1^st Annual ole/BMG-RM euro songcamp Brings Writers to Berlin for Intensive International Collaborations

          Following on the heels of the third annual ole pop+urban songcamp in L.A., four of ole's top songwriters flew to Berlin in October to take part in an intensive three-day collaborative writing session co-presented by ole and BMG Rights Management. The first-ever international event of its kind hosted by ole, dubbed Euro songcamp—after similar events held in Toronto and Los Angeles—resulted in the creation of nine new songs, with a strong potential for artist cuts and film & television syncs, and the promise of further collaborations with all participating writers.

The European songcamp included ole writers Tebey, Steven Lee Olsen, Rupert Gayle, JC Smith, as well as, ole staff members Gilles Godard, Chief Creative Officer and ole songwriter, and Elizabeth Spear, Senior Creative Manager. For three days, ole writers combined their creative talents with BMG writers from Germany, Finland, Norway and the UK, as well as a number of Sony and Universal writers. The writers specifically focused their efforts on key commercial projects presented by a number of record label A&R and top music supervisors. Stefan Broedner, a music supervisor working on two feature films for 2010 release, was on hand to provide an introduction to the music needs for the films, as well as feedback on the attendees' resulting work on the final eve of the songcamp. Additional songs were created for German rock band Aloha from Hell, BMG's 90's UK chart toppers Roachford and new Sony artist, Meg Pfeiffer.

"Through our reciprocal creative agreement with BMG Rights Management, the European songcamp was our first adventure in setting up co-writes for ole and BMG writers," Godard says. "It certainly felt like a magical event that we will be talking about for a long time. Everyone's professionalism, hard work and commitment to making this work was outstanding. When you hear writers say, ‘I was never a fan of song camps until this one...I can't wait to do this again!' you know we must be doing something right. The true success story lies in the fact that music supervisors, artists, managers and A&R reps came to discuss what they were looking for and at the end of the day songs were being held for all of these projects. I predict more of these in ole and BMG's future. In all, nine songs with ole writers were created during the songcamp, and we have a very good chance of every one of them being cut or assigned to one of the films presented at the camp."

Fred Casimir, Managing Director for BMG Rights Management comments, "I am delighted about the positive results of this first song camp in Berlin. It was a pleasure to host this event and I must thank our team for the brilliant organization and their contribution as well as the fantastic writers from all over the world who made this event a success."

With the goal of creating new material for major label recording artists while expanding the writers' creative networks and publisher partnerships, workday routines started in the studio around 10 a.m. each day, and most teams worked until 9 p.m.; some even wrote as late as 5 a.m. "The writers were really dedicated to finishing what they started," Spear says. "At the end of the day everyone would assemble and listen to what was finished. There was a really good energy; everybody felt like they made friends, and everyone is already making plans to visit. Some want to visit Toronto, some want to go back to Berlin and write. Some strong bonds and networks were created."

Cleo Wallraf, Marketing BMG Rights Management echoes the creative event's success, "We had the pleasure to welcome a terrific selection of high-profile ole writers in Berlin, to join them networking with top BMG authors and, as a result of every session, to receive great songs! Since all of the writers intend to continue their fruitful collaboration with each other, additionally to most of the songs being placed in films, we feel that this first transatlantic networking platform has become a huge success."

ole writer Tebey recounts, "I had an absolute blast in Berlin. It was great to meet (everyone), and I think that some amazing songs were written." JC Smith adds, "The camp was extremely well organized and executed. The core of talent at the camp was exceptional, and the vibe of the camp was so positive."

BMG writer Alex Geringas shared the same enthusiasm, "I usually am not a fan of song camps because they tend to feel stiff and contrived, but this ole/BMG event was special because of the wonderful creative spirit everyone is contributing. We have written amazing songs here in Berlin."

Based on the success of the songcamp, a repeat session—perhaps more—is already being planned for 2010.

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