Breaking Down Racial Barriers

Merchandising is one of the most consistent and controllable revenue streams available to artists, and managers are the ones who turn that potential into real, sustainable income. It is brand, story, identity, economics, and audience connection working at the same time. Today’s session examines how managers design, plan, and execute merch with intention so it supports both artistic narrative and financial growth.

We are proud to welcome Alex Harbison, Production and Brand Strategy Director at Elevated Concepts. With more than a decade in product development, D2C strategy, Shopify management, touring merch, and eCommerce ex*****on, Alex brings the cohort the knowledge of an industry professional who has guided major artists and streetwear brands through campaigns that honour creative voice while meeting commercial goals.

Alex’s approach centres on turning artistic vision into product that resonates with fans and performs financially. He works closely with artist teams, marketing departments, and creative leads to build merchandise lines that feel authentic, align with audience preferences, and maintain business integrity.

The session explores how merch functions as both a revenue engine and a storytelling tool. Participants examine product selection, pricing, inventory planning, and the eCommerce pipeline from concept to fulfillment. Alex also outlines how managers strengthen sales at live shows through limited drops, bundles, strategic placement, and mindful staffing.

Examples from artists like Drake, The Weeknd, and Daniel Caesar show how merch can evolve into full lifestyle brands and long-term cultural assets. Alex closes by reminding the cohort that a manager who understands how to turn moments into merchandise can dramatically influence an artist’s independence, visibility, and financial stability.

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📍 F.A.M.E. (Foundations and Acceleration for Management Excellence)
Rooted in Culture. Driven by Excellence.
🔗 www.bdrb.ca/fame

Live performance remains one of the most powerful engines of career growth. Understanding how touring, booking, and live strategy intersect with artist development is essential for every manager stepping into the next stage of their career. Today’s session will give the F.A.M.E. cohort an inside look at how the live sector makes decisions, builds opportunity, and elevates the artists who are ready for it.

BDRB is pleased to welcome Tao-Ming Lau, Booking Agent at Paquin Artists Agency and Founder of Blue Crane Creative, a platform dedicated to uplifting women, artists of colour, and 2SLGBTQIA+ musicians across North America and beyond.

Tao’s roster includes some of the most compelling voices in contemporary music: Mustafa, Tanya Tagaq, Tegan and Sara, Ash, Wild Rivers, Priyanka, James Vincent McMorrow, Begonia, Kiesza, Tia Wood, TOBi, Billianne, Avenoir, Logan Staats, Ikky, and others. Through Blue Crane Creative, she has programmed Pride Toronto, and curated events for Nuit Blanche, the Royal Ontario Museum, TIFF, and other major cultural institutions.

Her leadership extends across the industry. She has served on the boards of the Polaris Music Prize and the Canadian Live Music Association, and was named a Rising Star in Toronto Life’s 50 Most Influential Torontonians list in 2018. Her background includes work with Billions (Chicago), Universal Music Canada, and deep roots in Vancouver on the traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

As a q***r woman of colour, Tao’s work centres on opening doors and building stronger infrastructure for underrepresented talent. Her session will highlight how managers can position artists for meaningful live opportunities, how relationships with agents evolve, and how development goals align with touring strategy.

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📍 F.A.M.E. (Foundations and Acceleration for Management Excellence)
Rooted in Culture. Driven by Excellence.
🔗 www.bdrb.ca/fame

For emerging managers, access and visibility are everything. Conferences, festivals, and industry events aren’t just networking opportunities — they’re classrooms, incubators, and launchpads for meaningful relationships.

The F.A.M.E. cohort learned from David “Click” Cox, a respected figure whose work has shaped the Canadian music landscape from the inside out.

A member of the MMVA-winning and JUNO-nominated group The Maximum Definitive, David built his career through decades of innovation and leadership. His early work with REMG Promotions, BMG Music Canada, and later as an A&R at Universal Music Canada established him as a connector and builder of talent.

While at Universal, he founded the Stylus Awards, recognizing Canadian Hip-Hop, R&B, and the DJs who move the culture forward. Today, as founder of CLK Creative Works, he manages artists, consults, and produces film projects — continuing a lifelong mission to amplify Canadian Black music excellence.

David is also the co-founder of Breaking Down Racial Barriers (BDRB), a national initiative that sparked a historic conversation on anti-Black racism in the Canadian music industry. The BDRB Roundtables and Reports have become a catalyst for structural change, guiding organizations toward measurable, equitable action.

In this session, David shared strategies for navigating conferences and industry events with purpose — how to build relationships, identify opportunities, and turn access into advancement. His approach reminds participants that visibility without strategy is fleeting, but relationships built on intention create careers that last.

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📍 F.A.M.E. (Foundations & Acceleration for Management Excellence)
Rooted in Culture. Driven by Excellence.
🔗 www.bdrb.ca/fame