News

We are happy to announce the opening of a new branch dedicated to forming a network of Estonian managers called Music Estonia Managers (MEM). The network’s mission is to develop the activities, contacts, and cooperation among managers both internationally and regionally. With this new addition, the development center now has two focused branches, including Music Estonia Live (MEL), which brings together concert organizers and venues and has been active since 2019 under the name Live Music Estonia.

The network of managers will be led by Thea Zaitsev, a valued artist manager and member of the Music Estonia board. Thea Zaitsev successfully shapes the careers of artists like NOËP, Alika, Sander Mölder, Mick Pedaja, Frederik Küüts, and Raul Ojamaa through her company Tier Music, while also being involved in publishing activities. Previously, the community of managers was brought together by the experienced cultural organizer and music manager Leelo Lehtla, who now assumes an advisory role within the network. The expert group also includes Music Estonia project manager and manager Marii Reimann.

Thea Zaitsev highlights the right timing for establishing this branch: “Having personally operated in the Estonian music market for over a decade, with the first few years spent in Denmark and then in London, I have been delighted to observe the professionalization of the Estonian music market. Consistent development has brought in young enthusiasts and professionals working in various support structures of the music industry, serving as excellent examples for musicians and managers at the beginning of their careers. That’s precisely why, together with Music Estonia, we have found it fitting to provide a boost to the local professionals through this specialized branch, aiming to foster both local music industry communication and encouragement in international endeavours.”

Ave Sophia Maria Tölpt, the CEO of Music Estonia, sees this as a promising direction for the future. “Considering the size of our country’s music entrepreneurship, such consolidation is the right choice. Establishing branches makes a specific sub-sector competent in the eyes of international networks and helps shape necessary discussions for managers operating in different fields, where current challenges can be addressed, and experiences can be exchanged. The more professional managers we have, the better chances Estonian artists have to be more visible and audible worldwide.”

Music Estonia currently has a membership of around 100, with nearly 20 management companies representing artists from various fields, ranging from classical, jazz, and world music to alternative and pop.

Tölpt adds, “Certainly, continuous communication with representatives from other sectors within our membership will continue. Just a few weeks ago, we invited representatives from the Live network (concert venues and organizers), as well as managers, artists, and other companies (including studios, publishers, record labels, and other enterprises), to come together for joint discussions to better understand the needs, development desires, and international goals of each sub-field.”