Industry Ink (1/16/13)

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ASCAP’s first showcase of 2013 featured four up-and-coming songwriters, Kelsea Ballerini, Shaunna Bolton, Adam Hambrick and Forest Glen Whitehead, performing in the round at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe on Wednesday, Jan. 9.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Shaunna Bolton, Adam Hambrick, Kelsea Ballerini and Forest Glen Whitehead

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Shaunna Bolton, Adam Hambrick, Kelsea Ballerini and Forest Glen Whitehead

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ScenicCity1Heng Dai Media producers Todd Mayo and John Walker recently announced a new “sister show” to Nashville’s popular Music City Roots series. Scenic City Roots which will premiere in Chattanooga on March 7, 2013. Scenic City Roots will take place monthly, on Thursdays, at Chattanooga music venue Track 29.
Shows will begin at 7 p.m. ET.

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David Dixon

David Dixon


 
Media communications strategist David Dixon has been announced as Country Radio Seminar’s featured daily speaker for Thursday, Feb. 28, during CRS 2013.
Dixon is a partner at Dixon/Davis Media Group, based in Washington, D.C. The company was part of the Obama media team during the 2008 and 2012 elections, where they oversaw television and radio campaigns in Florida, Virginia and North Carolina. As part of the presentation, Dixon will discuss how radio has played an important role in winning recent political campaigns and how it fit into the overall media mix. He will also illustrate how radio is working with television and the growing relationship it has with digital and grassroots media.

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham, Charlie Feldman and Tommy James.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham, Charlie Feldman and Tommy James.


Rock legend Tommy James was recently recognized by BMI for 22 million combined radio performances of his hit songs “Draggin’ The Line,” “Crimson and Clover,” “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Mony Mony” and “Tighter Tighter.”  James was presented with five BMI Million-Air Awards in New York.  James stated, “I was very honored to receive the BMI Million-Air awards, I have been a member for so long it feels like family. My thanks again to BMI.”

Google Play Using HFA

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imgresThe Harry Fox Agency, Inc. (HFA) is working with Google Play to deliver rights management services for its digital music service for Android devices and the web.
HFA’s rights management service, Slingshot, will support Google Play as it taps into HFA’s comprehensive rights database and extensive publisher relationships to facilitate the licensing of music for use in its music locker and music store. HFA will also provide license administration and process royalty distributions to publishers.
HFA_LOGO“HFA continues to forge relationships that join content creators and digital music distributors in win-win opportunities. We are thrilled that Google is developing new music publishing revenue streams and are delighted to streamline their content clearance process so that they can focus on providing their customers with the best service possible,” said Michael Simon, President and CEO of HFA.
Google Play offers digital music, movies, books, magazines, apps and games for Android devices and on the web. More than 1.3 million new Android devices are activated each day around the world.
 

YouTube Educates Nashville Publishers about Site Monetization

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From left to right:  Walter Campbell (AIMP board member) ; Kerry O'Neil (AIMP board member); David Cook (moderator); Scott Sellwood (Rightsflow/Google), Patrick Sullivan (Rightsflow/Google), Jill Napier (Administrative Director, AIMP); David Preston (AIMP board member); Eli Ball (Treasurer, AIMP); MIchael Kauffman (Rightsflow/Google).  Photo: Heather Cook.

Pictured (L-R): Walter Campbell (AIMP board), Kerry O’Neil (AIMP board), David Cook (moderator), Scott Sellwood (Rightsflow/Google), Patrick Sullivan (Rightsflow/Google), Jill Napier (Admin Director, AIMP), David Preston (AIMP board), Eli Ball (Treasurer, AIMP), Michael Kauffman (Rightsflow/Google). Photo: Heather Cook.


