The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) held its second annual Indie Music Publishing Summit yesterday (June 12) at the 3 West Club in New York City, where a sold-out crowd of independent publishers, music supervisors, artists, and other rights-holders participated in a spirited conversation around the future of music rights. Highlights from the Summit are below; to download hi-res photos from each panel, click here.

Lauren Christy, an acclaimed songwriter and producer who has created hits for Bebe Rexha, Avril Lavigne, and many more; John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC; and Elizabeth Moody, Vice President of Global Content Licensing at Pandora, all sat for Keynote Interviews during the Summit. Christy discussed her journey to becoming an in-demand songwriter and producer, from her work with The Matrix on Avril Lavigne’s #1 hits “Complicated,” “Sk8r Boi” and “I’m with You” to her recent smash for Bebe Rexha and G Eazy, “Me, Myself & I.” Josephson provided an update on SESAC’s current initiatives, and Moody discussed the work-life balance of being a mother and a major music executive as well as the current state of Pandora.

AIMP President Michael Eames of PEN Music Group (left) with acclaimed songwriter and producer Lauren Christy, who sat for an Artist Keynote Interview and performed at the Summit. Photo Credit: Gary Gershoff for AIMP.

Variety Senior Music Editor Jem Aswad (left) conducts a Keynote Interview with John Josephson of SESAC. Photo Credit: Gary Gershoff for AIMP.

AIMP New York Executive Director Alisa Coleman of ABKCO Music (left) conducts a Keynote Interview with Elizabeth Moody of Pandora. Photo Credit: Gary Gershoff for AIMP.

The 3 West Club Ballroom played host to all three keynotes as well as a variety of in-depth panels including US State of the Industry, International State of the Industry, The Future Foretold?, and Indie Perspective. During the US State of the Industry panel, representatives from BMI, Music Asset Management, the NMPA, SESAC, and SONA all provided updates on their organization’s activities, praising the Music Modernization Act and urging its passage.

US State of the Industry panel – From left: Songwriter Michelle Lewis of SONA, Mary Jo Mennella of Music Asset Management, Alison Smith of BMI, AIMP Vice President Teri Nelson Carpenter of Reel Muzik Werks, Kelli Turner of SESAC, and Amelia Wang-Binder of the NMPA. Photo Credit: Gary Gershoff for AIMP.

Running concurrently with the Ballroom programming, the 3 West Club Salon featured several panels of its own, including Digital Tools of the Trade, The Changing Face of Blanket Licensing and Its Impact on Music Supervision in the UK, US Music Supervisors, New Revenue Models, and a CISAC Update from AIMP Vice President Teri Nelson Carpenter. The room proved to be a lively locale, with debates over “asking for permission vs. asking for forgiveness” at Digital Tools of the Trade and worldwide blanket licensing for music in television shows at The Changing Face of Blanket Licensing.

New Revenue Models panel – From left: Paul DeGooyer of Peloton, Deborah Evans of Tracklib, Nik McLeod of LyricFind, Chantal Epp of ClicknClear, and Nico Perez of Mixcloud (not pictured: Mark Greenburg of Tresóna). Photo Credit: Noam Galai for AIMP.

The 3 West Club Pratt Room then served as a hang-out spot for attendees while also hosting a number of intensive product presentations from SXWorks, ICE Services & Songtrust, and Audiam.

AIMP Nashville Executive Director John Ozier of ole (left) with Jeff Price of Audiam before the Audiam presentation in the Pratt Room. Photo Credit: Noam Galai for AIMP.

In addition, Shira Gans, Senior Executive Director of Policy and Programs at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, made a special appearance at the Summit to discuss her office’s activities prior to the US State of the Industry panel. She also praised the AIMP for holding the Summit in New York City.

Special guest Shira Gans, Senior Executive Director of Policy and Programs at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, speaks at the AIMP Indie Music Publishing Summit. Photo Credit: Gary Gershoff for AIMP.

Special thanks goes out to event sponsors City National Bank, Exactuals, BMI, SESAC, ASCAP, Songtrust, LyricFind, Viacom, SXWorks, Tresóna, Crunch Digital, Exploration.io, Reel Muzik Werks, YouTube, Billboard, SonicScoop, Music Connection, and Hypebot. Stay tuned for info on next year’s event!

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Bill Greenwood
Jaybird Communications

609-221-2374
@jaybirdcom
www.jaybirdcom.com