PANEL - Music Managers: The New Power Brokers
Let’s be honest: the center of gravity in the music industry has shifted. In 2026, the people shaping careers, controlling budgets, and driving long-term strategy aren’t sitting exclusively inside labels or platforms. They’re managers. What began as a cottage trade is now a global profession, with managers serving as the industry’s central power brokers. They are the only role structurally positioned to operate across every sector of the ecosystem on behalf of the artist - translating artistic vision into strategy, deals, and sustainable careers. Modern management is about leadership, leverage, and long-term value creation in a decentralized, global marketplace. This panel dives into how that influence is exercised, how power is stewarded responsibly, and how managers are shaping the future of the global music economy.
Jeanine McLean is an industry veteran and has been on the mgmt team for superstars Alicia Keys, HER, Tyrese Gibson, Elle Varner, K Michelle and others. Through her own company Castlight Mgmt & Media Inc she currently represents Omarion, Tone Stith, Brittney Spencer, MLynn, Torae and producer Kenneth Paige….all powerhouses in their own right.
Jeanine has been recognized by many organizations for her many years of hard work and dedication and her accolades include: Billboard Women in Music, Billboard Power Player, Femme it Forward, ASCAP Women in Music, Pollstar 50, Variety Power of Women and she has been included on the Ebony Power 100 List. She has been featured in various trade publications such as Billboard, Rolling Stone and Music Business Worldwide. Jeanine rounds out time by giving back and is an active mentor with Grammy U, Femme It Forward, Power 2 Inspire and She is the Music.
Eric Bindman, Artist Manager, Harlowe Management
Eric Bindman manages a roster of high-profile talent including Grammy-nominated and Gold-certified artist Audien, seminal dance legend Valentino Khan, as well as Luke Alexander, Elephante, NIIKO X SWAE, and more. With over 16 years of experience in the music industry, Eric brings a multifaceted background spanning artist management, operations, touring, and team leadership.
Eric is known for his people-first approach, building lasting relationships and empowering others to thrive in fast-paced environments.
Before transitioning into full-time artist management, Eric tour-managed. His expertise spans management, touring, publishing, accounting, catalogue sales, label management, HR, social media marketing, travel logistics, and event execution. He began his career booking talent in his freshman year of university in Canada.
Seth Kallen, Founder, This Fiction
Seth Kallen is the founder of This Fiction, an artist management company, label, and publisher based in Los Angeles and London. Over 22 years, he has worked with artists including X Ambassadors and JP Saxe, and the company's roster today includes Tally Hall, Will Linley, Tors Oliver Hazard, The Barr Brothers, Jukebox The Ghost and MELT. It's been a big year. Tally Hall's tour sold out 3,000- to 4,000-capacity venues within minutes. Tyler Ballgame released a critically acclaimed album on Rough Trade Records. Will Linley's single "Holding the Line" was featured on the soundtrack of Amazon's Off Campus. Beyond management, This Fiction co-owns the publishing company Campfire Music with Spark Music Group and runs the label This Side Up Sounds, with releases from Ben Kidson and Tors. Seth has also produced music festivals, and he hosts This Trip, a retreat in Mexico for artist managers.
Simon White, Artist Manager/Partner, C3 Management (Los Angeles)
Starting out as a musician, as a member of an "infamous" Britpop band in the mid 90's, I made an unplanned transition to management in the early 2000's.
My partner Matt Sadie and I are lucky enough to manage Modest Mouse, Phoenix and Lindsey Buckingham/Fleetwood Mac and Romy Mars among others.
Over the course of my 23 year management career I've also had the privilege of working with artists like Bloc Party, D'Angelo, My Bloody Valentine and Hudson Mohawke.
We are "music first" managers who still truly believe in the power of music and remain excited about the job.
Adina Friedman, Co-Lead Management, Artist House Management Collective
After seven years leading major label marketing campaigns spanning digital, advertising, direct-to-consumer, and media for artists from Bruno Mars to Paramore, Adina Friedman transitioned into artist management in 2012, joining John Legend’s manager as part of his team. She played an early role in launching Meghan Trainor’s career and, for over a decade, has built and managed the multifaceted career of Billboard Award–winning violinist Lindsey Stirling. She now serves as co-lead of management at AHMC (Artist House Management Collective) where she also manages Izzy Escobar. Before joining AHMC, Adina served as President of Friends At Work’s management division.
Moderator: Mark Williamson, Co-Founder & CEO, ROSTR
Mark Williamson is the Co-Founder and CEO of ROSTR - an intelligence platform for the music business that helps tens of thousands of professionals find contacts, jobs, news, data, and more. Mark founded ROSTR in 2018 after almost a decade leading Spotify’s artist relations team. Originally from Kenya, Mark spent time in the UK and moved to Los Angeles in 2016 – where he currently lives with his wife and two sons.
