About

A UCT graduate, and founder of the NPC Music Exchange, publicist and music manager, Martin Myers began his career in the music industry running UCT Radio, at the University of Cape Town, back in 1985.

He graduated and headed towards the corporate world when the music business teased him away out of leftfield.

His big break came when Martin organised a gig for the legendary Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse at UCT in 1985. Their personal and professional relationship was established and has remained solid over the past 3 decades.

Together they have worked on numerous projects, including the 46664 Mandela Day concert in New York in July 2009, Baxter Theatre and Soweto Theatre shows. Sipho turned 70 in November 2021 and was on the cover of the Dec Jan 2021 / 2022 issue of GQ South Africa.

For 16 years, Martin was BMG/ Sony Music’s Cape Town publicist, working closely with local and international acts, including Vusi Mahlasela, BLK Sonshine, Shayne Ward, Just Jinger, SSQ and John Legend, amongst many more local and international artists.

He was also a partner in SMD Technical, which he helped build up over 15 years and co-founded Crew U.

SMD did parties and events, and they delivered the glitz and glamour to events across the Western Cape. Examples include Sol Kerzner’s New Year’s Eve parties, DJing for Elton John and hundreds of weddings and corporate parties and events. Martin also curated music for many prestigious fashion shows, i.e., The Good Hope Designer Collections, the Nederburg Fashion Show, the Smirnoff International, the J&B Met Best-Dressed Couple, and the honour of working on Miss Namibia for over 21 years, with Mary Reynolds, Conny Maritz and JP Willson.

In 2009 Martin founded Music Exchange (#MEX). This non-profit body organises an annual music conference and monthly masterclasses designed to empower people in the music industry, especially young artists, with the knowledge necessary to turn their passion into a sustainable livelihood.

Music Exchange, recognised as South Africa’s leading independent music conference, has grown significantly and now hosts regular workshops throughout the year, along with leading figures from the world of music.

The conference is held annually in November and has, over the years, brought many highly respected international speakers to Cape Town.

World music leaders include Charles Goldstuck, and Dr Trevor Jones, who Martin manages in South Africa, Trevor is one of the world’s top film composers based in Hollywood and London.

From Australia, Stuart Rubin (former Head of Marketing for BMG) and David Vodika (Chairman of Rubber Records Australia;); and, in 2014, from Germany, Tim Renner, the Minister for Culture for Berlin, and from the United States, Mos Def.

In 2015 #MEX hosted Bryan Michael Cox, the nine-time Grammy winner, and Brandon Bakshi, Head of BMI London. Two major international songwriting camps have also been held

The conference is a meeting of minds and strategic advice and direction regarding talks and masterclasses come from my mentors who help guide the conversation on relevant topics with the express purpose of achieving attainable outcomes for artists, people like Jason Curtis, Lesley Wells, Arthur Goldstuck, Moreira Chonguica, Neill Johnson, John Fishlock and Stephen Werner and Jarrod Aston always have sage input to shape topics.

Martin currently manages Siphokazi Jonas, and Dr Trevor Jones’ work in South Africa and Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse.

Martin also consults with various artists, especially within the Western Cape.

Since May 2023 Martin has a weekly show on Cape Talk called The Business of Entertainment

The Business of Entertainment on Cape Talk, hosted by Martin Myers airs every Thursday at 9 pm with an audience of over 103 000 listeners.

Hosted by Music Exchange founder Martin Myers, this weekly half-hour segment delivers powerful insights into the minds and careers of award-winning creatives, with a strong focus on the business side of the creative industry.

Each episode is a candid, focused conversation between Myers and a creative in the music, theatre, design, sports or media marketing space.

Myers says the conversations are always focused on being entertaining and inspirational, peppered with true stories, first-person accounts, and invaluable tips from the people who’ve made a successful living from their craft.

“We bring key executives and trailblazers (previous guests have included Dr. Trevor Jones – global film composer, Marc Marot – former Managing Director of Island Records, Jason Grishkoff – founder of SubmitHub, renowned music Publisher John Fishlock, SA Music icon Sipho “Hotstix Mabuse and many more) onto the station to delve into every aspect of their entertainment business reality.

All the podcasts are up so go look at the Cape Talk site. The link is below

https://www.capetalk.co.za/podcasts/679/the-business-of-entertainment

We will ultimately unpack what it takes to make a living in this space,” says Myers.

CapeTalk Station Manager Tessa van Staden says CapeTalk is passionate about supporting creatives. “Artists, musicians, sculptors, performers, directors and authors hold a mirror to society to reflect who and what we are,” says Van Staden.

“They play one of the most difficult and important functions, often without the necessary backing and resources. This segment always shares practical tips for those starting in the industry. The ‘Business of Entertainment’ hopes to inspire our audience while championing those who have paved a way in the sector,” she concludes.

For all the business insights you can’t google, don’t miss the ‘Business of Entertainment’ every Thursday at 21:00.

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About Martin Myers:

A UCT graduate and founder of the NPC Music Exchange, publicist and music manager, Martin Myers began his career in the music industry running UCT Radio at the University of Cape Town in 1985.

For 16 years, Martin was BMG/Sony Music’s Cape Town publicist.

In 2009, Martin founded Music Exchange (#MEX). This non-profit body organises an annual music conference and monthly masterclasses designed to empower people in the entertainment industry, especially young artists, with the knowledge to turn their passion into a sustainable livelihood.

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