Darren Hemmings

Very impressed with @samply.app - perfect for my needs, which is shopping this bad boy around for a deal. And if you fancy a listen, HOLLA. Me and @petesasqwax FINALLY delivering a collab album!!

Going viral is not what it used to be. In fact, marketing isn’t working like it used to - or is it?! 👀 Many of the old rules still apply, and going back to basics might be the next chapter. WYTS founder @jamesfleury explores how can artists stand out, maintain and grow supportive fanbases, together with Ivor Novello, BRIT & Grammy award-winning songwriter @kamille , Deviate Digital CEO @sammyandrews & Motive Unknown’s @mr_trick . Not to be missed! 💥💥 FFWD:LDN ‘26 is just 2 weeks away - get your delegate pass now!l - link in bio! @jamesfleury @musicecon101 @kamille @sammyandrews @mr_trick @synchtank @gigrealm @hackney.church @the_money_trench @deviatedigital @motiveunknown @ivorsacademytrust @ivorsacademy @brits

Yup.

If this is some kind of intelligence test, I have failed.

✨ Keynote: Fan Engagement in 2025 We’re excited to welcome Darren Hemmings to the Music Frontiers Stage tomorrow! 📅 September 4th, 11:35–12:05 📍 Music Frontiers Stage @musictechde

Very much looking forward to hitting Berlin again this week, where I'll be doing a keynote on fan engagement, and then moderating a panel on cultivating fan loyalties, all for @musicfrontiersconf . Should be a great event - and if you're in Berlin, come down 👍🏻💪🏻

When you park your car in a Valencian underground car park with absolutely ZERO room to spare....

I am "on holiday".

IMPORTANT BEARD UPDATE: now past "70s estate agent" and moving into the uncharted territory of "grizzled sailor". Still looking like a man on the run though. It's a strong look ahead of this presentation I'm doing on Tuesday for Music Ally. Anyways, as you were all... X

This weeks guest on the Not A Diving Podcast is Darren Hemmings. The last year of the show has been more squarely focused on musicians than the first two. We’ve talked about general issues in the industry, but the expertise has mostly been from the artist side. This week we widen the net. Darren Hemmings is the Managing Director of Motive Unknown, a music-focused strategic marketing agency based in the UK. He’s a previous Head Of Digital Marketing at PIAS and various other jobs at majors and independents across the industry. He’s also the author of the Network Notes letter on Substack, in which he discusses trends and big stories in the industry. We discuss the state of the industry today, the health of the streaming platforms and their changing approach to payment models and staffing, and the independent sector with its challenges and potential for a future breakout against the ongoing encroachment of the majors. We also discuss a&r strategy, why dance music doesn’t stream well, and the comparison between music companies and the decline of Nike. This is a detailed excursion into the music business today... get it wherever you get your podcasts!

Currently dressing like a man actively on the run. Anyways this is arguably the first selfie I've posted in 2024. ENJOY FOLKS, SEE YOU IN A YEAR or something 😆

Check this handsome chap just chilling outside my kitchen window...