Thought Leaders Think Ahead: Ali Harnell, Frank Riley, Michael Dorf, Stephan Thanscheidt, Jake Berry (Part 5)

2020 was a year like no other (see Pollstar’s 2020* Year-End Hub). That, we know. What we may not know is how this difficult year impacted and motivated top execs in the live business to strategize. In part five of Pollstar’s Year-End Thought Leaders Think Ahead Survey series, Live Nation Women’s, High Road Touring’s Frank Riley, City Winery’s Michael Dorf, FKP Scropio’s Stephan Thanscheidt and production legend Jake Berry give their insights into their year, how they adapted to the challenges and opportunities and what lies ahead.

Ali Harnell
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Ali Harnell,
President, Live Nation Women

In terms of its scale and impact, how would you describe 2020 and the current crisis, its impact on your business and the biggest challenge (or challenges) our industry faces? 
2020 has been a year of extreme challenges and inspiring opportunities. COVID-19 shut our business down and the effect on our industry and its workforce, financially, psychologically and emotionally, can’t be overstated. On top of that, the US, indeed the world, is grappling with long overdue adjustments to gross racial and gender inequalities and injustices. That said, we’ve also had valuable time to reflect and explore new ideas amidst the chaos.
What strategies have you and your businesses implemented and/or are you considering implementing to address these challenges?

With regard to COVID, Live Nation is facing the challenges by innovating on how we reemerge in the safest healthiest ways possible. We can’t wait to get back to those events so we can continue using our platforms to do the important work of building diversity and sharing messages of inclusion on stages around the world.  Right now we’re super focused on several initiatives we’re looking at rolling out in 2021. We are creating opportunities to get more women and BIPOC into our pipeline and on our stages through education and outreach (SoLA Impact, Diversify the Stages, etc), expanding strategic partnerships (She is the Music, BMAC, Makers, The Collective, VOCL), deepening the connections with other advocacy organizations, and finding even more ways to leverage our platform to amplify diverse talent.

With vaccinations reportedly on the near horizon, better testing technology, accrediting organizations, industry sanitization and safety protocols being established, a new Presidential administration, when and how do you anticipate the industry coming back?
As for the final question about when I/we anticipate the industry coming back, I’m an optimist and a manifester and believe we will have action by summer, ramp way up by fall and be back to scale by late 2021. 2022 will be nuts!

Frank Riley
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Frank Riley
Founder, High Road Touring
Founding Member, National Independent Talent Organization

In terms of its scale and impact, how would you describe 2020 and the current crisis, its impact on your business and the biggest challenges our industry faces? 
For all of the members of NITO, the scale and impact of COVID-19 could not be more devastating. It has impacted agencies, management companies, artists, and all of those who work in the live event music community up to 90+%, with long term consequences to the health and well being of our previously vibrant and successful businesses.

What strategies have you and your businesses implemented and/or are you considering implementing to address these challenges? 
All of the members of NITO have had to reassess priorities within their companies, and were required to make difficult, wrenching decisions in order to assure longer term survival. For small businesses, the process of developing and implementing productive workers has been eviscerated. We will all have difficulties restaffing and returning to full viability. The resiliency and dedication of the independent music community will be the only way forward.

New voices, and the opportunities for younger artists to develop and evolve artistically, build audiences, and become the foundation of the future, has been abruptly interrupted.  

What has been most remarkable from the inception of NITO is the level of cooperation between the members. Putting aside the competitive nature of our business, and finding common ground upon which we all can build a better framework to move forward has been one of the biggest surprises to me during this time.

Truth is that everyone in the live music community has been devastatingly impacted.

With vaccinations reportedly on the near horizon, better testing technology, accrediting organizations, industry sanitization and safety protocols being established, a new Presidential administration, when and how do you anticipate the industry coming back?

Initially, on a step by step basis. Local and regional touring in reduced capacity venues, and a gradual return to full national touring, once there is a more uniform response by localities, states and regions. So much depends on rigorous testing, and the implementation of appropriate protocols AND the confidence of the public in the efficacy of the vaccine and these measures. Oonce we’ve reached a national level of confidence, NITO has every faith that live music will come roaring back and again be a significant part of both the artistic and financial fabric of our lives.

Michael Dorf, City Winery
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MICHAEL DORF

Founder/CEO, City Winery

What the heck just happened?
A divine pause button was hit in February, crushing so many of us, changing all plans, devastating so many people.  As the old talmudic saying goes, “Man plans, God Laughs”. So, we need to write-off 2020 and 2021 and come to grips with the fact two years of business went down the drain and look at the positives in life.  

