The Pilot Agency

s the changing face of the music industry not as a challenge but as an opportunity. Talent on the company’s roster is diverse, ranging from rock artists such as Gilby Clarke, Helix and Fozzy to pop artists such as Elise Estrada, Canadian chart topper Alannah Myles, platinum recording artist Rex Goudie and emerging artists like Billy The Kid and Songs From A Room. The agency is known for it’s versatility; whether it’s designing events for major corporations (Molson, Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Harry Rosen), booking bands to set the mood for major festivals, gaining exclusive booking rights for emerging artists, or giving undiscovered talent the guidance needed to navigate through the often cutthroat industry. Founded by Joel Baskin in Ottawa, Ontario, Baskin wanted to develop his passion for music into a viable business opportunity. With his history as a musician and experience in music retail, Baskin found himself taking initiative on a project with Coca-Cola, seeking out key talent from the show Rockstar Supernova to coordinate a promotional event in Ottawa. Baskin quickly learned the trade by representing up and coming bands and developing a name for himself as the go-to contact for promotion and booking events. Since that time he has established a large national network of promoters, talent buyers, club owners and booking agents. Baskin has developed a reputation for being honest and working with integrity, in addition to having an inherent knowledge of his markets and the best acts to bring into them. The agency has recently booked and programmed music festivals such as Fredericton’s FredRock and Chatham Rockstock, as well as the College Arena Tour for famed rapper Snoop Dogg. In addition to the companies work in Canada, The Pilot Agency books bands into events in Europe and the US. The Pilot Agency is now located in heart of Toronto at their new Queen West location and 2010 promises to be their busiest year yet; producing events including The Satellite Spoke Club Series at the Vancouver 2010 games, the 2010 Juno Awards, the Banff World Television Festival and the recently announced Montreal Grand Prix. The agency will also be continuing their programming of the industry’s breakout music festivals, as well as their promotion of exclusive corporate special events. This will also be the year that The Pilot Agency showcase debuts at Canadian Music Week.