Where is an artist’s next audience — and how do you know where to look for it?

That question was at the centre of EMEE Forum 2026 in Dublin, which brought together music export offices from across Europe to look at audience development, international growth and the tools artists need to make smarter decisions about new markets.

As a member of the European Music Exporters Exchange network, We Move Music Croatia joined a series of discussions and working sessions on how artists can turn the growing amount of audience data available to them into a meaningful international strategy.

Turning audience data into international strategy

Sessions such as “What Does the Artist Need?” and “Mapping the Audiences” focused on how audience data can be turned into practical guidance for an artist’s next steps.

Entering a new market does not automatically mean building an audience there. Data on where listeners are based, where interest is growing and which markets are already showing potential can help artists decide where to focus their efforts.

European music export offices also exchanged experiences and examples of good practice, from connecting artists with festivals, media and industry professionals to improving access to useful market information. These insights can inform everything from promotion and digital campaigns to showcase appearances, touring and long-term development in a specific market.

Building new tools for artists and music export

Part of the Forum programme focused on developing new ideas within the EMEE network, including concepts for a future Creative Europe call.

One of the ideas discussed involves a collaboration with Music Tech Europe, bringing together music export expertise and the technology sector. The goal is to develop a platform that could help artists and music professionals make better use of audience data and digital tools, identify promising new markets and plan international activities more strategically.

For WMMC, EMEE Forum 2026 was also an opportunity to exchange knowledge with fellow European export offices, discuss shared challenges and strengthen cooperation on future initiatives supporting the international development of European artists.