How are you handling it?
The last bit of hair on my head is now gone.  We have become a much leaner and smarter team, playing mostly defense and a little offense. We actually opened our two largest new facilities during the pandemic, we took the opportunity to fully dismantle and rebuild our website including our proprietary ticketing system, we have focused a lot of effort on the wine side of our business selling direct to consumer as well as live steaming like others to maintain a relationship with our customers.  We certainly are loosing our patience, but continue stay afloat with things like our rapid testing at the door for our restaurant in NYC, or music in a tent series in Nashville.  But we are loosing some steam in this marathon and trying to look at the light at the end of the tunnel.

What lies ahead?
Well I really hope that the NIVA Save our Stages Act comes through in the short term which will pave the bridge to the late summer.  It seems with the Vaccine in enough arms by then, we can get back to business and I am confident that our intimate and seated concert spaces will be in even more demand with a discerning music patron than ever.  Not just the pent up demand that will push the entire industry, but the more targeted and affluent music fan who pay for the privilege of safer, smaller, and more tactile connection between the artist and the patron.  City Winery is perfectly position to be that room and thus, we plan to aggressive continue our expansion in creating spaces for this interaction.   And I personally hope what lies ahead is not just that special fireside chat with you Andy, but that this painful period in our country’s history yields a slightly more respectful, human, and conscious climate that realizes we got thru it together and should enjoy a more peaceful future.

Stephan Thanscheidt
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Stephan Thanscheidt

CEO, FKP Scorpio

In terms of scale and impact, how would you describe 2020 and the current crisis’ impact on your business and the biggest challenges?
The Covid pandemic is and continues to be the single most demanding challenge our company has had to face. We haven’t generated revenue for more or less a whole year, which naturally has a big impact on our operations. At the same time, we feel lucky to have the necessary means to weather this storm because we’ve been economical and successful in the past. Unfortunately, not every voice formerly contributing to a colourful and diverse cultural life in Germany and abroad can afford this patience. The ramifications for the whole value chain have been disastrous.
 
The biggest challenge for us is the high level of insecurity concerning the future. As of yet, it remains to be seen how and when culture will be back to normal. That’s why we’re demanding a dependable exit strategy that clearly defines under which circumstances concerts and culture will once again be possible. The recent programs and ideas of the Federal Government are a first step in this direction, but actions will need to follow suit.
 
What strategies have you and your businesses implemented and/or are you considering implementing to address these challenges?
We have settled for minimizing our overheads whilst making sure that no employee is laid off and that our team sticks together and engages in meaningful contact and activities. We’re all working on keeping a familial and warm atmosphere, which can be a challenge with everyone working remotely.
 
Of course, we’re also busy advocating for the interests of the creative industries in media and politics. One example for this is a pan-European taskforce of industry leaders working together to ensure that fans can return safely to full capacity outdoor live events at the earliest opportunity. The “Solutions for Festivals” work group is consulting with senior figures from production, the supply chain, and festival health and safety, as well as experts in SARS-CoV-2 health and medicine. The group are reviewing and co-ordinating efforts to implement best practices for the health and safety of fans as festivals return.
 
With vaccinations reportedly on the near horizon, better testing technology, accrediting organizations, industry sanitization and safety protocols being established, and more, when and how do you anticipate the industry coming back?
It’s certainly true that the breakthroughs in vaccinations and technology are a very positive sign for our mutual way back into normality in 2021. However, the recent pandemic development makes a more precise estimate impossible. One thing is clear: We’re willing to do everything in our power to provide safety for all our events and continue to work closely with politicians and scientists in order to develop the necessary solutions.

Jake Berry
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Jake Berry

Founder/CEO, Jake Berry Productions

 In terms of scale and impact, how would you describe 2020 and the current crisis’ challenges and impact on your business?
Well as we all know it has been devastating to everyone  these past 9 months  and not just myself but 99% of all people who rely on the Music industry  We all know this will end sometime and the sooner the better for everyone
 
What strategies have you and your businesses implemented and/or are you considering implementing to address these challenges?
Answer well we know it will be a different landscape when we all get back and need to be ready to change in what ever way we can to get back on track
 
 With vaccinations reportedly on the near horizon, better testing technology, accrediting organizations, industry sanitization and safety protocols being established, a new Presidential administration and more, when and how do you anticipate the industry coming back?
well you really need to be a fortune teller to say when  but with all of the news about vaccine and testing  lets hope we can be on track for me personally  it would be nice to be back and running in May but that could be a tall order  but have to say positive.