Chris Lakey’s Visit: Enhancing Music Industry Courses at Seinäjoki UAS
I am thrilled to reflect on the incredible lecture we had with Chris Lakey, a recognized expert in the music industry. His visit to my Managerial and Intercession Skills in the Modern Music Industry course at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences was nothing short of extraordinary.
With his vast experience and unique position at Kobalt Music, where he has been contributing since 2008, Chris brought an unparalleled perspective on the sync world and music supervision. His deep understanding of the music industry positioned him perfectly to provide insights into what is currently shaping the sync and licensing landscape. Having played a key role in building Kobalt to what it is today, his expertise proved invaluable for the students.
Chris’s work involves numerous management-relevant aspects that can only be fully understood through his perspective. From other viewpoints, such insights are not possible, which made his visit truly unique. By combining this specialized knowledge with what we already cover in the course, we offered students an understanding of what successful management in the modern AI-driven music industry requires. His contribution brought essential elements into our curriculum that naturally belong there.
Chris was able to offer real-life examples and, most importantly, take us through the decision-making processes behind them—allowing us to see things from his perspective. This kind of viewpoint adds depth to management and helps in understanding future situations in a completely different light.
I’m excited to have had Chris as part of our already distinguished lineup of guest speakers. Previous guests include notable professionals such as Jennifer Pyken, Mac McIntosh, Sam Tall, Timothy Williams, Mandy Salem-Aubry, Marilyn Reles-Lozano, and Juhani Merimaa, just to name a few. Chris’s involvement truly elevated our lectures, offering students the opportunity to learn from one of the most sought-after figures in the industry.
During our discussion, we had the opportunity to align on the topics for his lecture and to set the stage for an enriching session. We explored critical topics such as the role of managers in sync placements, how music supervision operates, and the types of agreements typically involved in these deals. Additionally, Chris’s experience in intermediation—both within the industry and for it—offered a unique lens through which students could examine the dynamic landscape of modern music management.
What made Chris’s visit particularly exciting was that it filled a gap in the curriculum that had long been anticipated. His deep understanding of the evolving sync world and his expertise in music rights management addressed a blind spot that has existed in the course while also complementing the contributions of other speakers. This addition enhanced the learning experience for the students, providing them with practical knowledge that will prove invaluable as they enter the professional world.
This course, which covers the essential skills for modern music management, is now complemented by the inclusion of knowledge that naturally belongs within the curriculum. The lecture brought invaluable insights into what successful management in today’s AI-driven music industry requires.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have hosted Chris and look forward to seeing how his insights will continue to inspire and challenge my students. This is an exciting time for our program, and I can’t wait to see where this collaboration takes us!