Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its second annual application-only networking and professional development summit, THE HUBB, designed to provide diverse internship- and career-ready college students with the tools and resources needed to successfully enter the music business. The event played host to 30 students from 26 universities, including Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Miami University, Morehouse College, Purdue University, Spelman College, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Georgia, and Villanova University, among others, at CAA’s Nashville office on Sunday, Sept. 8 and Monday, Sept. 9.
THE HUBB participants had the opportunity to learn from and meet with key executives representing a variety of sectors within the industry, including label operations, business management, A&R, publishing, marketing, artist management, touring, and live production. Recruiters also led workshops, providing attendees with insights into the tools and skills needed in today’s job market.
Among the participating industry leaders were special guests Little Big Town, CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville Mike Dungan; EVP of Universal Music Group Radio Promotion Royce Risser; CAA Nashville Co-Founder John Huie; CAA Agents Sabrina Butera, Katie Germano, Lindsey Myers, Joe Harris, and Meredith Jones; CEO of Tri-Star Entertainment Lou Taylor; Executive Director at IEBA Pam Matthews; Nashville Head of A&R, Prescription Songs Katie Fagan; Apple Music – Country Music Programming & Editorial Madison Hanten; Loeb & Loeb Associate Farrah Usmani; Safford Motley’s Scott Safford; Earth, Wind, & Fire Tour Accountant David Norman; and the event’s namesake, Barbara “Mother” Hubbard.
Hubb participants visited Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group for a session with CEO Lou Taylorand team. Tri Star returned as aPremiere Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“At CAA, we have always believed that growing and developing the next generation of diverse leaders can only positively impact all workplaces,” Rob Light, Managing Partner and Head of CAA Music said. “We’re proud of the amazing doors THE HUBB conference has helped open for students in order to be successful in the music industry and beyond.”
A leader in the promotion of inclusion, CAA has long focused on the issue of diversity, and implemented short- and long-term strategies to ensure a more equitable and robust workplace and create sustainable change, within the agency and beyond.
For more than a decade, CAA has recruited at top-tier colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and women’s colleges, resulting in a significant change to the pipeline of entry-level staff hired at the agency, as well as those whose positions translate into jobs across the industry. The agency has also forged partnerships with national organizations developing current college students from diverse backgrounds to provide greater access to careers across the entertainment industry. Building on the success of these collaborations, the agency launched THE HUBB in 2018, offering diverse internship and career-ready college students an opportunity to gain insights and establish relationships needed to build a career in the music industry.
Several 2018 alumni of THE HUBB are currently full-time employees at top music companies, including CAA, Universal Music Group, and Spotify, among others.
Universal Music Group Nashville’s Executive VP of Radio Promotion Royce Risser conversing with students after their informative session. UMG Nashville returned as a Supporting Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“Not only did THE HUBB introduce me to a wide variety of music industry professionals, but it also helped me forge relationships with other students who are just as curious and eager to learn as I am,” said Brooke Baumgartner, Executive Assistant at Spotify & HUBB Alumna. “THE HUBB expanded my knowledge of the music industry in a way that the classroom couldn’t and allowed me to hear firsthand all of the paths I can take as I navigate my journey as a music professional. My industry skillset and overall confidence skyrocketed following the conference, allowing me to share my unique experiences and insights with prospective employers during my job search.”
Delta Air Lines was the Official Airline Partner for the event, with IEBA and Tristar Sports & Entertainment Group, as well as Universal Music Group and Prescription Songs, serving as Premiere and Supporting Partners, respectively. Additional sponsors included AEG, Babco Entertainment, Bridgestone Arena, City National Bank, Corner Partnerships, Essential Broadcast Media, Event Resources, Fusion Management, Graduate Hotel, Hemphill Brothers, How To Concerts, Loeb & Loeb, Lyft, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, More Music Group, Morris Higham Management, mtheory Nashville, Neste Event Marketing, Premier Global Production, Pretty Polly Productions, Rams Head Live, Safford Motley, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Topgolf, Cambria Hotel, Triple 8 Management, Warner Chappell, and Well Dunn Foundation, among others.
