Billboard Covers AIMP LA’s Luncheon with David Israelite

March 17, 2025 (Los Angeles) —-

AIMP is excited to announce the launch of its newly updated website! Thank you for your patience as we navigate the transition.

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Frank Handy

February 11, 2025 (Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York) – The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has finalized its leadership for the next two years, with the Association’s Executive Committee unanimously electing National Chair for 2025-2026. In this role, Handy will work with the Executive Committee, which consists of each Chapter’s President and Vice President, to ensure all four AIMP Chapters are aligned and working together toward the Association’s goal to educate and inform the independent music publishing community about the most current industry trends and practices impacting the sector. He will also serve as President of the Los Angeles Chapter.

Handy has been actively involved in the Los Angeles Chapter for the past several years, serving as Chapter Treasurer from 2021 – 2023 and then Vice President from 2023 – 2025. Prior to starting his current role as VP, Catalog Royalties Administration at Peermusic, he held the role of VP, Head of Operations & Administration at Position Music from 2020 – 2024 and Head of Creator & Publisher Relations at AllTrack Performing Rights from 2018 – 2020. Handy has also consulted for Swell Sound, Geoffen Records, and El Camino Media. He is based in Los Angeles.

“It is an honor to serve as AIMP National Chair and build upon the work I have been doing with our Los Angeles Chapter,” said Handy. “As things continue to rapidly evolve in our industry, I am committed along with each of our Chapter Presidents to educating and supporting our independent music publishing community and continuing to grow and strengthen our mission. I thank the Executive Committee for their support and look forward to a successful term ahead.” 

In previously announced results, the AIMP Atlanta Chapter elected Tony D. Alexander (MIME LLC) to a second two-year term as Chapter President, while Crystal Morris (Digital Royalty Distribution LLC) will serve as Vice President. David Alexander (David Alexander Consulting LLC) will take over as Treasurer, and Cheryl Potts (Cleerkut) will continue as Secretary. They will be joined by re-elected  Frank Handy (Peermusic) as incumbent Board members Christopher Bass (Clark Atlanta University), Robin Kindrick (Track Dat Sync), Megan Oliver (Skybound Entertainment), and Eric Spence (Mosley Music Group). The Chapter’s Administration Director will remain Kandice Bell (KandiLand Entertainment, LLC). 

In Los Angeles, Frank Handy (Peermusic) was elected Chapter President. Eric Polin (Music Publishing Consultant) will take over as Vice President, while Yvonne Drazan (peermusic) will serve as Secretary and David Quan (The Greater Goods Co.) as Treasurer. In addition, newly elected Board members Gabi Cote (Position Music), Jessica Raviol (NBCUniversal), Debra Delshad (Creative Licensing Consultant), Sherry Orson (Star Vibe Group), Bryan Bakke (Orfium), Andrew Wixen (Simplify Music), Charley Londoño (Counsel Plus), and Mayra Vargas (Concord Music Publishing) will join re-elected incumbents Marc Caruso (Angry Mob Music), Barbie Quinn (BMI), Todd Brabec (musicandmoney.com), Michael Todd (ASCAP), and Garrett Johnson, Esq. (Garrett Johnson Law) on the Board. The Chapter’s Administration Director will remain Juliet Lyons. 

In Nashville, John Ozier (EVP, Creative, Reservoir Media Management) was elected Chapter President. The Chapter has also elected Courtney Crist (Eclipse Music Group) as Vice President, Janine Ebach (Ebach Entertainment) as Secretary, and Kari Barnhart (Studio Bank) as Treasurer. Newly elected Board members Duane Hobson (ASCAP), Dave Pacula (Liz Rose Music), Leslie DiPiero (Jonas Group Publishing), Megan Pekar (Loeb & Loeb LLP), and Melissa Spillman (Concord), will join incumbents Ree Guyer (Wrensong Music), ET Brown (SESAC), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Keithan Melton (Combustion Music), Alex Heddle (Big Machine Music), Tim Hunze (Big Machine Music), and Robert Carlton (SMACKSongs). The Chapter’s Administration Director will be Kendall Lettow (peermusic) and its Administration Assistant will be Alex Tamashunas (Creative Nation). 