The AIMP hosted Rightsflow/Google representatives yesterday (Jan. 14) in what was a second Nashville gathering to discuss monetizing published copyrights on YouTube. The sold-out presentation, titled Mo’ Money for YOUR Music, was held at BMI’s 6th floor theater as part of a series to inform and educate publishers about YouTube’s Content ID system.
Scott Sellwood, Strategic Partner Development Manager, YouTube, led the Nashville meeting with help from Patrick Sullivan, founder of RightsFlow and now Strategic Partner Development Manager at Google.
Since last year, publishers have been able to elect the Harry Fox Agency to manage YouTube revenue, or enter into direct agreements with the audiovisual provider themselves. Either way, a covenant to not sue is signed upon partnering, releasing litigation rights to pending or future suits against YouTube and its owner, Google.
As explained, the Content ID ‘backpage’ is a tool designed for publishers to manage, monetize, and view statistics for video uploads containing controlled copyrights. Harry Fox-affiliated publishers, however, surrender individual control of this operation to the agency.
Potential revenue for publishers flows from advertisements surrounding videos, which are either uploaded as user-generated covers, user-generated uploads containing a sound recording or licensed music videos. Publisher revenue for licensed music videos is intended to be paid directly to labels according to VEVO and Warner agreements. As of now, Universal is the only label that has agreed to disseminate these payments, including retroactively (albeit to 2010).
“If publishers were actually getting money from labels, we think they would be more enthusiastic about partnering with us,” said Sellwood of the issue.
The presentation continued on to include a variety of advertising opportunities available once any copyright holder has chosen to monetize a work, via Content ID. For more details, see the video below.
Advertisements were said to rotate between videos on an auction-based system according to algorithms that focus heavily on demographics of a viewer. This brought concerns from audience members about exclusive artist endorsement deals. Sellwood noted that, although limited, certain url blocks may be useful for such branding conflicts.
Perhaps the most important concern has been that YouTube is able to begin monetizing a video with clearances from any one copyright holder. Since the video site has seen a 25 percent increase in traffic since January 2012 to nearly 4 billion views a day, the urgency to lay stake to the revenue generated from these partial clearances is as pressing as ever.
Of note, performance fees for digital sites, including YouTube, are paid separate from ad revenue in accordance with negotiated agreements from the PROs. As of this year, Sony/ATV brought this digital performance negotiation in-house from ASCAP and BMI.
The AIMP will host a gathering every month, with alternating luncheons and panel discussions. Find more information here.
Read MusicRow’s previous feature on YouTube royalties and pick up a copy of our latest Digital Toolbox print magazine, focusing on today’s music industry digital landscape.
YouTube video

BMI Signs Black River Artist

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Pictured (L-R): Penny Everhard (Associate Director Writer/ Publisher Relations, BMI); John Alexander (Vice President Artist Management); Sarah Darling, Robert Carlton (Publishing Assistant and Catalog Manager); and Celia Froehlig (VP Publishing/Black River Entertainment)

Pictured (L-R): Penny Everhard (Associate Director Writer/ Publisher Relations, BMI); John Alexander (Vice President, Artist Management); Sarah Darling, Robert Carlton (Publishing Assistant and Catalog Manager); and Celia Froehlig (VP Publishing/Black River Entertainment)


Black River Entertainment artist Sarah Darling recently stopped by BMI’s Nashville offices to officially become a BMI songwriter.
Darling is currently recording her forthcoming album with producer Dann Huff. A digital EP titled Home to Me EP is expected Jan. 29, featuring a studio and an acoustic version of the title track and current single.
She has been a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry, and in December 2012, Darling partnered with MoonPie for a yearlong national campaign.

American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest To Wrap

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LCAmerican Songwriter magazine will close its 2013 March/April Amateur Lyric Contest this Tuesday (Jan. 15) at midnight.
The contest, now in 27th year, has six bi-monthly contests and an annual Grand Prize Winner.
The Annual Grand Prize winner will be awarded a co-writing session with Lee Brice, who co-wrote his own No. 1 hit, “Woman Like You,” in addition to his co-write for Garth Brooks’ 2007 No. 1 comeback “More Than A Memory.” Additionally, they will receive a $4925 MSRP J-200 Acoustic Gibson Guitar and a Shure SM58 Microphone from contest sponsors.
Judges include Scott Billington (Rounder Records), Tom DeSavia (Songs Music Publishing), Tim Hunze (Parallel Music), Ali Tamposi (Songwriter), Carter Little (35Sound), Dave Barnes (Artist/Songwriter), Caine O’Rear (American Songwriter), Marshall Altman (Producer/Songwriter), Lee Dannay (Warner-Chappell Music), John Ritchie (American Songspace), Sue Drew (ASCAP), Jocelyn Harms (SESAC) and Bradley Collins (BMI).
September/October’s 2010 first place winner, Lance Carpenter, recently signed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with Songs of Bigger Picture.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Considers Expansion

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Sony ATV LogoAfter Sony purchased EMI Music Publishing for $2.2 billion earlier this year, it seems that Sony’s Nashville publishing arm is looking to expand its offices.
“We are looking at all options,” Jimmy Asci, a New York-based spokesman, told the Nashville Business Journal. “This is all a result of the EMI acquisition. Our company has grown tremendously, and as a result we are going to have significantly more people in Nashville because, for Sony/ATV, our worldwide administration and many finance functions are headquartered in Nashville. The space that those functions currently exist in are not big enough to handle the additional headcount.”
Sony/ATV is considering several options to increase their space, including leasing current office space and the possibility of building a larger office facility in, or near downtown Nashville. Sony/ATV’s finance and administration operations are currently located at 65 Music Square West on Music Row.
Asci said Sony/ATV’s creative division, led by Troy Tomlinson, would stay in its current location at 8 Music Square West.

