (Chapter Chair, Women In Music, Chicago), MOYANA - (Independent Artist, Songwriter, Producer, Instrumentalist) and will be moderated by Brian Rosenblatt (Partner, Downey & Lenkov LLC). Join us for a networking mixer after the panel. Please note that this event is FREE and open to MMF-US, WIM, and The Recording Academy members as well as non-members. However, space is limited, and entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Join us for another episode in our ongoing series with Music Ally on Thursday, October 10th at 1pm ET/10am PT. Music Ally is a trusted global insights company in the music industry, specializing in innovation. Their Sandbox reports provide in-depth analyses of music marketing trends.

In this session, Music Ally will discuss key takeaways and useful industry case studies from their recent Sandbox report on "Short Form Video in 2024". Short-form video has transformed music marketing, requiring careful planning, flexibility, and targeted strategies. This guide offers expert insights from industry leaders and actionable steps to effectively integrate short-form content into your strategy.

Join us for a webinar led by Marlen Hüllbrock, Director of Marketing & Strategy at Music Ally. As a digital expert, she keeps abreast of trends and evolving strategies within music marketing and the wider industry. Her team creates resources and tools for artist teams to more effectively use digital strategies to their advantage and helps run artist marketing campaigns. She has trained a wide range of industry professionals on digital strategy including majors, indies, managers, and music tech companies.

Joining Marlen as guest speakers are Liam James Ward, Co-Founder of the music-based content strategy studio Something Something, and Alex Falck, Head of Commercial at Creed Media. Liam and the Something Something team have developed social media strategies, digital channel management, and content production for artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Billie Eilish, The Hives, Disclosure, and Sam Fender, among others. Recently, they have also worked with cultural brands like Google, Meta, Axel Arigato, Soho House, and LadBible to connect with hardcore music audiences. With a background in playlist management, A&R, and digital strategy, Liam is a seasoned music industry professional with expertise in understanding fan bases and growing engagement through creative online storytelling.

Alex brings over five years of experience leading partnerships and strategy at Creed Media, where he has pioneered innovative social campaigns on short-form platforms and fostered groundbreaking collaborations within the music industry.

Join Music Managers Forum and Women In Music as we explore the evolving role of an artist manager in 2024 and into the future. After the panel, join us for networking with leaders of the new MMF Boston Chapter and Women In Music’s Northeastern and Boston Chapters.

Known most prominently for hosting the GRAMMY Awards, the Recording Academy is widely recognized as the world’s leading society of music professionals, but what is the organization up to the other 364 days of the year? How can Recording Academy membership benefit your career? Join Membership Manager, Leah Dowdy, to learn about membership benefits, the application process, and the Recording Academy’s mission to advocate, educate, celebrate, and serve the music community. 

Leah Dowdy is a lifelong music lover and Membership Manager at the Recording Academy, home of the prestigious GRAMMY Awards. She oversees the Musical Theater and Classical genres internationally and works diligently to ensure that each membership class reflects the diversity of the music community as a whole. This process includes recruiting prospective members from a wide variety of disciplines, demystifying the application process, and amplifying the Recording Academy's overall mission to advocate, educate, celebrate, and serve. 

Get ready for an unforgettable all-day, in-person event at The MLC's offices on Thursday, September 12th. MMF-US Summit events offer unique, curated opportunities to connect with music industry professionals, share insights, and learn from the best in the business. The day's program will feature keynote speakers, panels, presentations on various topics, and networking opportunities. Whether you're an artist manager, self-managed artist, or music industry professional at large, this FREE event is essential for you to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

We will be revealing keynotes, speakers, panels, and our schedule with you over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, you can review our recent MMF-US NY Summit schedule HERE to get an idea of what to expect.

Join Pro-Members from Recording Artists and Musicians with Disabilities (RAMPD) for some real talk about neurodivergence and disability in music management. As well as how we, as managers can empower our community to amplify disabled voices, visibility, representation, and access across the music industry. ASL translation and captions are provided for this event. Featuring Arthur Gwynne, Jai Yoko, Grim, and Shelly Hartman.

