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Virginie Berger
Music Tech | AI Innovation Strategy | Rights & IP | Business Development | Forbes Contributor in AI, Rights and Music
Professional Background
Virginie Berger is a distinguished expert in the realms of music business innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy. With over two decades of experience as an international executive, Berger adeptly navigates the dynamic intersection of music and technology, offering strategic guidance to start-ups, established companies, institutional organizations, and emerging artists.
Her extensive background includes expertise in rights management and intellectual property (IP), corporate communications, and digital transformation. Virginie's recognition within the industry is notable; she has been featured on Billboard's prestigious 2022 International Power Player List, a testament to her influence and leadership.
Berger has a proven record of driving global expansion strategies, forging vital partnerships with industry leaders, and spearheading transformative business development initiatives. Her passion for fostering collaboration and innovation among music organizations, artists, and startups remains at the forefront of her mission. Virginie acknowledges the transformative role of AI in the music industry and is dedicated to facilitating alignment and cooperation across various business segments, leveraging advanced machine learning insights to explore new licensing channels and commercial opportunities.
Education and Achievements
Virginie's educational qualifications are impressive, including an Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Strategic Management in Media Industries from Paris-Pantheon-Assas University. She further honed her expertise by completing an MBA in International Management at IAE FRANCE’s Écoles Universitaires de Management. Additionally, she excels in the legal aspects of her profession, holding an LLM in Business Law and Management from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.
Throughout her career, Berger has accumulated numerous accolades and accomplishments. She is the author of the bestselling book "Music and Digital Strategies", now in its second edition, published by IRMA Publishing. This work is celebrated as a valuable resource for industry professionals.
As the founder of the media outlet "Don't Believe the Hype," Virginie created a platform dedicated to discussing digital and music marketing, further establishing her thought leadership in the space. She has won awards for General Excellence in Online Journalism (OJAs) with OWNI and has been a recognized curator, educator, and advocate for artists.
Her thought-provoking contributions extend to over 500 articles on music, technologies, and entrepreneurship, and she has actively participated in more than 250 conferences, panels, and speaking engagements, serving both as a panelist and a moderator.
Achievements
- Featured in Billboard's 2022 International Power Player List.
- Author of the bestselling book "Music and Digital Strategies" (2nd edition).
- Founder of the influential media outlet "Don't Believe the Hype."
- Award recipient for General Excellence in Online Journalism (OJAs) with OWNI.
- Host of the radio show "Music re-loaded" on Radio Neo since 2011.
- Contributor of over 500 articles on music, technologies, and entrepreneurship across various respected publications.
- Engaged in over 250 speaking and thought leadership opportunities, enhancing discourse in the music industry.
Career Trajectory
Throughout her career, Virginie Berger has held a variety of significant roles. Notably, she has served as the Chief Business Development and Rights Officer at MatchTune, where she played a critical role in expanding the company’s reach and service offerings. As the Principal Advisor and Founder at Don't Believe the Hype LLC, she established a consultancy committed to promoting innovative practices in music and digital marketing.
Moreover, Berger has held multiple senior executive roles in organizations that focus on music publishing, rights management, and industry relations. As an advisor to the President at Global Music Rights Consultancy at Songtrust, and in earlier roles such as Senior Vice President, Global Publishing, and Industry Relations at both Songtrust and Downtown Music Holdings, Virginie's impact on strategy and partnership development has been profound. Her dedication to creating new pathways in rights management and business development within the creator services space at Songtradr, Inc, helped transform how artists interface with rights management ecosystem.
In addition to her exemplary corporate roles, Berger also served as the CEO of Armonia Online, where she further advanced her business acumen and industry insight. Her journey includes an influential position as the Marketing and Artists Relations Director at Myspace and the Music Business Director at NRJ, where her skills in artist relations and branding were instrumental.
Thought Leadership and Advocacy
Passionate about artist advocacy and education, Berger is a sought-after
Highlights
My New Forbes Article: SAG-AFTRA's AI Voice Deal Reshapes $5B Industry!
Under the agreement with AI startup Narrativ, SAG-AFTRA members can license digital replicas of their voices for use in AI-generated audio ads. While touted as an ethical framework, this deal raises critical questions about the future of human voices in media. Has the union fully considered the consequences of this AI "training"?
As AI-generated voices become more sophisticated and cost-effective, industry experts project a 30-50% reduction in traditional voice acting jobs within the decade. This $1.5-$2.5 billion market transformation could redirect funds from actor salaries to AI companies.
My Forbes article explores the implications of this agreement, which could accelerate the shift from human to artificial voices in advertising and beyond. Will this AI partnership protect livelihoods or hasten their obsolescence?
https://lnkd.in/gZVAZhWp
#voiceAI #SAG-AFTRA #Narrativ #voiceacting #Deepfake #AI #artificialintelligence #audioadvertising
It's that time of year again!! SXSW voting has started! Along with the wonderful and talented Loredana Cacciotti, Michael Pelczynski, Jake Beaumont-Nesbitt, and myself, we've submitted a panel titled "The Price of Speech: Monetizations in the Voice Economy."
You can vote for our panel here: https://lnkd.in/gNhZBahx
To sum it up: AI voice cloning is revolutionizing the creation of interactive and generative products using the artist’s most natural tool: their voice. Companies like Meta are offering millions for Hollywood voices for AI projects. Rights holders and creators need to protect their voices and explore innovative ways to monetize them as part of their fan engagement strategies.
Our panel will cover:
- Expanding creative options for artists and their teams
- Developing new revenue opportunities
- Managing IP and brand responsibly
- Ethical considerations
- Creative control and integrity
- Legal frameworks
- Licensing and revenue models
- Emerging technologies and applications
Get more details and vote here: https://lnkd.in/gNhZBahx
We appreciate your support!
