A pan-European body for managers has launched under the name of the European Music Manager Alliance (EMMA).
The collective body aims to ensure managers have closer involvement in all discussions and decisions that impact the future direction of the global music business.
EMMA brings together music manager representative bodies from the UK, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland, Norway and Finland – with links to similar organisations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.
In total, it will collectively represent over 800 managers across Europe, and another 600 worldwide. For its first year, the organisation’s inaugural Chair will be Keith Harris, who is a long-time member of Stevie Wonder’s management team.
All founder members will nominate representatives to the board.
EMMA’s initial focus will be on three specific issues:
- Licensing and fair remuneration: as the recorded music business enters a new phase of streaming-based evolution, relationships between artists and labels have adapted. The latter increasingly act as “rights partners” rather than “rights owners”. It is vital that such fundamental changes are reflected in licensing negotiations, and that commercial partnerships with Digital Service Providers are as transparent and open as possible.
- Public policy: in parallel to these commercial developments, adoption of pan-European legal frameworks and policy discussions must also involve greater participation from artists and their representatives – including current debates on Intellectual Property, taxation, collection society reform and Brexit. EMMA will provide a convenient point of contact for policy makers to engage with artist representatives.
- Education and research: EMMA will also support a professional, educated and networked global community of music managers – sharing research, information and resources.
Founded on principles of transparency, diversity, professional standards, and accountability, EMMA will unveil a detailed agenda at Midem 2018 in June, including a common Code of Practice and operating practices.
“For the future health of our business, and particularly with Brexit on the horizon, it is vital that managers can maintain close contact and participate fully and openly in all commercial and policy discussions that impact on our clients. The creation of emma will make this possible.”
keith harris
Commenting on the launch, Harris, said: “As the business representatives of artists, songwriters and producers, the role of the music manager has assumed ever greater importance in the digital era.
“For the future health of our business, and particularly with Brexit on the horizon, it is therefore vital that managers can maintain close contact and participate fully and openly in all commercial and policy discussions that impact on our clients.
“The creation of EMMA will make this possible. Going forward, digital services, legislators and other industry partners will have opportunity to connect with the widest range of music managers via a single networked organisation.”
Music Business Worldwide
