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Simon Walker
Founder, CEO, and Chairman active in venture building, digital technology, and the arts.
Simon Walker is a co-founder at Game Farm Studios, an organization involved in the gaming industry. He has a diverse background as a founder, investor, advisor, and producer, primarily focusing on the intersection of creative industries and digital technology.
Professional Background
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Game Farm Studios: As a co-founder, Simon contributes to the development and innovation within the gaming sector.
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The Maidthorn Group: He is also the founder and principal of Maidthorn, which specializes in building ventures in global passion niches. The company supports strategy and development for various clients across media and technology sectors.1
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Previous Ventures: Simon has co-founded several successful companies, including:
- CountryLine: A global fan club app for country music.
- Marquee TV: A streaming platform for performing arts.
- Love Home Swap: A home exchange service that was one of the largest of its kind.1
Education
Simon holds a Master’s degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford, which he completed between 1988 and 1992.1
Skills and Expertise
His expertise encompasses areas such as venture building, digital strategy, and creative content development. Simon has played significant roles in various organizations, contributing to their growth and strategic direction.1
Highlights
I get asked a lot about the future of fan experiences, not just in classical and country music where we have skin in the game, but across all genres. My answers usually revolve around three things: authenticity, intimacy and connection.
Last night I saw a near perfect expression of these in a drawing room in Belsize Park. Embarrassingly I had never been to a Sofar Sounds experience, but this was where it all started fifteen years ago, in the visionary founder Rafe Offer's own home.
A young, mixed, joyful London crowd was treated to immersive, interactive sets from extraordinary talents like Arsha Kaviani, whose sublime improvisations - based on random notes from the audience - mashed up everything from Scriabin and Rachmaninoff to Massive Attack and Portishead.
The sight of a gaggle of hip Gen Z Londoners sitting rapt on the floor at the feet of a pianist reminded me of my kids' early years music lessons at their old school round the corner. But the energy was extraordinary and that hunger for connection is surely the motive force bringing music communities together. I see this at songwriters rounds in Nashville and on a different scale this is what that magician of our age, Taylor Swift, conjured up for 90,000 of us at a time last month at Wembley #OnlyConnect.
Having spent the day deep in tech workshops for our next generation platform, it was useful to be reminded that all we do in our business is connect artists and fans, and in this era the fans are in charge. The Maidthorn Group Marquee TV CountryLine
The most interesting space in #musictech right now is #superfan brands that combine #content, #community and #commerce - the legendary #3Cs (for those of us who started out in #DotComOne . . .)
As an example, investors are now alive to the fast growth of country music as a genre, but it's the changing consumption behaviours that are driving innovation and value. Who knew the 'Nashville lifestyle' would be where Gen Z and Gen A spend their disposable income? (Well, apart from the team at CountryLine of course 💁♂️ . . .)
The smartest way for media & entertainment brands to thrive is through #experiential innovation. Indeed, if there's no #IRL dimension, is it even a community at all?
The Maidthorn Group #targetglobalverticals #globalpassionniches
