music business lecturing

Chris Lakey’s Visit: Enhancing Music Industry Courses at Seinäjoki UAS

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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!

Chris Lakey brought invaluable real-life insights into sync and music supervision, deepening our understanding of modern music management at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences

Mentoring and Career Counselling

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Did you know that I mentor people a lot? Mentoring and career counselling has been a part of my repertoire for almost three decades. It all started as a guest. One of my friends needed help in his recording agreement negotiations back in the 90’s. I agreed without hesitation. For a first-year law student it was an excellent opportunity. To see how things turn out in real. The negotiations went well and the deal got signed. While coming back from that meeting, he asked whether I could be more of assistance. My answer started a four-year journey that has lasted till these days.

What is it then about mentoring that fascinates so much? For me it’s the impact – a chance to make a difference. Your contribution may really mean something, to someone. If you won’t make an interference when asked, it may be that some promising occurrence never sees the light of day.

I like the idea that I haven’t really advertised my services. The mentoring just happens – without any cumbersome plug-ins. Something makes people contact me. Usually it is my own activity that becomes seen. And that in turn act as a trigger – a reason to make approach.

Consequently, this relates to passive promotion I like to talk so much. Setting your passive promotion up correctly enables unexpected, but also anticipated contacts in a way you cannot particularly reach. It leads to another conclusion of the matter – to become a mentor and mentoring itself probably need a reason. It is something you already have. For me, it’s the experience – especially nowadays.

If you want to deep-dive into that passive promotion concept, here’s a book for you. You can have it easily on Amazon.

My mentoring is based on this book,

It’s funny how this mentoring has changed its form over the years. In the early days, when the experience was non-existent, it was the energy and enthusiasm I could release for completion of the goals. It still is, but in a slightly different way. Like I said, my mentoring reflects a lot of experience and it’s the thing that makes it so valuable.

If you ever end up being someone’s mentor, the first thing you have to ask for yourself is the reason why. Why is this mentoring started in the first place. Then you probably understand your own value and it makes you able to act accordingly.

Also, there’s a personal dimension too – not everything takes place just because it is professionally justified, or that it is economically reasonable. No, I have a completely different starting point. I think many of my colleagues will approve this too. I need to hear that click. And that click can be anything. Sometimes it is music, sometimes some position that is present incorrectly – something that needs a fix. And yes – I love conversations. If you have something in mind, feel free to make an approach. You never know where it may lead you!