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SMIA: Developing Scotland's Musical Landscape

Moderator: Robert Kilpatrick [SMIA]

Panelists: Daria Jaszcz [Marketing & Communications Executive - SMIA],  Kitt Carr [Event Coordinator - Wide Days], Mobolaji Agoro [Up2stndrd / PITCH / Forji]

Panel Description

This panel will delve into the diverse & vibrant Scottish music landscape; what that looks like today, what battles we have faced and what development is needed to grow Scotland’s music industry. 

– What does Scotland do well?

– What could we do better?

– How do we do it?

Robert Kilpatrick [Interim CEO & Creative Director - SMIA] 

Robert Kilpatrick is Interim CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA); the organisation which exists to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry and represents over 4,000 members working across Scotland’s music industry ecosystem.

Having been involved in the SMIA since 2014, Robert leads the SMIA executive team and is responsible for the design and successful delivery of the SMIA’s strategic work to support its ongoing mission.  

Robert has a proven track record in creative and strategic direction, project management, leadership and business development. For the past seven years, he’s led the development and delivery of the SMIA’s flagship project and Scotland’s national music prize; the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. 

 As well as his work at the SMIA, Robert is the co-founder of Scottish indie-label ICEBLINK LUCK, which he set up in 2019 with Stina Tweeddale (Honeyblood).

Mobolaji Agoro [UP2STNDRD, PITCH, Forji]

Mobo is an Artist Manager and Conference coordinator & Booker. Working across multiple organisations at the intersection of music and culture he has a hands on approach to Artist and Professional Development, leading on

UP2STNDRD’s Education strand - “Be The Standard” Recently appointed as Pitch Scotland Co-ordinator and Booker, he is lending his deep understanding of artist requirements & creative perspectives. This ultimately has led Mobo to have an interest in early-career music artists, thinking and being in dialogue with the ways to nurture and support their creative and professional journey. PRSF Power UP alumni , Mobo is an agent of change, making strategic

interventions to allow for a more equitable Music Industry in Scotland.

Daria Jaszcz [Marketing & Communications Executive - SMIA]

Daria Jaszcz is an experienced digital marketer working across a variety of industries, with a background in working with charities and the third sector. She joined the Scottish Music Industry Association in 2023 in the Marketing & Communications role and she actively supports the organisation across their digital marketing strategies and annual projects ie. The SAY Award. Daria earned her Masters in Music: Creative Industries from the University of the West of Scotland in 2022.

Kitt Carr [Event Coordinator - Wide Days]

Kitt Carr is the Event Coordinator for Scotland’s Music Convention and Showcase Wide Days, which was founded in 2010 and takes place in Edinburgh May 1-2-3 2024 and Project Coordinator for youth focused annual music conference Off The Record.