Joining Future’s senior management team, Chris will report to Mia Walter, Publishing Director for Future’s Music-Making portfolio and will be responsible for overseeing and developing the London Music Show, which the company took over earlier this year.
Chris brings over 20 years of event experience to the role, having previously worked for CMPi, Emap and international event organisers, Montgomery. A keen musician, Chris has been a guitar player for over 35 years and brings a wealth of music knowledge to the appointment.
Organised by Future, The London Music Show claims to be the UK’s biggest music-making event and takes place from 8th – 10th October 2010 at the ExCel Arena. With trade welcome on all three days, the consumer event celebrates all aspects of music and will attract thousands of visitors. The event will be a truly interactive experience with live performance, demonstrations, master-classes, signings, learn to play zones and the chance to test out and purchase the latest equipment and gear from key manufacturers and retailers – and smaller speciality companies alike.
The show will also include a brand new area – ‘Rhythm Live’, which will run throughout the event, and will be aimed at drum enthusiasts as well as well as encouraging would-be drummers to pick up drumsticks for the first-time. The area will include seminars, master-classes and live performances from the best drummers around, as well as exhibiting kits and gear from leading drum brands.
Rhythm Live will also bring the very best elements of the UK’s biggest and best percussion magazine – Rhythm, and will be led by Louise King, the former editor of Rhythm. Having edited the magazine for 8 years, Louise will play a major part in developing Rhythm Live into a major area at London Music Show for all drum enthusiasts. The Rhythm team will be working closely with Louise and will be on hand to meet their readers and answer questions throughout Rhythm Live.
Future’s London Music Show event team are working closely with the industry to secure exhibitors for the event and will announce partners in coming months. Leading drummer, Mike Dolbear has already signed up to take part in tutorial sessions in the Rhythm Live area.
Mia Walter, Publishing Director for Future’s Music-Making portfolio said: “We are delighted to appoint Chris Down to the role of Event Director; he brings considerable expertise and experience as well as endless enthusiasm, and this appointment shows how committed we are in investing and developing the London Music Show”.
For more information please visit www.londonmusicshow.co.uk and www.musicradar.com for updates.
About Future
Future says: “Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong multi-media market positions in games, technology, film, music, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include Total Film, T3, Classic Rock, Digital Camera, Guitar World, Official Xbox Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Power, Maximum PC and MacLife. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, techradar.com, musicradar.com, dailyradar.com and photoradar.com. Future produces nearly 4 million magazines each month; we attract more than 27 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 27 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.”
