MusicTank Symposium to Feature PCAM

TITLE: Media Composers: New Rules of Engagement

DATE & TIME:  June 4, 2009, 18.30-21.00.

VENUE:  Basement Bar, PRS for Music, Copyright House, Berners Street, London;

COST:  £20 MusicTank members, £25 Trade Body, £30 Full Price.

SPEAKERS:  Keynote: tbc.  Panellists: Chris Smith (BASCA), Jonathan Goldstein (PCAM), Phil Bird (Ricall), Richard Kirstein (Leap Music), others tbc.  Chairman: Keith Harris (MusicTank/Keith Harris Music Ltd /PPL)


Composers for television, advertisements and music production libraries face a quandary as new business models swing in favour of their commissioners. New companies such as production music library Audio Network have controversially dropped synch fees with the promise of greater PRS returns for its composers. With synch fees typically comprising a significant part of writers’ income, this amounts to a considerable change to the standard music library model that has also foisted downward commercial pressure on rival libraries’ rates.

The impact of this model on the commissioning process itself gives cause for concern, particularly in TV production. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some producers apply the Audio Network pricing model to potential composers pitching for commissions in a “take-it-or-lose-it” scenario that again results in potentially significantly less income for the writer.

Meanwhile, some advertising agencies have taken on the role of music publisher, keen to secure all rights in the music for maximum flexibility of use and argue they are better placed than traditional publishers to report transmission times and are therefore able to ensure quicker and more accurate returns to the writers.

Arguments abound that traditional models are outmoded, inflexible and fail to take account of new and multitudinous distribution channels, with advocates of newer models maintaining that such developments are driven by the realities of the market.

Ultimately, what lies at the heart of this session is this: is there a growing disconnect between content owners – media production companies, ad agencies and brands – and music content creators that undermines the very art of writing music for media?

Full Details & Booking:  http://www.musictank.co.uk/events/media-composers-new-rules-of-engagement.

29-01-09