Music and entertainment could become more of an economic development accelerator in the downtown Phoenix area. Dr. Shain Shapiro, CEO of Sound Diplomacy, spoke over the phone at a Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) meeting Tuesday about using music to spur urban development.
Sound Diplomacy is a London and Berlin-based music agency that helps artists, associations, municipalities and companies enter or expand their presence in the music industry. The MAG Economic Development Committee will consider implementing some of the agency’s strategies in Phoenix.
“[Sound Diplomacy] works with multiple authorities to understand how a thriving music ecosystem can bring economic development to the city,” Shapiro said.
Helping growing cities such as Phoenix create policies that foster this “music ecosystem” is a must, according to Shapiro.
Sound Diplomacy helped cities such as New York, London and Berlin develop music tourism platforms by conducting market research, creating strategy plans and running music festivals.
“One of the first things we do is we encourage every city to map its music and cultural assets and create what we call a cultural infrastructure plan,” Shapiro said.
After assessing a city’s music industry, the agency begins establishing international partnerships, according to Shapiro.
Shapiro said a city’s population is usually happier and healthier with a thriving music community. In 2016, the company hosted its third Music Cities Convention in the United Kingdom, which brought 190 delegates from 23 countries together to discuss how music could indicate a cities economic growth.
“The whole idea of bringing [Sound Diplomacy] here is it needs to be better organized and more recognized officially in city strategies,” said MAG member Dennis Smith, who attended the presentation and supports the use of music as a major economic indicator.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton expressed interest in Sound Diplomacy, saying live music events “really brings life to the heart of your city.” He cited the numerous music venues in downtown Phoenix as support for how the city has already made an effort to develop a music industry.
“In Phoenix, in downtown, we want to be the center of commerce, the center of art, the center of sports and we want to be the center of live music,” Stanton said.
“We want people to know that if you want to have fun, come to downtown Phoenix any night of the week, and you know something fun’s going to be going on there.”
Contact the reporter at Holly.Bernstein@asu.edu.
