Business Matters

Each year the Goodman School of Business presents a panel of industry experts to discuss business topics of interest to the community.

The Business Matters series is supported by the D.G Willmot Lecture Fund.

2024 Business Matters

Songs in the Key of ChatGPT

Wednesday, March 27, 2024
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Webinar and Q&A

Technological disruption is not a new challenge in the music industry, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to be the next shock.

Goodman’s 2024 Business Matters panel will delve into the current influence of AI on musicians and the industry, ethical issues associated with it and discuss what AI means in terms of things like song writing, deep fakes and more.

Whether you are a musician, work in the industry or are interested in how technology might impact the music you love, we hope you will join us for this important conversation.

PANELISTS

Eric Alper, Owner of Eric Alper Public Relations
Eric Alper
OWNER,

Eric Alper started his own PR firm after being the Director of Media Relations and Label Relations for eOne Music Canada for the past 18 years. He’s been named to Billboard Magazine, Paste Magazine and The National Post’s Best on Social Media. He’s got over a million followers on social media while ThatEricAlper.com now receives over 125,000 hits a week. Past and current clients in PR include Bob Geldof, Public Enemy, DJ Khalid, The Cult, MF DOOM, Prince, Ringo Starr, Slash, The Wiggles, Bush, Steve Earle, Sinead O’Connor, Snoop Dogg, The Smashing Pumpkins, Ray Charles, and Little Steven, among hundreds of others over his 25 years in the music industry.

Noah Mintz, Senior Mastering Engineer at Lacquer Channel Mastering, touching knobs on a mixing console in a music studio.
Noah Mintz
Senior Mastering Engineer,
Lacquer Channel Mastering

Noah Mintz is a Senior Mastering Engineer at Lacquer Channel Mastering. With over 15 years audio experience specifically and exclusively in professional mastering, Noah’s philosophy has always been “less is more” with a strong emphasis on “vibe.”

From the time Noah bought his first four very diverse record albums; Talking Heads, Men Without Hats, Def Leopard and Lionel Ritchie, he’s been as much interested in how music sounds as in the songs themselves. After the demise of the 90’s touring band hHead in which Noah was a co-founder and songwriter, Mastering was the natural progression. In 1998, Noah opened Toronto’s only boutique dedicated mastering studio, Grandmasters. In 2001, Noah moved Grandmasters into Lacquer Channel Mastering and within 5 years became co-owner with Lacquer Channel’s other senior engineer Phil Demetro.

Since 1996, Noah has been championing that mastering is as much about how music makes you feel as it is how it sounds. He’s also been responsible for numerous published articles on mastering and sound as well as having developed a technique for embedding high quality MP3s on a CD called enhanced MP3.

Noah has mastered 1000’s of albums and his sonic signature has been left of some of Canada’s most accomplished musical releases including; Broken Social, Hayden, Great Big Sea, Sarah Slean, Death From Above 1979 and Sarah Harmer.

Chelsea Masse, Market Research and Data Specialist, Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA)
Chelsea Masse
Market Research and Data Specialist,
Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA)

Chelsea Masse serves as the Market Research and Data Specialist at CIMA, a non-profit national trade association dedicated to supporting the English-language, Canadian-owned sector of the music industry. In her role, Chelsea spearheads market research initiatives aimed at reinforcing CIMA’s advocacy efforts within governmental and policymaking circles, while also fostering a data-driven understanding of the Canadian-owned music sector. Her efforts pave the way for innovative research partnerships and the creation of original insights, empowering informed decision-making and propelling the Canadian independent music industry forward.

Chelsea holds an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Guelph and has made notable contributions to research on commodity and public procurement politics, with publications by MQUP and the Accounting, Auditing, & Accountability Journal. Beyond her professional service to the music industry, Chelsea’s love for music extends into her personal life. She is a devoted fingerstyle guitarist specializing in folk and traditional music, frequently engaging in spontaneous improvised performances at Audiopollination Guelph. Additionally, she actively pursues her interest in the art of acoustic guitar making as a luthier student at Karol Guitars.

