Backstage Pass: Artist Management Demystified

What do you get when you put an ex-banker and DJ with an entrepreneurial spirit together: a passionate visionary with the skill set to get things done! Omar is a results-driven music executive with just under a decade of experience in the development, marketing, and management of artists.  He is the founder and principal artist manager at When I Grow Up Management – a boutique artist management company based in Toronto, ON.

Having worked across various genres as an artist manager – Folk, EDM, Finger-Style, Hip-Hop, Soca, Afrobeats and Country – Omar has a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in the music release cycle, booking and international tour management, sync, brand partnerships, grants/funding and more.  Fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish, Omar navigates the global music scene with a unique perspective and is passionate about helping artists connect with diverse audiences while also fostering cross-cultural collaborations.  As a seasoned grant writer, Omar has successfully secured more than $2.5 million dollars in provincial and federal artist funding in Canada over the last 5 years.

Prior to joining the music industry, Omar worked in banking in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands at one of the top financial institutions in the world. Doing everything from project management to co-managing a $2B International Lending Portfolio, he gained strong analytical and problem-solving skills while honing his natural ability to develop and maintain relationships.

Rebecca Windjack Bio:

Rebecca Windjack is an artist manager and director of artist relations at Birthday Cake; a Winnipeg based artist management, record label and publishing company working with some of Canada’s top artists including The Brothers Landreth, Leith Ross, Begonia, Field Guide, Fontine, Mouraine, Kris Ulrich, K-Riz and so many more. Rebecca has been working in arts, entertainment and music for over 14 years. Beginning as a backstage festival volunteer, later working in radio, film, and as the Program and Education Coordinator for SaskMusic. In 2016 she gained international experience with Devil Duck Records in Hamburg Germany, before returning to Canada to work with Pandyamonium (now ArtHaus) and artists like Serena Ryder and Dear Rouge. In 2018, she became day to day manager for The Sheepdogs during the release of their album “Changing Colours.” At Birthday Cake since 2020, Rebecca has been pivotal in launching Leith Ross’s career, overseeing the release of their breakout song “We’ll Never Have Sex” and their debut album “To Learn,” along with numerous sold-out shows across North America and Europe. Over the years Rebecca has been invited to share her experience as a panel speaker, juror, and mentor for numerous industry events and organizations. In 2022, she joined the advisory board for Music Canada, and recently was elected on to the MMF Canada board where continues to serve the community as a mentor and advocate for equity, accountability, sustainability and wellness within Canadian Music.