In New York, Debbie Rose (Sundae Songs LLC) has stepped up to the role of NY Chapter President, and Jeff Pachman (Domino Publishing Company) will take over her former position of Vice President. Art Levy (Songtradr/The Levy Firm) will remain as Secretary. Newly elected Board members Omar Sandoval (Spirit Music Group) and Peter Raleigh (Raleigh Music Group) will join re-elected incumbents Amber Charania (Downtown Music Holdings), Antonella Di Saverio (BMI), Brooke Primont (Concord Music Publishing), David Hoffman (Reservoir Media Management), Joanne Kelsey (Anthem Entertainment), Joyce Dollinger (Alter, Kendrick & Baron, LLP), Melanie Santa Rosa (Third Side Music), and Michael Simon (Harry Fox Agency/Rumblefish) on the Board. The Chapter’s Administration Director will remain Leigh Cusick (Sundae Songs). 

January 18, 2025


Be sure to mark June 10, 2025 on your calendars for this year’s AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit in New York City! Keep an eye on aimp.org for more details as they are announced.

January 14, 2025

After careful consideration we have made the difficult decision to postpone our Annual Grammy Luncheon and Presentation with David Israelite.   In light of the devastation here in LA, this decision is made out of respect for those who have been affected by the ongoing fires. We will be rescheduling the State of Music Publishing with David Israelite event with details to follow.  We will be contacting all paid attendees to discuss the options of saving your reservation for the rescheduled event or issuing refunds in the next week.    

Below are links to donate to Musicares to help support those in our music community who have been affected by the wildfires as well as the Billboard Relief guide for music workers.

Musicares

Billboard

We appreciate your patience and understand.  Our thoughts are with all of those who have been impacted by the fires.

January 09, 2025

AIMP Board Election Results

The results are in! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York Chapter elections. Please note that the Nashville Chapter will be electing their new Board officers in January.

In Atlanta, Tony D. Alexander (MIME LLC) was elected to a second two-year term as Chapter President, while Crystal Morris (Digital Royalty Distribution LLC) and Tye Huntley (Smart Cadence Media LLC) will serve as Co-Vice Presidents. David Alexander (David Alexander Consulting LLC) will take over as Treasurer, and Cheryl Potts (Cleerkut) will continue as Secretary. They will be joined by re-elected incumbent Board members Christopher Bass (Clark Atlanta University), Robin Kindrick (Track Dat Sync), Megan Oliver (Skybound Entertainment), and Eric Spence (Mosley Music Group). The Chapter’s Administration Director will remain Kandice Bell (KandiLand Entertainment, LLC).

In Los Angeles, Chapter President Marc Caruso (Angry Mob Music) will step down after a two-year term, passing the torch to Frank Handy (Music Publishing Consultant). Eric Polin (Music Publishing Consultant) will take over as Vice President, while Yvonne Drazan (peermusic) will serve as Secretary and David Quan (The Greater Goods Co.) as Treasurer. In addition, newly elected Board members Gabi Cote (Position Music), Jessica Raviol (NBCUniversal), Debra Delshad (Creative Licensing Consultant), Sherry Orson (Star Vibe Group), Bryan Bakke (Orfium), Andrew Wixen (Simplify Music), Charley Londoño (Counsel Plus), and Mayra Vargas (Concord Music Publishing) will join Caruso and fellow re-elected incumbents Barbie Quinn (BMI), Todd Brabec (musicandmoney.com), Michael Todd (ASCAP), and Garrett Johnson, Esq. (Garrett Johnson Law) on the Board. The Chapter’s Administration Director will remain Juliet Lyons.

In Nashville, The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has elected its Officers for 2025-2026, selecting John Ozier (EVP, Creative, Reservoir Media Management) as Chapter President. Ozier will take over for Ree Guyer (Wrensong Music), who will be stepping down from her position but remain on the Board. The Chapter has also elected Courtney Crist (Eclipse Music Group) as Vice President, Janine Ebach (Ebach Entertainment) as Secretary, and Kari Barnhart (Studio Bank) as Treasurer.  Newly elected Board members Duane Hobson (ASCAP), Dave Pacula (Liz Rose Music), Kari Barnhart (Studio Bank), Leslie DiPiero (Jonas Group Publishing), Megan Pekar (Loeb & Loeb LLP), and Melissa Spillman (Concord) will join incumbents Ree Guyer (Wrensong Music), John Ozier (Reservoir Media), ET Brown (SESAC), Courtney Crist (Eclipse Entertainment), Janine Ebach (Ebach Entertainment), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Keithan Melton (Combustion Music), Alex Heddle (Big Machine Music), Tim Hunze (Big Machine Music), and Robert Carlton (SMACKSongs). The Chapter’s new Administration Director will be Kendall Lettow (peermusic) and its new Administration Assistant will be Alex Tamashunas (Creative Nation).  remain on the Board.

