Industry Ink (12/2/2011)

BMI has promoted Samantha Cox to Assistant VP of Writer/Publisher Relations, it was announced yesterday (12/1) by BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations Charlie Feldman. Cox is based in the company’s New York office and was previously BMI’s Executive Director of Writer/Publisher Relations. Cox joined BMI as an intern in 1996, and has worked her way through the Writer/Publisher Relations department since then. Her career also includes time with KUTZ/Austin, PolyGram Records, and operating her own promotions company.

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The National Music Publishers’ Association has announced the hiring of Allison Halataei as VP for Government Affairs. She joins the NMPA from the Committee on the Judiciary in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Parliamentarian. In her new role, Halataei will serve as the NMPA’s chief liaison to Capitol Hill and federal agencies, overseeing all legislative and regulatory policy development on behalf of the music publishing business. “We are excited to welcome Allison to our team,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite. “She brings to our organization and its members extensive experience in both issue substance and legislative process. She will be an invaluable leader for ourindustry in the coming years.”

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Leslie Barr has joined the staff of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, as Director of the live and touring department. “I have known Leslie for many years, and her knowledge, experience and positive attitude are going to be an essential part of the reinvention of our live and touring department. We are all excited to be working with her as we move Local 257 into the future and continue to expand our services,” said Dave Pomeroy, president of the Nashville Musicians Association. Barr has 15 years music industry experience, most recently with Gibson Guitar Corporation, and prior to that with Bug Music, Harlan Howard Songs and Forerunner Music Group.