Finneas to Keynote the 2026 State of Music in Media Conference by the Guild of Music Supervisors

Multi-hyphenate artist Finneas has been tapped as the keynote speaker for the 12th annual State of Music in Media Conference, hosted by the Guild of Music Supervisors. The two-time Academy Award and 11-time Grammy winner will take the stage on Saturday, August 15, at 10:30 a.m. at West Los Angeles College in Culver City, California.

The keynote presentation, titled “Inside the Importance of Music and Its Powerful Connection to Story: A Conversation with Finneas O’Connell,” will be facilitated by veteran writer and performer Diallo Riddle.

“We are incredibly honored to host Finneas as our keynote speaker,” remarked Jonathan Leahy, president of the Guild of Music Supervisors. “His career perfectly encapsulates how individual perspectives and unique voices fuel the creative process, eventually weaving together into the powerful tapestry of modern storytelling.”

The conference agenda is packed with industry insights, ranging from masterclasses on music clearance hurdles and strategies for pitching music to supervisors, to exclusive panels featuring 2026 Emmy nominees. Confirmed panelists include creative heavyweights such as Andrew Bird, Nora Felder, Kris Bowers, and Carlos Rafael Rivera, among many others.

Attendance is restricted to Guild members and invited guests. For further details or to secure your pass, please visit the official GMS Media Conference portal.

Founded in 2010, the Guild of Music Supervisors serves as a vital non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and elevating the profession of music supervision across all media landscapes.