In New York, Debbie Rose (Sundae Songs LLC) will step up to the role of NY Chapter President as Michael Lau (CollectivRights Management) wraps up his four-year term. Jeff Pachman (Domino Publishing Company) will take over Rose’s former position of Vice President, Art Levy (Songtradr/The Levy Firm) will remain as Secretary, and Lau will become Treasurer following the departure of Steven White (Janover, LLC). Newly elected Board members Omar Sandoval (Spirit Music Group) and Peter Raleigh (Raleigh Music Group) will join re-elected incumbents Amber Charania (Downtown Music Holdings), Antonella Di Saverio (BMI), Brooke Primont (Concord Music Publishing), David Hoffman (Reservoir Media Management), Joanne Kelsey (Anthem Entertainment), Joyce Dollinger (Alter, Kendrick & Baron, LLP), Melanie Santa Rosa (Third Side Music), and Michael Simon (Harry Fox Agency/Rumblefish) on the Board. The Chapter’s Administration Director will remain Leigh Cusick (Sundae Songs).

The White House Creator Economy Conference (WHCEC) is the first-ever event hosted by the White House’s Office of Digital Strategy that will convene a group of digital creators and industry professionals to discuss the most pressing issues within the creator economy today — including privacy, fair pay, AI, mental health, and more.

The deadline to apply for this special opportunity, which will be hosted at the White House, is July 12th. To read more about it, click here.

To apply, click here.

AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit 2024 – Sold Out Success

24 June 2024 

The 2024 Global Music Publishing Summit wrapped on June 11 at the 3 West Club in New York City, drawing in over 300 attendees, including songwriters, music publishers, rights organizations, record labels, DSPs, and more. It was sponsored by Copyright Delta, ICE, Music Publishers Canada, the NMPA, PRS for Music, RyteBox, and Switchchord, as well as AIMP National Annual Supporters including ASCAP, BMI, CMRRA, Exploration, The MLC, SESAC Music Group, SXWorks, and YouTube.

Officers and Directors from AIMP Chapters in NY, LA, ATL, and Nashville

Hi-res photos from every GMPS panel are available here. All photos should be credited to Gary Gershoff, except the AIMP Pre-GMPS Young Professionals Mixer photo, which should be credited to Ashley Morey. Video of the GMPS will soon be made available to AIMP members at aimp.org.

From left: Michael Lau, Ree Guyer, Frank Handy, Tony D. Alexander. Photo credit: Gary Gershoff

The event kicked off with a welcome from Michael Lau (AIMP National Chair and New York Chapter President; CEO, Laud Music/Imachew Music), Frank Handy (AIMP LA Chapter Vice President; Head of Operations & Administration, Position Music), Ree Guyer (AIMP Nashville Chapter President; President, Wrensong), and Tony D. Alexander (AIMP Atlanta Chapter President; President and Managing Director, Made in Memphis Entertainment), who each provided an update on the Association’s national and regional activities.

From left: Brooke Primont, Leah Streetman, Kate Urcioli, Jason Rezvan, Keith D’arcy, Anita Chinkes Ratner. Photo credit: Gary Gershoff

One of the day’s standout panels was “Publishers’ Perspective: Unveiling the Power of Covers in Synchronization.” Led by moderator Brooke Primont (AIMP NY Board Member; EVP, Publishing Sync, Concord Music Publishing), panelists Jason Rezvan (VP, Advertising, Spirit Music Group), Keith D’arcy (SVP, Sync & Creative Services, Warner Chappell), Leah Streetman (President and Head of Film & TV Music, Triton Creative), Anita Chinkes Ratner (EVP Creative Music Strategy, PARAMOUNT), and Kate Urcioli (Managing Director & Partner, Heavy Duty Projects) discussed the immediate emotional connection that comes with a cover song; the difference between re-records, remixes, and traditional covers; and how they work with companies and music supervisors to find or create the perfect cover version for their needs.

