Retail as a Stage: Merch, Culture & Artist Identity
Summary
Retail has become more than a revenue stream. It’s a cultural touchpoint and a powerful platform for artist marketing. This panel explores how brands and bands collaborate to extend an artist’s presence far beyond the stage through merch, in-store activations, exclusive drops, and co-branded campaigns. Hear how retail partnerships are shaping music fandom, fueling discovery, and embedding artists deeper into culture. We’ll break down how artists are leveraging retail to build lasting fan engagement.
- Format: Panel
- Category: Panel
- Event Type: panel
- Presented By: n/a
Contributors
- Gabby Pharms
- Christina Meloche
- Mikey Seitis
- Briana Farrell
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