Top Australian radio, music television and new online media executives will confront the music industry in a panel just announced for the 5th National Entertainment Industry Conference, sponsored by Apple Computer Australia. The fifth of six keynote speakers announced for the event August 2-4 has just been announced and a panel of key players from across the media are confirmed.

Keynote Speaker Dean Buchanan--Group Program Director, DMG Radio Australia-will address the music industry August 3 at Sydney's Superdome Grand Ballroom. It's the same day that ratings come out for the first full period covering their new station NOVA 96.9 in Sydney. DMG has become a driving force in FM radio with their bold acquisitions of key market licenses and their innovative music programming tied to arresting television advertising.

Joining Dean on a panel after his keynote speech-moderated by Keith Welsh, General Manager of The Music Network music industry trade weekly trade magazine-are the following speakers:

JACQUIE RIDDELL-Executive Producer & Creative Director For Channel [V] & MusicMAX, former Network Program Director & Marketing Director Triple J

ADAM JOHNSTONE-- Sydney's MIX 106.5 FM Assistant Program Director & Music Director

MIKE SUMMERS-Group Internet Director of Radio, Austereo Network

HAMISH CAMERON-Chief Executive of thebasement.com.au Online Radio Station

RICHARD KINGSMILL-Triple J Radio's OZ Music Show Host

While Buchanan will analyse new competition in the radio market affecting airplay and how Australian music is benefiting, the panel will address major issues facing both the music and broadcasting industries as well as how new media affects them.

With the addition of new commercial and community radio licenses as well as the expansion of music television via cable and broadcast TV, enhanced opportunities exist for breaking new artists as well as extending the reach of music into new audiences. Will online radio recover from its current slump? Are digital radio and television viable or will they suffer growth at the hands of a bungling government?

These are some of the issues that will be discussed in one of 12 key panels over three days. With over 50 top music and entertainment industry speakers from here and overseas, other panels will deal with an array of topics including downloading music,getting creative record deals, dealing with artist managers, etailing and retailing, online & offline marketing, digital rights management, music on the move with mobile phones and many more key issues.

Early bird rates for this event expire June 30 and are $500 for all three days, $400 for two days or $250 for one day. All details of speakers, topics, times and more are on the conference website http://www.immedia.com.au/entcon or a brochure and registration form can be obtained by emailing info@immedia.com.au or calling Loren on (02) 9557 7766.