Following the success of their 2023 collaborative music business education program, leading global talent agency Wasserman Music and foremost Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Howard University today announced their 2024 Music Business Insights Program, to be held at Howard University's Washington, DC campus beginning today, January 29th.
The 2024 Wasserman Music x Howard University Music Business Insights Program, created to provide guidance, support, and inspiration to students seeking careers in all corners of the music industry, will encompass class takeovers and curriculum contributions for 30-60 participating students who will engage directly with leaders from across the entertainment business. This year's speakers include top execs from Wasserman Music, Live Nation, Atlantic Records, and Roc Nation and award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Cautious Clay.
"We are thrilled to return to Howard University with an incredible new slate of speakers and leaders from across the entertainment industry and the opportunity to empower another group of outstanding students who have the potential to help shape the future of the music business," said Denise Melanson, Senior Director of Social Impact for Wasserman.
This year's program will cover subjects across the full spectrum of the music business, including artist management, tour booking and promotion, music publishing, live event management, marketing, and more, with guest lectures from influential entertainment executives, lively in-class panels with top music business professionals, potential internship placement opportunities at Wasserman, and a "Warner Days Takeover" on-campus event during Howard's annual celebration that spans the breadth of Wasserman's businesses, including sports, music, entertainment, and culture.
This year's roster of guest lecturers and panelists includes:
- Sam Alpert - SVP/Marketing, Wasserman Music
- Jacqueline Alston - Chief of Staff, Broccoli City
- Lee Anderson - EVP & Managing Executive, Wasserman Music
- Callender - Vice President, Wasserman Music
- Cautious Clay - singer/songwriter/producer
- Anthony Cotton - Production Manager, Wasted Potential
- Doug Foley - Account Manager, Artist Services, Seated
- Gavin Ryan - Senior Director, Marketing, Big Beat & Atlantic Records
- Hammond Seay - Wasserman Music
- Jenifer Smith - Head of Urban Tour Marketing, US Concerts, Live Nation
- Lorena Garcia Waheibi - Associate Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy, Roc Nation
"Our experience with Wasserman Music last year was unparalleled -- from the brilliance and creativity of the agents, executives, artists, producers, and agency partners who came to participate each week to the multi-city summer internship that several of our students got to experience at Wasserman," said Prof. Pat Parks, Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of the Theatre Arts Administration Program at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University.
Said De'Anya Bell, Senior Theatre Administration Minor and Media, Journalism, and Film Major at Howard University, after learning that she was selected for one of this year's Wasserman Music internships, "This internship will provide me with a wide-ranging introduction to the inner workings of a music agency. From understanding the agent's role in the music industry ecosystem to all the components of booking a tour or live performance, this experience will provide an opportunity to learn from Wasserman Music's talented and hardworking team. I am so thankful for this opportunity!"
The Music Business Insights Program is an outgrowth of Wasserman Music's partnership with prominent social justice organization Color of Change and its #ChangeMusic Roadmap. The program now returns for its second year at Howard University, proudly partnering with the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business.
"We are excited to partner with Wasserman Music and The Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts to showcase Howard's ongoing united efforts to serve our students and community by providing world-class elite programming," said Jasmine Young, MBA (Howard 1994) Director of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business at Howard University.
Said Prof. Parks, "After such a successful inaugural run and even broader support from across the campus this year, we are looking to make our efforts even bigger and bolder going into year two of this collaboration and beyond!"
Learn more about the HU Theatre Arts Administration-Wasserman Summer Internship experience here.
See the Wasserman x Howard University 2023 Experience Recap video here.
ABOUT WASSERMAN MUSIC:
Wasserman Music is a leading global agency representing a wide range of prominent artists across all genres for live performance, touring, brand partnerships, and beyond. We are long-term career development strategists who work with artists to expand their reach and deepen their impact with audiences around the world. Wasserman Music is a division of Wasserman.
Wasserman powers the business of sports, music, entertainment, and culture. Founded in 2002, Wasserman represents many of the world's most iconic sports and entertainment figures, music artists, brands, and properties, empowering them to shape culture and captivate audiences worldwide.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman operates globally across 27 countries and more than 62 cities, including New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris, and Sydney. For more information, please visit,