From left: Amber Charania, Clara Kim, Chris Barkley, Morna Willens. Photo credit: Gary Gershoff

On Tuesday afternoon, Chris Barkley (Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, NMPA), Clara Kim (Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer, ASCAP), Morna Willens (Chief Policy Officer, RIAA), and moderator Amber Charania(AIMP NY Board Member; Senior Director of Legal and Business Affairs, Downtown Music Holdings) delivered the “Washington, D.C. Update.”Together, they discussed upcoming and proposed legislation affecting the music publishing community, including several proposals to establish a federal right of publicity in light of the rise of generative AI, the NMPA’s proposal to allow rights-holders to opt out of compulsory licensing, and more.

The night before the GMPS on June 10, the AIMP Young Professionals Committee hosted the free “AIMP Pre-GMPS Young Professionals Mixer” at The Rose in NYC. The event brought together the publishing industry for drinks, snacks, and networking.

Read Billboard’s Summit Recap Here

Read All Access’s Summit Recap Here

Doug Collins writes Guest Column for Billboard Magazine: “On the Music Modernization Act’s 5th Anniversary, Streaming Services Are Trying to Redefine Its Intent”

6 June 2024

Read the Story Here.

AIMP Followup Statement on Spotify’s Bundling Plans, Cutting Publisher Royalties by Estimated $150M 

12 May 2024 – Press release

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) — including Michael Lau (National Chair and New York Chapter President), Marc Caruso (Los Angeles Chapter President), Ree Guyer (Nashville Chapter President), and Tony D. Alexander (Atlanta Chapter President) — issued the below followup statement regarding Spotify’s music-audiobook bundle.

“Two weeks ago, we spoke out about the potential consequences for independent music publishers should Spotify go forward with its plan to bundle a previously free service, audiobooks, with music subscriptions. Now that an actual number has been put to the potential lost revenue for music publishers, a staggering estimate of $150 million per year, we feel the need to speak out again.

“It is a deeply cynical move for Spotify to attempt to circumvent the CRB settlement agreed to by the NMPA & NSAI and DiMA in 2022 via this bundling ‘loophole,’ and further insulting that the price of a Spotify subscription will actually increase for users while cutting revenue for the songwriters who keep their business alive. This is especially problematic for independent music publishers, as they and all publishers are legally prevented from negotiating protections against bad-faith tactics such as this, while labels are allowed to do so in a free market.

“At this point, we still do not know how Spotify plans to notify its subscribers of this change. The right thing to do is to default existing subscribers to music-only accounts, and then give them the option to add-on the audiobook service for an additional $9.99 per month — Spotify’s proposed standalone rate for audiobooks. This ensures a proper, non-devalued royalty rate for both music and audiobook publishers and rightsholders, who will otherwise both be negatively affected by bundling.

“The AIMP offers its unequivocal support to the NMPA as they fight this critical battle to prevent Spotify’s scheme from taking effect. We encourage all independent music publishers to join us in this stance and make their songwriters aware of this attack on their livelihood. We cannot allow bundling to become a precedent that can be used to deprive songwriters of their well-earned royalties.

“The AIMP has also been speaking with the Coalition of Concerned Creators and are happy to report that we are aligned on this issue. Please find their statement on this issue below.”

From the Coalition of Concerned Creators:

“All musicians, creator advocacy groups, unions and organizations, and other creator stakeholders — including authors and podcasters — must stand firm against Spotify’s recent policy shift. It is essential to advocate for equitable compensation for music creators, who are pivotal to the industry’s sustainability. Additionally, this is a clear pattern of behavior and we continue to be concerned about Spotify’s bridge into new audio formats, like audiobooks, and how this pattern of behavior will affect other creators, like authors, as well.”

Read More Here:

AIMP LA Speaks With Future Music Business Leaders 

2 May 2024 – Pasadena, CA

Led by David Quan, members of the AIMP LA Board of Directors (Barbie Quinn; Yvonne Drazan; Secretary, Eric Polin; and Treasurer, Jonathan Haskell) spent the day with an unusual audience – 70 students from Eugene Field Elementary School.  The directors presented a discussion about careers in music to very possible future leaders of our industry.   LACM (Los Angeles College of Music) graciously hosted the students, who also went on a campus tour,  and were treated to short performances by Roko (LACM senior) and Brenda Carsey (BMI songwriter), and of course… a snack!