Now, you might think of music publishing as the dull end of the industry where filling in forms and filing royalty claims is as exciting as it gets, but actually, publishing is where all the action is at these days. I know this to be true because at least three people have told me so. Three music publishing people admittedly. And they possibly think forms and royalty claims are 'action'.
Still, the publishing firms do seem to be increasingly proactive in developing new acts, and that changing role will be a topic up for discussion at a session at next month's In The City, entitled, not at all provocatively, 'Major record companies don't break bands anymore, publishers do!'. Various publishing execs will take part in the event, on 31 Oct, and they are expected to vent their frustration at the inability of major record companies to successfully launch developing artists and writers, while outlining the work they are doing themselves in that domain.
Participants in the session include Universal Music's Mike McCormack, Sony/ATV's Rakesh Sanghvi, Chrysalis' Jeremy Lascelles, Notting Hill Music Group's Andy McQueen and Stage Three Music's Steve Lewis.
Commenting on the session, ITC Director Yvette Livesey told CMU: "In the City has always provided a platform to debate the key issues affecting the modern music industry. The Music publishing world has evolved hugely in recent years and we are delighted to be able to bring together these key figures to debate the future role of their companies and music publishing in general."
As previously reported, In The City takes place in Manchester from 29 to 31 Oct - delegate info at http://www.inthecity.co.uk, press info from Velocity.