MICHAEL LAZARUS

President & CoFounder of OCHO MUSIC GROUP LLC. Originally from Puerto Rico, Michael is a 2X Latin Grammy® Award Winning Mix & Mastering Engineer, Bassist and Producer based in Northern California. Albums he has engineered have won "Best Tropical Latin Album" (2014, 2013), "Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album" (2015), "Best Children's Music Album" (2015). Recently he was nominated as a producer for Cubadisco® 2024 (the "grammys of Cuba") with various records he mixed and mastered nominated for the same awards in 2021 and 2018. His work as a music supervisor includes the films "The House That Jack Built" (2013), "Cherry" (2010) and the Lifetime Movie Network TV exclusive "Little Girl Lost - The Delimar Vera Story" (2008). His other company, Latin Pulse Music, runs a network of Latin Music focused websites offering music production services, music and eBook downloads, Latin Music blogs, and music publishing -- among them www.TIMBA.com (Home of Cuban Music) -- that in terms of volume of content, is arguably the largest Latin Music website on the planet by far. Michael's engineering site can be found at www.LatinMusicMastering.com

Embracing the Evolution: Latin Music's Surge in Sync!

Panel moderated by Michael Lazarus of Ocho Music Group LLC

Production Music Conference (PMC) 2024 Los Angeles 

The Hispanic demographic in the US is witnessing significant growth, with each segment of the Latin American community deeply rooted in its native country's musical heritage. To authentically capture and represent these distinct sounds on screen, Latin Music Supervisors must possess a nuanced understanding of each country's musical traditions and cultural nuances. This panel aims to explore the rich tapestry of Latin music, highlighting the subtle differences and unique characteristics of each country's musical landscape. From traditional rhythms to contemporary trends, participants will gain valuable insights into navigating the evolving landscape of Latin music in sync licensing. Moreover, the emergence of streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video as platforms for international content further underscores the global appeal of Latin music. In addition, the fusion of Latin elements with mainstream pop and urban music has become increasingly prevalent, as American artists seek to connect with the burgeoning Hispanic demographic. This session will examine how this integration is reshaping the music industry and influencing mainstream media. Join us for an enlightening discussion that celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of Latin music and explores its growing impact on the world of media and entertainment.

JODY FRIEDMAN

As CEO & Co-Founder of Ocho Music Group LLC, Jody Friedman helps cultivate this premier music catalog, securing placements in film, TV, trailers, ads, and video games. A Los Angeles-based music supervisor, producer, and award-winning songwriter with over 20 years in the entertainment industry, he is the Music Supervisor for The Bachelor franchise and has worked on projects like Ugly Delicious (Netflix), Generation (HBO Max), and Won’t You Be My Neighbor (Focus Features). A Guild of Music Supervisors member, Jody also founded Elite Music Coaching and Sync Titan—the premier community of Elite Sync Professionals. His music has been featured in major trailers and TV shows, including The Handmaid’s Tale, Picard, Big Sky, and Ray Donovan. Through Collaborate Music, he continues to create high-impact music for trailers and advertising while championing independent artists and expanding Ocho Music Group’s influence in sync licensing.

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