Kirsten Robertson, Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources, School of Business at the University of the Fraser Valley
Kirsten Robertson
Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources,
School of Business, University of the Fraser Valley

Dr. Kirsten Robertson is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources in the School of Business at the University of the Fraser Valley. Her research explores how to develop positive workplaces where individuals can flourish, such as through work meaningfulness and workplace relationships. One of her most recent projects explores occupational callings, with a focus on professional musicians and amateurs who are working toward turning their musical calling into a career. Her research has been published in leading management journals, including the Academy of Management Review, Journal of Management Studies, and the Journal of Organizational Behavior.

REGISTRATION

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Past events:

Business Matters

A DISCUSSION ON THE EVER-CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 – Webinar and Q&A

Thank you to our panelists:

  • Christina Garnett, Principal Marketing Manager, Offline Community and Advocacy at HubSpot
  • Meg Shannon, Communications Manager at Broadbent Institute
  • Carly Snider, Strategy Director at Hughes & Co.
Four panelists in a virtual meeting for Business Matters 2022

Operating in a changing climate

A conversation ON SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 – Webinar and Q&A

Thank you to our panelists:

  • Jessica Blythe, Assistant Professor, Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
  • Gabriel Demarco (BSc ’13), Winemaker and Viticulturalist at Cave Spring Vineyard
  • Natalie Lowe, President of Celebrate Niagara and the Sustainable Events Forum
  • Mikayla Richards (BBA ’19), Sustainability Analyst at EcoVadis
Screenshot of four panelists speaking at a virtual meeting for Business Matters 2021

Inclusive Decision-Making Matters

A conversation on what it means to be inclusive when making decisions

Thursday, April 13, 2021 – Webinar

Thank you to our panelists:

  • Leela MadhavaRau, Director, Human Rights and Equity at Brock University
  • Ivana Musich, VP, Managing Director, Digital Products at No Fixed Address Inc. | Founder of Nomad
  • Yvonne Nasri,  Founder & CEO of Victory & Co.
  • Mark Dockstator, Member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames | Professor at Trent University
Five panelists on stage

Crafting the Brand

A conversation on what it means to take an artisanal approach to business.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 – Goodman Atrium, Brock University.

Thank you to our panelists:

  • Conrad Davies, General Manager at Breakwall Brewing Company
  • Geoff Dillon, President of Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers
  • Tamara Jensen, Brand Strategist for Form & Affect and proprietor of Dispatch restaurant
  • Nadia Senchuk, Co-founder of Leaning Post Wines
Women in Business Matter Panelists on campus

Women in Business Matter

A discussion on the importance of women as entrepreneurs and business leaders to building a vibrant economy.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 – Scotiabank Atrium, Brock University.

Thank you to our panelists:

  • Bonnie Lysyk, Auditor General of Ontario
  • Shawna Chen, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Goodman School of Business
  • Taylor Book, Co-owner, Beechwood Doughnuts
  • Mishka Balsom, President and CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Making Business Matter presentation

Making Business Matter

A discussion on social responsibility in the business world.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 – FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.

Thank you to our panelists:

  • Shannon Passero, Owner, Shannon Passero Design
  • Jim Letwin, CEO Jan Kelley
  • Betty-Lou Souter, CEO, Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold
  • Dr. Todd Green, Associate Professor of Marketing, Goodman School of Business
Four people on stage at Monster Pitch

Innovation Matters

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 – FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

  • Jim Treliving, one of five judges on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and Chairman and Owner of Boston Pizza International Inc.
  • Bruce Croxon, co-host of BNN’s The Disruptors and CEO of Round13
  • Deborah Rosati, corporate director and co-founder of Women Get On Board
  • Jason Sparaga, co-founder and co-CEO of Spark Power Corp. and founder of Spara Capital Partners.
Three panelists sitting in chairs onstage at Music Matters discussion

Music Matters

Thursday, March 19, 2015 – Sean O’Sullivan Theatre

  • Alan Cross, host of “The Ongoing History of New Music”
  • Murray Foster,  musician
  • Paul Morris, HTZ FM Music Director
  • Noah Mintz, an audio mastering engineer who has worked with some of Canada’s most successful acts and
  • Eric Alper, director of media relations for eOne Music Canada and well-known music commentator.