ASCAP Offers License For Small Business Websites

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ascapASCAP has a new license geared toward small businesses and individuals who want to stream music on their website and mobile apps. The ASCAP Play Music License is designed to make obtaining an ASCAP license easier, more affordable and virtually maintenance-free.
The Play Music license is for web or mobile apps with fewer than 30,000 user visits per month, and less than $2,000 per month in revenue. The license costs $240 per year.
“At ASCAP, we want to make it as simple and cost-effective as possible to encourage the use of our members’ music,” commented Vice President of New Media Licensing Matt DeFilippis. “Music adds tremendous value to websites and mobile apps. We’re excited to offer a convenient way for individuals and small businesses to benefit from the use of ASCAP music while fairly compensating our songwriter, composer, lyricist and music publisher members.”
ASCAP licenses a catalog of over 8.5 million music works. Details about the new agreement are available at www.ascap.com/licensing/digital.

Patrick Joseph Music Adds Creative Manager

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Stevie Erickson

Stevie Erickson


Pat Higdon, President of Patrick Joseph Music, has added Stevie Erickson as Creative Manager. This is the first hire for the company since it re-launched in 2012. Erickson will be responsible for artist/writer development for the company’s roster, which includes Matraca Berg, George Teren and Melissa Peirce. She will also continue working the heritage catalogs, including songs from Gary Harrison, Tim Mensy, Troy Verges and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, among others.
Erickson’s business career began at EMI Music Publishing, where she worked her way from the tape room to the position of Creative Manager. She later worked for ole Songs, Inc.
“I’m really excited to have Stevie on my team!” said Higdon via a release. “She will be a real asset as we move forward and develop writers and writer/artists.”
“I feel excited and very blessed to be working with Pat and the PJM writers,” said Erickson. “I’m looking forward to what 2013 will bring for us all.”

Nashville Songwriter Celebrates 20 No. 1 Hits

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Photo (L-R): Mike Sistad (ASCAP Senior Creative Director), Barry Stock, Adam Gontier, Craig Wiseman, Neil Sanderson, Brad Walst and Seth England (Big Loud Shirt). Photo: ASCAP

Photo (L-R): Mike Sistad (ASCAP Senior Creative Director), Barry Stock, Adam Gontier, Craig Wiseman, Neil Sanderson, Brad Walst and Seth England (Big Loud Shirt). Photo: ASCAP


Songwriter Craig Wiseman celebrated his 20th No. 1 hit with Canadian rock band Three Days Grace‘s single, “Chalk Outline.” Wiseman, along with family and friends, gathered at the band’s recent show at Nashville’s Exit/In to commemorate his achievement.
Wiseman won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2005 for Tim McGraw‘s No. 1 hit “Live Like You Were Dying.” He also earned the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year trophy for the same song in 2004. In 2009, Wiseman received the Nashville Songwriters Association’s highest honor, Songwriter of the Decade.
Wiseman has had over 100 singles thus far in his career and more than 300 cuts.
 
 

ASCAP Announces Creative Team, Appoints Director of Strategic Services

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LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin

LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin


ASCAP adds Nashville music industry veteran Kele Currier as Director of Strategic Services. Currier’s appointment coincides with the elevation of Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan to oversee ASCAP’s Nashville operations and lead the creative team of Mike Sistad, Ryan Beuschel, Robert Filhart, Evyn Mustoe and Anna Maki. Although Martin and Phelan have been working in this capacity for some time, this is the first official announcement of their expanded leadership roles.
“Michael and LeAnn have consistently proven their excellence as a creative resource to the Nashville community and their commitment to delivering exceptional service to ASCAP’s members,” says ASCAP Executive VP of Membership, Randy Grimmett. “We are excited to welcome Kele Currier, whose expertise in royalty collection and copyright administration will only enhance the outstanding level of service our Nashville team endeavors to provide.”
Kele Currier

Kele Currier


Currier’s 19 years of industry experience includes copyright administration, licensing, and royalty collections for catalog acquisitions and administration clients. She joined Toronto-based ole as Director of Administration in 2010 and established the company’s first Nashville-based administration presence. Prior to joining ole, the Belmont graduate was recruited by ASCAP hit songwriter Craig Wiseman to help start his publishing administration company, Big Loud Bucks. Her business experience also includes copyright administration and licensing positions with several well-established local publishers, as well as, a four-year stint as audit manager for Integrated Copyright Group.
Currier is a board member of the Copyright Society of the South, and a member of SOURCE, and the CMA.