Mechanical Licensing Collective Adds Three To Leadership Team

Pictured: Benjamin, Kilgore, Russell

The Mechanical Licensing Collective has hired several new staffers who will help lead the company’s finance, public relations and rights management efforts: Monique Benjamin, as Head of Finance, Natalie Kilgore, as Head of Public Relations, and Maurice Russell, as Head of Rights Management.

As Head of Finance, Benjamin will lead The MLC’s internal budgeting process, track The MLC’s operational costs, and lead the company’s efforts to set up its initial internal financial policies and processes. She brings more than 18 years of experience to The MLC, and launched her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before transitioning to the music industry. Benjamin held various finance-related roles at Word Entertainment and Warner Music Nashville, eventually rising through the ranks to become Warner’s Senior Vice President of Finance before joining the MLC.

In her new role as Head of Public Relations, Kilgore will oversee The MLC’s external communications. A long-time creative champion, she brings nearly two decades of publicity experience in the music and entertainment industries. Her professional endeavors include launching the in-house publicity departments for both the Big Machine Label Group and BBR Music Group, and serving as the Communications Director for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).

As The MLC’s Head of Rights Management, Russell will lead The MLC’s internal team of publishing experts, as well as The MLC’s publisher relations efforts, ensuring that publishers always have a direct line of communication with the company. He will also coordinate The MLC’s operational relationship with the Harry Fox Agency, the primary outside vendor for administration. Russell most recently served as the CEO/Founder of consultancy firm Media Rights Management where he helped his clients navigate the industry’s growing licensing and data challenges. A recognized industry expert in matters pertaining to music publishing administration, he has served on advisory groups at the U.S. Copyright Office and the U.S. Patent and Trade Office, and has also been a long-time participant in the Digital Data Exchange, the preeminent music industry standards-setting organization.

“I’m excited to welcome three new executives to The MLC’s leadership team as we continue to build our organization,” said The MLC’s Chief Executive Officer Kris Ahrend. “Monique, Natalie, and Maurice each possess many years of experience working in the music industry, they are recognized leaders in their fields, and they are well-respected by their peers.  I am grateful that they have decided to join The MLC.”