Press Release
| Music publishers provide model of success for music industry |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 17, 2009 Diversity and creativity keys to ongoing success, NMPA CEO says at annual industry gathering in New York City WASHINGTON—David Israelite, President and CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), today said the music publishing industry is providing the model for the rest of the music industry on how to succeed in the digital age. Addressing a packed New York City conference center of more than 400 songwriters and music publishers from around the country assembled for the NMPA’s annual membership meeting, Israelite applauded publishers for their creativity in pursuing income streams for their songwriters’ works as new business models evolve. “When everything else is peeled back, at its core, music is about the song,” Israelite said. “Everything else flows from that. Songwriters and music publishers will always have a leading role, but only if we are vigilant. As access and distribution models shift, the publishing community is working aggressively and successfully to diversify and expand revenue on behalf of its songwriters’ work. The National Music Publishers’ Association and its leadership likewise are working aggressively in the courts and the Congress to make sure the legal system and our nation’s policies maintain an environment in which that is possible.” Israelite identified multiple priorities for the trade association this year, including advocating for federal legislation to provide songwriters a performance royalty for audio-visual downloads, and taking on YouTube for its ongoing facilitation of copyright infringement online. Israelite’s annual state of the industry address kicked off an event that also featured a keynote speech by Mark Helprin, American novelist and journalist, and a performance by NMPA’s 2009 Songwriter Icon Award honoree Kara DioGuardi, the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and newest judge on “American Idol”. The NMPA also distributed 50 Gold and Platinum Notes, songwriting awards for songs that have reached gold or platinum certified sales. Attending recipients included Wyclef Jean for “Hips Don’t Lie”, James Ho for “Green Light” and Toby Gad for “If I Were a Boy”. About the NMPA Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is a trade association representing American music publishers. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and their songwriter partners in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights. About the Songwriter Icon Award The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) established the Songwriter Icon Award in 2006 to recognize outstanding songwriters for personal achievement and who personify the vision of NMPA and the goals of its members. Former recipients include Jimmy Webb, Neil Sedaka and Amy Lee. |