Join us for an unforgettable day of keynotes, panels, presentations, and networking at Reed Smith's Manhattan offices. Our summit offers unique opportunities to connect with music industry professionals, share insights, and learn from the best in the business. Whether you're an artist manager, self-managed artist, or industry professional, this event is for you. We look forward to seeing you there!

The following panels and presentations are already confirmed with more to follow:

GRAMMY 101 Presentation: The New York Chapter of the Recording Academy

Music Votes Coalition: A 3 Step Plan To Solve Voting & More: #iVotedConcerts, HeadCount, Grounded, and Music Sustainability Alliance

NY Music Month Presentation: The New York Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

Empowering Independent Musicians: Financing, Licensing, and Expert Coaching: The MLC, Sound Royalties, and Adaptive Music

The State of Sync: curated by Sync Summit

MMF-US NY Summit tickets cost $100, however ...

- Existing Members can attend the MMF-US NY Summit for FREE. Log in to the Member Portal for the promo code
- New Members can join the MMF-US and attend the Summit for FREE at a special rate of $25 (normally $49.50) with promo code WELCOMETOMMFUS
- Renewing Members can renew and attend the Summit for FREE at a special rate of $50 (normally $99) with promo code WELCOMEBACK

Join us for this insightful webinar, tailored specifically for music managers and self-managed, independent artists seeking to master the complexities of their own emotional well-being in a challenging industry. Hear from Artist/Entrepreneur, Ace Patterson (Five Mics) and CoMuse Mindful Business Community Founder, LJ Malberg, PCC, as they delve into effective strategies for managing stress, overcoming setbacks, and sustaining motivation, sharing tools needed to not only survive but thrive in the ever-evolving music landscape. It's not to be missed!

Join us for an exciting evening of networking and fun at the Desert 5 Spot rooftop bar in the heart of Hollywood. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals in the music industry. Whether you're an artist manager, a self-managed artist, or a music industry professional this mixer is the place to be. Our quarterly Meetup events are where our community has the opportunity to learn, share, and connect with one another. Don't miss out on this amazing chance to expand your professional network and have a great time doing it. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable night at the MMF-US LA Summer Mixer Networking Event! Please note that this is a 21+ event.

Join us for the first webinar in an ongoing series with Music Ally on Thursday, May 30th at 1pm ET/10am PT. Music Ally is a trusted global insights company in the music industry, specializing in innovation. Their Sandbox reports provide in-depth analyses of music marketing trends.

In this session, Music Ally will discuss key takeaways and useful industry case studies from their recent Sandbox report on "Marketing to Superfans". Superfandom marks a resurgence in fan-club and street- team thinking: so how do you nurture superfans and help them become their favourite artist’s biggest cheerleader? 

Join us for a webinar led by Marlen Hüllbrock, Head of Marketing & Audience at Music Ally. As a digital expert, she keeps abreast of trends and evolving strategies within music marketing and the wider industry. Her team creates resources and tools for artist teams to more effectively use digital strategies to their advantage and helps run artist marketing campaigns. She has trained a wide range of industry professionals on digital strategy including majors, indies, managers, and music tech companies.

We are also pleased to have Will Tompsett and Ryan Star join us. Will is the Worldwide Head of Marketing at 4AD and started at the label in a social media role in 2013. After seven and a half years working from the London office, he moved to New York in 2021 and has led creative efforts for artists including The National, Grimes, Big Thief, Future Islands, and The Breeders.

Ryan Star, CEO & Co-Founder at STATIONHEAD, has decades of experience in the music industry as a rock frontman with chart-topping hits. His experience building a global fanbase inspired by Stationhead and provides the competitive edge that drives the product & business success.

