TORONTO – With cool new ring tones and downloadable music to some of its new phones, it only makes sense for Rogers Wireless to come on board as the title sponsor of Canadian Music Week.
CMW will take place March 1st-4th, 2006 in Toronto and is now in its 24th year. And, it’s now called Rogers Wireless Canadian Music Week Festival.
It happens in 30 downtown Toronto venues, and is a once-in-a-year opportunity for artists to get their music in front of over 3,000 movers and shakers in the industry, from record companies to radio executives and PDs.
Applications are currently pouring in from across the country, with artists competing to be one of the 450 performers in the Festival. The Sins, a Montreal-based rock group who have been playing together for 2 years, have already secured their showcase spot. Aspiring artists have until October 31st to apply for the remaining spots in the Festival’s showcase.
"We are truly excited to be a part of Rogers Wireless Canadian Music Week because we understand how important music is to our customers," says John Boynton, chief marketing officer, Rogers Wireless. "Being title sponsor… enables Rogers Wireless not only to provide our customers with access to the incredible artists, both homegrown and international, who will be showcased during the Festival, but also to continue to demonstrate our support for the music industry through the conference, trade show and awards presentations that make up Rogers Wireless Canadian Music Week."
"The focus of the Festival has always been to give up-and-coming artists a chance to strut their stuff in front of the ‘who’s who’ of the Canadian and international music industries," added Neill Dixon, president of CMW. "This is the one time per year when all of the key players congregate to rub shoulders and do business. There is no other opportunity for artists to access so many influential people in one place. For new artists, Rogers Wireless Canadian Music Week can be their big break."
All applicants for the Rogers Wireless Canadian Music Week Festival will receive a delegate pass (valued at $225 per person) to the Tune Up Conference which is designed specifically for artists starting out in the business. In addition, each applicant will receive a one-year subscription to Canadian Musician magazine, courtesy of Norris-Whitney Communications. Festival wristbands for admission to the events will go on sale in early 2006.
