From left: Shachar Oren, President, GMP | Sherri McConnell, Director, US Business Development, Sound Diplomacy | Chairman Robb Pitts, Board of Fulton County Commissioners | Nick Chahwala, Owner, Bravo Ocean Studio
ATLANTA, GA July 25, 2019 — Georgia Music Partners (GMP), in partnership with Fulton County and Sound Diplomacy, announced today the launch of a six-month comprehensive study of recording studios, rehearsal spaces, music venues and music festivals in Fulton County. This ground-breaking initiative aims to map related business across the county and assess their economic impact.
To lead this work, Georgia Music Partners and Fulton County have engaged music policy consultancy Sound Diplomacy, a global expert in developing music strategies for cities, regions, and countries. Sound Diplomacy will manage the entire process, which will ultimately deliver both an ecological assessment of recording in the County and an economic impact report on the music industry in Fulton.
Georgia Music Partners has been advocating on behalf of Georgia’s robust music industry for nearly ten years. To remain competitive, attract investment, and create job growth in the music sector, GMP forged a relationship with Sound Diplomacy several years ago.
“GMP is delighted to engage with Sound Diplomacy and Fulton County in this study,” said Shachar Oren, President of GMP. “Our work with Sound Diplomacy will help dig deeper and wider into data and surface information in an insightful and actionable way for Fulton County. We look forward to the work and the findings it will lead to and how it will impact the bigger vision of music in Georgia.”
A critical piece of the study will be direct engagement with stakeholders in the music industry in Fulton County. Their feedback will combine with Sound Diplomacy’s research to develop a rich picture of the assets in this vertical of the county’s robust music ecosystem.
“Music and culture are a big deal in Fulton County. Our music industry creates jobs and attracts businesses, tourism, and investment dollars,” added Chairman Robb Pitts, Board of Fulton County Commissioners. “This work with Sound Diplomacy and GMP will tell the story of our music economy so we can sustain and grow this industry in the future.”
Work begins on the study this week, with a tentative delivery date of the study set for January 2020. Sound Diplomacy will regularly share updates on the progress of the study on its website.
“We’re thrilled to be starting this work to map the music ecosystem in Fulton County and determine its economic impact with such an impressive group of cities residing within Fulton County, spearheaded by Atlanta. Music is one of Fulton County and the region’s largest exports. And we know once it’s fully quantified, the support will continue to grow across Greater Atlanta and Georgia as a whole,” said Shain Shapiro, Founder & CEO, Sound Diplomacy.
The partnership was announced via press conference earlier today at Bravo Ocean Studios in Fulton County. For more information, interviews, or photos from the event, contact 360 Media (tara@360media.net).
About Georgia Music Partners
Georgia Music Partners is a not-for-profit organization founded with the mission to help Georgia’s music industry grow to promote job growth and culture in the state of Georgia. Georgia Music Partners managed to pass the Georgia Music Investment Act in 2017, which then went into effect in January 2018 and creates a new tax incentive for music production in Georgia. GMP is currently working to pass House Bill 347 to further their overall mission. Visit www.georgiamusicpartners.org to learn more about GMP and HB-347.
About Fulton County
Fulton County is Georgia’s largest county and is home to more than a million residents living in 15 cities. Fulton County serves as Georgia’s hub for culture, education, jobs and business opportunity. Select Fulton serves as Fulton County’s growth and economic development agency. Learn more at www.fultoncountyga.gov or @FultonInfo.
About Sound Diplomacy
Sound Diplomacy is the leading global advisor on music cities strategies and market development. As strategists for cities, developers, large private sector organizations and governments, Sound Diplomacy provides cutting edge research and market expertise in placing music and music business strategy in city, urban and development plans. They work in over 40 countries and with over 100 clients, spanning public, private and third sectors, such as the Greater London Authority (UK), the cities of Vancouver, Huntsville (Alabama), New Orleans (Louisiana), San Francisco (California), Brisbane (AUS), Cardiff (UK), the regions of Northwest Arkansas (Arkansas) and The Shoals (Alabama), and organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Media Contact: Tara Murphy | 360 Media, Inc. – 404-577-8868 or info@360media.net
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