The NY Chapter of the Music Managers Forum - US (MMF-US NY), Association of Independent Music Publishers NY Young Professionals Committee (AIMP NY YPC), and the Women in Music NYU Chapter (WIM NYU) have joined forces to co-host a Young Professionals Mixer event. Join us for a fun evening of networking at Kensaltown East on Tuesday, April 16th, 6:00-8:00pm ET. This in-person gathering provides the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded young professionals in the music industry, including artist managers, self managed artists, music publishers and the next generation of music industry leaders from NYU. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to expand your professional network and have a great time doing it. Please note that this is an all ages event, but registration is required due to limited space. Mark your calendars for the MMF-US NY x AIMP NY YPC x WIM NYU: Young Professionals Mixer, and we look forward to seeing you there!

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Join us for a fun evening of networking and fun at Park & Field. This in-person event provides the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals in the music industry. Whether you're an artist manager, self managed artist or a music industry professional this mixer is the place to be. Our quarterly networking events offer our community the opportunity to learn, share and connect with one another. Don't miss out on this amazing chance to expand your professional network and have a great time doing it. Mark your calendars for the MMF-US Chicago Chapter Spring Mixer!

Please note that this is a 21+ event and cash bar.

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If you're in Austin next week for SXSW, please join the Music Managers Forum-US, in partnership with the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF) for the Managers Brunch event on Thursday, March 14th, 9:00-11:00am CST, at Australia House at Lucille's. 77 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701 (MAP). Join us for breakfast, great coffee (courtesy of the Blue Stone Coffee pop up café), and networking with music managers and self-managed artists from across the nation and around the world. MMF-US Executives and Board Members will be at the event and available to discuss our latest developments, advocacy efforts and future initiatives. Australia House at Lucille's is the place to be, providing the perfect backdrop for connecting with industry peers and meeting like-minded professionals in the music industry. Seize this opportunity to learn, share insights, expand your professional network while having a blast! Mark your calendars for the Managers Brunch. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Join us for an exciting evening of networking and fun at Heaven Can Wait in the East Village on Tuesday, March 5th, 6-8pm EST! This in-person event provides the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals in the music industry. Whether you're an artist manager, self managed artist or a music industry professional this mixer is the place to be. MMF Canada will also be attending this event with delegates from their Export Mission to NYC. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our guests from MMF Canada, making them feel at home in our city!

Our quarterly networking events offer our community the opportunity to learn, share and connect with one another. Don't miss out on this amazing chance to expand your professional network and have a great time doing it. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable night at the MMF-US NY Chapter Winter Mixer! All attendees are welcome to stay for the live show taking place at 8pm after our event.

Please note that this is a 21+ event and cash bar.

The Recording Academy represents a diversity of music makers and professionals. Our membership focuses on service, advocacy and recognition of the art and craft of music. We invite you to learn about areas of engagement, the membership process and how to submit for membership consideration for the Class of 2024.

Join us for a webinar led by Maurice Kalous - Senior Membership Manager. A 15-year veteran of the Recording Academy, Maurice Kalous has extensive knowledge of the membership process. His focus is on outreach within the Alternative, Rock, Spoken Word, and Children’s Music communities also while supporting membership efforts for the Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Chapters. During his time with the organization he has assisted in onboarding artists and professionals from all areas of the recording industry. His goal is to create a diverse, knowledgeable, and actively engaged membership at the Recording Academy.

Our annual networking event during Grammy Week is on Tuesday, January 30th, 6-8pm!

Meet artist managers, self managed artists and music industry professionals for an evening of networking at the Desert 5 Spot rooftop bar located within the Tommie Hollywood hotel. MMF-US Executives and Board Members will be at the event and available to discuss our latest developments, advocacy efforts and future initiatives. The Desert 5 Spot is the place to be, providing the perfect backdrop for connecting with industry peers and meeting like-minded professionals in the music industry. Seize this opportunity to learn, share insights, expand your professional network while having a blast! Mark your calendars for the MMF-US Annual Grammy Week Party and come prepared for a night of camaraderie. We look forward to seeing you there!
 

Please note that this is a 21+ event, cash bar, with food options available.

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Join us at our inaugural MMF-US Boston Summit!

