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Davina Merchant – Artist Manager & Senior Publishing A&R

Starting her career as an enthusiastic entertainment journalist, Davina was passionate about breaking more stories to champion those behind the music. Her exceptional ambition meant that pursuing a career in the music industry allowed her to facilitate her passion, and to build a thriving career in the music industry.

Kickstarting her career in management, Davina went on to work in label services before joining Downtown Music publishing’s London Office at the top of 2018. She has gone on to earn an impressive reputation as a forward thinking exec with signings that include Mae Muller, Tion Wayne, Hamzaa, Deiago, Moelogo, Jaz Karis to name a few.

Speaking: Monday Afternoon

14:00 – 16:30

The A&R Reality Check: What does artist success look like in 2023?  

With an all-star A&R focused panel lined-up, we’ll explore what artist success looks like in 2023 with Preye Crooks (A&R Robots & Humans /Sony UK & Founder of Strawberries and Cream Fest), Theolonious Oliver (Artist Manager & A&R at Pias), Davina Merchant (Artist manager & Senior Publishing A&R), Dani Sawyerr (A&R Universal Music Publishing UK) and Benson Udia (Senior Marketing Manager at EMI UK). Host Benjamin Tuner (Spit Game).

Dani Sawyerr, A&R at Universal Music Publishing UK.  

Davina Merchant, Artist Manager & Senior Publishing A&R 

Joy Warmann, Product Manager, Secretly Canadian  

Preye Crooks, A&R at Robots & Humans/Sony UK & Founder of Strawberries and Cream Festival 

Theolonious Oliver, Artist Manager & A&R at Pias 

Benson Udia – Senior Marketing Manager at EMI UK


Speakers

Davina Merchant – Artist Manager & Senior Publishing A&R

Joy Warman – Project Manager

Preye Crooks – Co-Head A&R – Robots & Humans, Strawberries & Creem Festival

Benson Udia – Senior Marketing Manager at EMI UK

Benjamin Turner – Founder, The Rap Club/ Spit Game

Dani Sawyerr, A&R at Universal Music Publishing UK