Marlton, NJ – April 5, 2010: NARM, the music business association, announces that James Diener, CEO/President of A&M/Octone Records, Universal Music Group, will deliver the Opening Keynote Presentation on Sunday, May 16, at the Association’s Annual Convention at the Hilton Chicago.

A&M/Octone is a joint venture with IGA/Universal Music Group, and home to Pop and Rock superstars, including multi-Platinum-selling Maroon 5; Platinum-selling Alt-Rock act Flyleaf; Gold-certified 
Rap-Rockers Hollywood Undead; acclaimed Hip Hop/Reggae artist, K’Naan; and most recently, the new band, Paper Tongues. Diener launched and became CEO/President of Octone Records in 2000, while simultaneously holding the position of Senior VP of A&R and marketing for The RCA Music Group, a division of what was then SonyBMG Entertainment. While in this role, Diener signed and developed Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw.

NARM President Jim Donio says, “I am excited by the opportunity to welcome James to the NARM stage for the first time. He brings a wealth of business and creative experience to the table, and yet represents a fresh, new breed of industry leadership and viewpoints.”

“I am so pleased to be invited by NARM to offer my perspectives on the modern day entrepreneurial music company and how we arrived at where we are today,” says Diener, “I also look forward to providing a candid exploration of myths, facts and eventual reality regarding 360 deals and their evolving usage in the current music industry climate. These deals have generated lively debate and there’s been a 
fair amount of misunderstanding of the theory and practice behind their implementation. I hope to demystify some commonly held misconceptions.”

Prior to his dual status as label head of Octone and SonyBMG SVP, Diener was the VP of A&R
and Marketing at Columbia Records/Sony Music, where he worked with such multi-platinum and developing artists as Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash, Black Crowes, 
The Jayhawks, Tony Bennett, Roger Waters, Chris Whitley, Iron Maiden, Terence Trent D’Arby, and New Kids On The Block, among others. Diener began his career in 1991 at Columbia Records. 
Previously, Diener held various industry positions, including personal management associate and recording engineer. 

The subject of a 2007 Harvard Business School case study, he has been a guest speaker at New York University, Harvard Business School, Wharton School of Business, Berklee School Of Music and Benjamin N. Cordoza School Of Law. He is an accredited record producer and voting member of both NARAS and The Academy of Magical Arts. Diener graduated with honors in 1991 from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, with a Bachelor of Arts in both Economics and Sociology.

About NARM: NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) advances the promotion, marketing, distribution and sale of music by providing members with diverse meeting and networking opportunities, information and education resources, and advocacy for their common interests. NARM is based in Marlton, New Jersey. www.narm.com.

Media Contact: Marla Cimini, 856.616.1194, cimini@narm.com