Emma Cordell is the Director of Media & Partnerships at Downtown Music. Here, she oversees media, events, and partnerships across the core divisions of the Downtown group, which serve business clients, creators, and artists in 145 countries.

With a career spanning over a decade in the industry, Cordell’s music career began as an intern for legendary house record label, Strictly Rhythm before moving on to become a music publicist at various promotion agencies, including Sliding Doors and Listen Up. Over the years Cordell has created and led on a number of high-profile, global electronic artist release campaigns, from legendary New York house acts, Masters at Work, Kenny Dope and Roger Sanchez through to Tiesto, Loco Dice, Agoria and Skream.

In 2018, Cordell took on the role of PR Manager for Amazon-owned Audible, where she oversaw audiobook and podcast campaigns for the likes of David Hasselhoff, Dame Kelly Holmes and Colin Morgan. Cordell founded her own artist management company in 2016, where she managed four electronic music producers, including Curtis Gabriel. More recently, Cordell rebranded the company in 2021 to Youtan Music and currently manages Yorkshire rap pioneer and ‘Best Newcomer’ awardee at the Northern Music Awards, Chiedu Oraka.

Cordell joined Downtown-owned b2b distributor, FUGA in 2022 as Senior Communications Manager and was quickly promoted the following year to Director of Media & Partnerships at parent company, Downtown. She currently oversees media strategy, events and partnerships for Downtown and its divisions across Publishing, Distribution and Artist & Label Services and CD Baby. Her core responsibilities are to amplify Downtown’s global brand presence across various media channels, owned-content marketing and strategic partnerships that drive growth and create value for the company.

Cordell has featured on Music Ally’s podcast, spoken on panels for the BRIT School, The Great Escape and New York Music Month in conjunction with the Mayor’s office and became a mentor in 2023 and 2025 for ESEA Music, the non-profit community group for East and South East Asian communities in the music industry.

Imposter syndrome is common across electronic music, from DJs and producers to managers, label executives, and founders. In an industry shaped by rapid change, high visibility, and constant comparison, many professionals experience moments of self-doubt, even as they build meaningful careers.

We want to reframe imposter syndrome not as a personal failure, but as a shared experience that can be understood and managed.

Artists and industry leaders will explore how these feelings show up at different career stages, how they can impact creativity and decision-making, and how learning, perspective, and support can turn uncertainty into confidence. Come and learn how you can own your seat at the table.