Music industry veteran and founder of Mad Sun Marketing and The Women’s International Music Network, Laura B. Whitmore, will be offering a commencement speech at the renowned McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minn., on April 25, 2015 at the college’s History Theatre.
Whitmore will address graduating students from 12 different programs, including Music Production, Music Business, Audio Engineering, Songwriting, and more. She plans to draw on her vast experience in the industry as it relates to marketing, public relations, negotiation, advocacy and more, and also her perspective as a former music student herself.
“To be able to speak to future generations of musicians and music industry businessmen and women is an absolute privilege and a truly humbling experience. I am honored to have been asked to participate in this memorable ceremony, and look forward to making an impact on these future music-makers,” said Whitmore.
The ceremony will also feature a performance by McNally Smith’s World Vocal Ensemble directed by Peggy Larson.
“Laura Whitmore is a perfect example of how a modern music professional can make a life in music her own unique way. She’s a gifted musician who has channeled her creativity into a variety of pursuits—marketing, public relations, writing blogs and columns for industry publications, business entrepreneur, and, of course, being a singer/songwriter. I am certain our students will benefit from and be inspired by Laura’s words and her accomplishments,” said McNally Smith College of Music President Harry Chalmiers.
A graduate of Hofstra University with a B.S. in Music Merchandising and an M.B.A. in Marketing, Whitmore served as Marketing Manager for Korg USA for 20 years, where she was instrumental in developing marketing, PR and artist relations efforts for the Korg, Marshall, and VOX brands. In 2008, Whitmore put her entrepreneurial skills to use, and founded her own company, Mad Sun Marketing, a boutique agency that specializes in marketing, PR, artist relations, event production, graphic design, and more for music and audio companies.
A singer/songwriter herself, Whitmore is the editor of Guitar World’s Acoustic Nation, the creator of the Guitar World featured blog series, Guitar Girl’d, specializing in showcasing female musicians, and a monthly contributing columnist to U.K. trade publication M.I. Pro. In 2012, Whitmore founded the Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN), a global organization connecting women from all facets of the music and audio industries. The WiMN produces events such as the Women’s Music Summit, the WiMN She Rocks Showcases, and the annual She Rocks Awards, a keystone event that takes place during the NAMM Show.
For more information, visit www.mad-sun.com and www.mcnallysmith.edu.