BIOGRAPHY
I was an APRA director 2014-2020, vice chair of Asia-Pacific Music Creators Alliance (APMA) 2016-2021, and a board member of International Council of Music Creators (CIAM) 2017-2022.
With over 40 years’ experience in the music industry, I’ve toured the world as a performer. I’ve produced over 40 albums, more than half as an artist, including two ARIA winners.
I’m the author of The Open Tuning Chord Book for Guitar, first published in 1994. I’ve composed forfilm, ads and TV, and played on recordings for David Bowie, Jimmy Little and Kylie Minogue, and others.
I’ve worked extensively with indigenous artists, producing recordings for Jimmy Little, Kutcha Edwards, Emma Donovan et al, and as MD for Buried Country, Clinton Walker’s theatre production of the untold story of Aboriginal country music.
I’ve worked in music education at TAFE, UTS, AIM, and Bondi WAVE, and lecturing on production at SAE and JMC. I have a BA Communication UTS 1988.
In the last six years I’ve recorded and released five albums and played shows all over. I’m a guitar player that still loves to play, and that informs everything I do as a musician and advocate – it’s about the music.
ELECTION STATEMENT
Since it was established in 1979 no writer member has been elected to the AMCOS Board of Directors.
AMCOS is one of the only mechanical rights societies in the world that has no writer representation on the Board. The very people who generate the copyrights, the writers, have no representation on, or oversight of, the Board that administers their rights. This is indefensible. It’s never the right time for change. If not now, when?
A member since 1991, I’m a self-published writer with extensive connections in the music industry as a producer, writer and educator.
After six years on the APRA board I know the business, and both boards know me as a constructive and diligent director.
As a former board member of the International Council of Music Creators (CIAM) and editor of their newsletter With One Voice. I’ve nurtured extensive contacts in the international music community.
I would be an asset in the joint board room and as a public advocate, attending media & parliamentary events to articulate APRA AMCOS’s worldview.
The membership invested in me over many years to be an effective and informed player on their behalf in our industry. I would like to continue that work.
BIOGRAPHY
Not only is Jan a music publisher, she is a working musician who can read music notation, legal contracts, accounts ledgers and is a published author. She is also deft with a budget and is a strategic thinker. Jan has been a writer member of APRAAMCOS for 35 years, and a publisher member for 10. She has a high profile in New Zealand and is well regarded throughout the industry. Jan founded Songbroker Music Publishing, focusing proactively on creating more opportunities, increasing incomes and ensuring rights protection for NZ indie music artists. She is a recognised expert in music copyright and a loud, persistent voice lobbying for artists’ rights. She also works to ensure her artists are receiving fair fees for music licenses procured by Government Departments and affiliated agencies. Jan is a former director of IMNZ and sat on the RMNZ board during the development of One Music. Alongside Songbroker, she continues to run her creative/strategic company, Seahorse Swim Limited. Jan has a BA from Otago University. She continues to write and record music and is currently working on a new musical. She is also writing a series of essays covering arts and small business topics. See more janhellriegel.com
ELECTION STATEMENT
I have a valuable skill-set to bring to the service of the AMCOS board and am uniquely qualified in terms of my experience in the strategic, creative and business sides of the music industry.
During my career, I have worked across the spectrum in the music business and see it from many angles. I have an in-depth knowledge of music copyright and licensing and am considered an expert in the field. For thirty five years I have a been a writer member of APRA and ten as a Music Publisher. I know my beans.
The music industry continues to champion diversity and inclusion but the AMCOS board does not truly reflect the multifaceted sides of the wonderful people who make up our industry. Music artists need to start somewhere and without true independent voices on the board, then the grass roots industry is relegated to an afterthought. It is time to look at the future with a fresh lens and alternative ideas. New Zealand also needs more of a presence on the board; someone with a strong, clear voice, speaking for independent publishers and artists. I have the qualifications and would like the opportunity to contribute. Thank you.
BIOGRAPHY
Clive is Founder/Managing Director of the Perth-based independent Full-Service Music Publisher Perfect Pitch Publishing. He is an APRA registered songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, senior music business lecturer and music teacher. An AMCOS Non-Executive Board Director, Non-Executive Board Director of AMPAL and Deputy Chair of AMPAL.
Clive is the only regionally based (Perth WA) music publisher currently sitting on the AMCOS/AMPAL boards.
Clive’s previous experience include senior director roles at PolyGram/Universal, ABC Music and Shock Music Publishing. He has previously served on the boards of PPCA, AIR and WAM (West Australian Music Industry Assoc)
Clive was a senior lecturer at AIM (Australian Institute of Music) - Music Publishing and International Music Marketing until relocating to Perth in 2019. He is a guest lecturer at WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts), and a regular facilitator, panellist, mentor at WAMcon, a major sponsor of WAM Song of the Year competition and an Australia Council peer assessor.
Clive holds a certificate of Education from the London School of Teachers (UNSW), is a registered Justice of the Peace in NSW and WA and a member of the Royal Association of Justices of Western Australia and the Institute of Community Directors Australia (AMICDA).
ELECTION STATEMENT
Having been on the AMCOS board for several years I am proud to be a very involved and committed independent publishing voice for local songwriters and the music publishing industry. Having a board that is a balance of major and independent publishers is an imperative for any music industry board. The perspective this brings delivers a positive and representative voice for all Australian writers.
