Music Publishing News Weekly Roundup 6.14.2014: NMPA, Grammy Changes, Murphy Rights Mgt. & More

The Annual NMPA meeting was held this Wednesday, June 11th. Members of the music publishing community gathered at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City to discuss the state of the publishing industry. NMPA President and CEO David Israelite presented an estimate that the music publishing industry generated $2.21 billion in 2013, but lost out on $2.31 billion due to outdated consent decrees and unfair royalty rates. Congressman Doug Collins also spoke advocating for his bill, the Songwriter Equity Act, which proposes amendments to two outdated portions of the Copyright Act. Highlights included keynote speakers Dan Hesse (CEO of Sprint) and Meredith Attwell Baker (head of CTIA) who discussed the inclusion of music and streaming services into wireless products. (click on image to enlarge

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New changes have been made to the Grammy Awards that benefit songwriters. As of this week, thanks to the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees, changes have been made to bring the number of categories at the next Grammy Awards to 83. Samples will now be accepted into all songwriting categories. New categories Best Gospel and Best Contemporary Christian will now recognize both the performer and songwriter with separate awards. Best American Roots Performance and Best Dance/Electronic Album have also been added as new categories.

Chris Murphy has launched new Murphy Rights Management. The Former manager of the Iconic Australian rock band INXS, Murphy is taking his previous music industry experience into the publishing world. Teaming up with Universal Music Publishing Group via a worldwide publishing administration agreement, the Australian based rights management firm MRM has launched with the new signing of Australian rock band Lepers and Crooks. Louis Calleja, former head of business affairs at EMI Music Australia will join as CEO and former managing director of Zomba/Jive Asia Pacific, Paul Paoliello will serve as Director of Business Development for MRM.