Get ready for an unforgettable all day, in-person event at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA on Saturday, December 2nd. This summit will include the following keynote speaker, presentations and panels on various topics and networking opportunities:

• GRAMMY 101 Presentation: NY Chapter of the Recording Academy

• Know Your Rights: Managing Your Music Licensing Portfolio: panel featuring Association of Independent Music Publishers/AIMP & Songwriters of North America/SONA

• Keynote Interview: Mark Kates (Fenway Recordings)

• A Manager Masterclass: panel moderated by Nicole Barsalona: President of Women In Music

• The State of Sync: panel moderated by Mark Frieser: CEO & Founder of Sync Summit

This event is a unique opportunity to connect with music industry professionals, share insights, and learn from the best in the business. Whether you're an artist manager, self managed artist, and music industry professional at large, this event is FREE for you to attend! We look forward to seeing you there!

SCHEDULE

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MMF Connect: North America
AI Discussion Panel and Virtual Networking

Catch up with your colleagues, and make new connections from across North America at this virtual networking event, hosted by MMF Canada, MMF-US, and MMF Mexico.  

Kicking off the session, we will have a dynamic online discussion about AI with the Water & Music team, as they share their findings and ideas about what is coming next for the music industry ecosystem.

Water & Music writes: "Creative AI may be the most disruptive technology for the music business since the Napster era of piracy, forcing us to rethink traditional industry notions of creativity, ownership, attribution, and skill development in real time.

We are studying how creative AI impacts every step of the industry life cycle — from the initial steps of creation and ideation, to marketing, communication, distribution, and monetization."

This event is free to attend. MMF Canada, MMF-US and MMF Mexico welcome and encourage the attendance of non-members who would like to learn more about these organizations. 

This event will take place on a virtual conference platform called Remo. You will find instructions for how to access the event in the Online Event Page, and you will also  receive pre-event email reminders with access instructions. 

THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED BY A CONTRIBUTION FROM GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA’S CANEXPORT ASSOCIATIONS PROGRAM.

SPEAKERS: Brodie Conley, Cherie Hu and & Yung Spielburg

Brodie Conley (he/him) Contributor, Water & Music

Brodie Conley is a researcher, project manager, and artist living in Ottawa, ON. He has worked across a variety of areas including artist management (Kelp Management - Andy Shauf; Lido Pimienta), community music initiatives (MEGAPHONO), as well as in program and policy development within government. Currently, he works as a researcher at the Center for Music Ecosystems, and also consults for Water & Music, where he explores the intersections of music and technology.

Brodie is a motivated advocate for Canadian independent music and hopes to continue to support knowledge development for emerging and underserved artists. He is a proud board member for the Ottawa-based independent and underground music presenter Debaser.

Cherie Hu (she/her) FOUNDER,  Water & Music
Cherie Hu is an award-winning researcher, founder, and educator forging new paths in music, technology, and business. She is the founder of Water & Music, a global network for music-tech research and education with thousands of paying supporters and contributors. Previously, she penned hundreds of articles on music and tech as a freelance writer for publications including Billboard, Forbes, Pitchfork and Variety. She has spoken as an expert commentator on CNBC and SiriusXM Volume; as a guest lecturer at institutions like Harvard University, New York University, Northeastern University, and Berklee Valencia; and as a moderator, panelist or keynoter at over 40 conferences around the world.

Yung Spielburg (he/him) Collaborative Research Coordinator, Water & Music

Yung Spielburg is a grammy-award winning producer and songwriter most well known for his work with Japanese multi-hyphenate, MIYAVI. He also works on humanitarian causes, traveling on multiple missions with MIYAVI and the United Nations High Commission of Refugees to play music and raise awareness of the refugee crisis. Other artists he has worked with include Mikky Ekko, Samuel L. Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Simple Plan, The Goo Goo Dolls, Yuna, and Duckwrth. 

Outside of the studio, Yung Spielburg is also a core team member and collaborative research lead of the music and tech research and intelligence network, Water & Music. He has coordinated research for Water & Music's flagship season reports on web3 and the metaverse, respectively. You might know him as the voice of the theme on The All-In Podcast.