AIMP x The MLC: What You Need to Know About Unmatched and Unclaimed Royalties and the Steps You Can Take Today



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FREE for AIMP Members (make sure you're signed in); $15 for non-members

Join AIMP National Chair Frank Handy in conversation with Kris Ahrend, CEO of the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), for a discussion about the importance of accurate catalog information and the steps you can take to help ensure no royalties are left unmatched or unclaimed.

Under the Music Modernization Act, remaining unmatched and unclaimed royalties will eventually be distributed to rightsholders through a market share distribution process. During this session, attendees will learn how the process works, what rightsholders should know, and the steps publishers can take now to review their catalog information and help keep it accurate and up to date.

TICKETS

Kris Ahrend is the Chief Executive Officer of The MLC, where he leads the organization in its mission to ensure songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the U.S. accurately and on time. Under his direction, The MLC has achieved total royalties distributed of over $4 billion and grown membership to over 90,000 Members to date. In recognition of the organization’s impact under his leadership, The MLC received the Music Business Association’s 2024 Impact Award for Technological Excellence, honoring its innovative approach to solving challenges in the modern music industry. In 2025, The MLC was also named one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, underscoring its continued commitment to technological and operational excellence.

Before joining The MLC, Kris served as the President of U.S. Shared Services for Warner Music Group (WMG), where he led the development and launch of WMG’s Center of Excellence for Shared Services in Nashville and oversaw the operations of 15 functional teams providing a variety of administrative, financial, and legal services to WMG’s U.S.-based publishing teams, record labels, and corporate divisions. Prior to launching the Center of Excellence, Kris served as the Head of Business & Legal Affairs for WMG’s catalog label, Rhino Records, in Los Angeles, and then led a large legal, financial, and administrative shared services organization within WMG that he helped to create.

Kris started working in the music industry in New York City, where he held positions in the Law Department at Sony Music and then the Business and Legal Affairs Department at Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

A graduate of Binghamton University in New York and the Washington & Lee School of Law, Kris began his legal career as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He then spent several years in private practice, working in the New York office of the international law firm Simpson Thacher.

Kris is a respected and recognized leader in the music industry. In 2021, he was named to Billboard magazine’s list of Change Agents, which honored leaders in the music community who led by both advocacy and example during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also received an Indie Spirit Award in 2021 from The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) in recognition of his contributions to the independent music publishing community. In 2022, Kris was named to Billboard magazine’s Power List, and in 2023, 2024, and 2025, he was named to Nashville Post’s In Charge annual list of the most influential people in the music industry.

Kris is a proud member of the Nashville business and music communities. He serves on the boards of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Downtown Partnership, is a member of the Executive Committee of the Recording Academy’s Entertainment Law Initiative, serves on Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey College of Business Advisory Board, and participates in the Nashville State Music Tech Advisory Council. A lifelong musician, Kris resides in Nashville with his wife, Karen, and two sons.

Frank Handy is a seasoned music industry executive with over two decades of experience in music publishing and administration. Currently serving as Vice President of Catalog Royalties Administration at peermusic, he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s global catalog, ensuring accurate royalty distribution, and optimizing revenue streams for songwriters and publishers.

 Since commencing his career at Bug Music (now BMG) in 2005, where he ascended to the role of Senior Copyright Administrator, Frank has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to serving music creators. He subsequently transitioned to Bicycle Music (now Concord) before joining SONGS, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company into one of the foremost independent music publishers globally.

During his tenure at SONGS, Frank worked closely in servicing iconic songwriters such as The Weeknd, Lorde, Diplo, DJ Mustard, the George Gershwin estate, and many others. As the Vice President and Head of Operations and Administration at Position Music, Frank oversaw global copyright, royalties, licensing, income tracking, YouTube and digital distribution operations. He also played a key role in identifying new revenue opportunities and collaborated with the Vice President of Finance in evaluating catalog acquisitions and artist signings.

Frank currently holds the position as President (Los Angeles Chapter) and National Chair of the AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers), further underscoring his commitment to music creators.

Catch AIMP National Chair and LA President Frank Handy on SiriusXM’s Break the Business (Channel 145 Slam Radio) as he breaks down the realities of getting paid in today’s music industry – from sync deals and live performance royalties to building lasting relationships and finding your lane as an indie creator. Smart, candid, and full of real advice. Listen to the full interview here – segment begins around the 29-minute mark.