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Plácido Domingo becomes IFPI chair
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 27 July 2011
Perhaps taking a lead from UK Music, the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry has appointed a celebrity to head up the organisation. Though while Fergal Sharkey is the full-time CEO of the cross-sector British music industry group, opera star Plácido Domingo will take the more hands-off role of Chairman at the record industry’s global trade body, supporting existing CEO Frances Moore.
Nevertheless, says IFPI’s press release, as Chair Domingo “will play a leading role promoting IFPI’s priorities internationally, including improving copyright legislation, promoting the work of music rights owners, helping develop a thriving digital music sector and supporting the industry’s public education efforts around digital music”. Moore’s predecessors in the CEO job also took the Chairman title at IFPI, though presumably it’s hoped having someone as well known and respected as Domingo in that position instead will open more doors, especially in the all important political sphere.
Confirming his appointment, Domingo told reporters: “It is a great honour to be invited to become the chairman of IFPI. I have always passionately believed in the importance of respecting talent and in the rights of all those who perform, create, produce and invest in music. Today, the world of music and in fact most of the arts is undergoing enormous changes and challenges. Technology, which on one hand allows artists to reach many more than ever before, has led to a debate about how to find a way to protect the intellectual property rights of artists, creators and all those living and working in the world of music. I look forward to being a part of those discussions”.
Meanwhile Moore added: “It is a privilege to welcome Plácido Domingo to IFPI. He is an artist of unrivalled talent and authority who speaks from the heart about the issues that matter to him. His forceful advocacy for the intellectual property rights of the music sector comes at a pivotal moment, as governments in many countries consider new legislation to curb piracy and help develop the legitimate digital music business”.
Representatives for each of the major record companies and, speaking for the indies, Dramatico’s Mike Batt, all issued statements welcoming the appointment, but I won’t bore you with them all now. They basically all said “wa-woo-za, Plácido is the king, it’s fabtastic he’s going to lead us into battle”. Or something similar.