My experience in the industry at both state and national levels allows for an informed opinion and knowledge which I bring to the board and the relevant committees.
The Music Industry has been through and continues to feel the affects of the pandemic. It has never been more vital than at this time to have a strong and stable AMCOS board who, together with AMCOS Management, lobby and campaign for the rights and recognition of the value of songwriters to both state and federal governments . This is something I’m passionately involved in. Ensuring the value of copyright is upheld, when negotiating the use of all works with commercial and digital media, is another key area of focus for the board, management and (as a member of the board) myself.
BIOGRAPHY
Andrew is President, Australia and Asia Pacific Region, for Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). He has been a board member since 2019. Andrew is also a board member of AMCOS and AMPAL and is a founding board member of global music publisher organisation, IMPA. He is a former Chair of ICMP and is currently President d’Honneur of that international publisher association.
Andrew's career has taken him from the UK to Australia working for Polygram, Polydor Records, BMG Music Publishing and now Universal Music Publishing Group. He is passionate about the rights of songwriters and those who invest in their talent.
Andrew has worked with the Bee Gees, Tom Waits, The Cure, Van Morrison, Freddie Mercury, The Who and Iron Maiden to name but a few.
ELECTION STATEMENT
In my three years as a Director of APRA AMCOS I have continually worked to address the ongoing issues in those organisations and bring them into the 21st century. There is still so much to do, and AMCOS in particular needs a complete overhaul.
I will continue to work to create a better AMCOS and, as demonstrated by the long overdue adjustment to the SVOD rate this year, I will look to protect the value of mechanical, synchronisation, and lyric rights in order to see rightsholders treated fairly and approval rights properly respected.
I am a catalyst for change and have never settled for a “we’ve always done it that way” answer from anyone. In a fast changing commercial world we need an organisation that is not locked into the past. Directors need to have a clear vision and give clear direction to management. In short Directors need to roll up their sleeves and make the changes that need to be made.
I want AMCOS to be a better organisation when I finally leave than the one I joined. We are not even halfway to getting there.
BIOGRAPHY
Simon Moor is the Managing Director of Kobalt Music Group APAC. Simon established Kobalt Music Publishing in Australia and New Zealand in 2010; and with a sharp focus on providing services to local songwriters and artists, quickly achieved global success. Now in 2022, the Kobalt roster includes songwriters and artists ranging from Cosmos Midnight to Flume (Future Classic), Dean Lewis, Genesis Owusu, Gotye, Spacey Jane, Tash Sultana, Tim Minchin to Tones And I as well as many others. In 2016, Simon established Kobalt Music Publishing Asia in Hong Kong and played a key role in drafting and implementing business plans across the region. Simon put in place key partnerships for Kobalt writers and rights owners including those with NetEase Cloud Music and Tencent Music Entertainment in China. Beyond Kobalt, Simon is currently a non-executive director of the Australasian Music Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS), the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) as well as a board director of the Australasian Music Publishers Association (AMPAL).
ELECTION STATEMENT
In the role of non-executive board director for AMCOS I will bring experience and knowledge within the music industry, specifically music publishing, as well as experience as a board director. As a music publisher and Managing Director of Kobalt Music APAC, I have always had a focus on local songwriters and rights owners, fostering and working with both, and I understand what it means to have success globally as well as how important it is to have an efficient and functioning performing rights society. There are many similarities between Kobalt and AMCOS that will aid me to contribute and further the success of AMCOS to date. The key principles here are fair remuneration, transparency and inclusiveness, all pillars that Kobalt has been built on and that are shared with AMCOS. As a current board director of AMCOS, APRA and AMPAL I am also aware and have the experience, knowledge and skills to contribute and take AMCOS forward into the future. In this time of unprecedented events, strong governance principles, management and strategic direction have never been more important.
BIOGRAPHY
Philip Mortlock has been active in the Australian music business for over 40 years. Extensive experience while with Warner Music Australia for 17 years and then forming a long term partnership with Philip Walker with the ORiGiN Music entities - ORiGiN Music Publishing, ORiGiN Recordings and ORiGiN Theatrical. Philip has also served as a long time board member of AIR, The National Film & Sound Archive as well as 10 years’ service as an Independent Representative on the ARIA Board. Philip also acts as an active board member of the NFP Hush Foundation and has also maintained a Creative Consulting business- Thirdman Creative – providing a variety of consulting services. Philip has a broad range of experience, knowledge and network of the local and international music business and community. Focusing particularly on the creative process of making and managing music copyrights Philip has a wide range of connections both professionally and personally with many artists, composers and creatives across the business.
ELECTION STATEMENT
I worked mainly in the recording side of the business (via Warner Music) for the first part of my career and then dived into the multifaceted music publishing side of the business. I’ve experienced and seen massive change across the industry and have an optimistic view of where we are heading locally and globally – despite the many challenges. Experience is important but also an open mind to what lays ahead. My long time business partner Philip Walker has participated as an active board member for many years and now I feel I can contribute as a board member to such an integral organisation. I believe I have a balanced perspective of the industry – always with the view that the rights, support and opportunities of our creative community are paramount. Licensing is an integral part of the business and thankfully with the wide range of experience we’ve had with our ORiGiN Publishing, label and Theatrical business’ I’ve managed to gain a lot of knowledge and knowhow which I believe makes me an ideal candidate.