All go at royalty collection society PPL this morning, with the appointment of two new senior staff members, and the conclusion of the previously reported merger between PPL and the two smaller previously independent recording rights organisations PAMRA and AURA. The merger has now been completed having won the approval of the Office Of Fair Trading and the memberships of all three organisations. Though, much to my personal disappointment, the organisation will not be known henceforth as PPLPAMRAAURA, which I think is a big opportunity missed.
On the appointments front, artist manager and MusicTank chair Keith Harris has been appointed to the role of Director Of Performer Affairs, a new position that will provide a link between the society's Performer Board, the main PPL board and the PPL management team, ensuring performers' views are heard. Confirming the appointment, PPL boss Fran Nevrkla told CMU: "I am absolutely thrilled about Keith Harris' appointment. His enormous experience in the music industry coupled with the respect he commands and his obvious integrity make him the ideal candidate for this new role. I know that as a good team player he will be very effective in working together with the rest of PPL's Executive on the performer related agenda".
Keith added: "I am very happy to be joining PPL to represent performers' interests. It is vital in the rapidly changing new environment, where collection of performance fees are an important income stream for many musicians, that PPL becomes increasingly performer focused".
Meanwhile, PPL also announced the appointment of Sue Carty to the job of Director Of Member And Performer Services, another newly created role that will see Carty coordinating aspects of services provided by PPL to both its record label and performer members, as well of aspects of revenue distribution. Or something like that.
On Carty's appointment, Fran continued: "Sue is one of PPL's most senior and most talented executives of the highest calibre. She has a remarkable record of enormous achievements in previous PPL roles along with a friendly manner and a natural ability to lead and motivate large teams of people. This means that individual performers can have the comfort of knowing that their dealings with PPL will always be conducted with courtesy and in the spirit of absolute collaboration. I have an unshakeable confidence in Sue's ability to deliver the first class services and support which the performers and the record companies deserve."