Music Publishers Association COVID-19 Statements from Paul Clements CEO and Chair Roberto Neri

30 March 2020 - Press release

 

From the smallest independents to multinational companies, music publishers nurture and protect songwriter and composer talent at all stages of their creative careers. Music Publishers are often the first partners for songwriters and composers; they invest in raw talent and enable creative growth and commercial success to prosper. This publisher-creator bond has been brought into ever sharper focus at this incredibly worrying time, as our music publisher community, both here in the UK and around the world rally behind their songwriter and composer clients to support them, however they can. This is despite the inevitable challenge and uncertainty that everybody is facing in this period of significant business and economic disruption.

Paul Clements, MPA Group CEO said:

"The MPA Group is working tirelessly to give all of our publisher and direct MCPS songwriter/composer members, all the support, information and sense of community we possibly can. We are focussed on making sure that government support is for all and that no-one is left behind at this time of need. All the while we are forecasting what changes in market conditions may mean to our members over the coming months. This will become ever more important information the longer this unprecedented situation goes on. For the time being, I am pleased to confirm that our MCPS April distribution will be delivered to members, as scheduled.

Investment, care and support for our industry's creative talent is at the heart of everything we do in our sector and its continued focus will help us all through this crisis together. The MPA will endeavour to ensure that music publishing is supported and protected throughout this difficult time, which will in turn protect our creative community for decades to come."

 

Roberto Neri, MPA Chair added:

"The music publishing community are currently focused on making sure that songwriters are safe, whilst continuing to present them with ongoing creative opportunities. They also continue to collect from over 20,000 pay sources, as they navigate the minefield of this unprecedented time and provide a full service offering to songwriters. It is appreciated that PRS and other CMOs around the world are looking at ways of helping publishers and songwriters at this moment. This will provide a lifeline for publishers and songwriters suffering hardship at this time. 

It is important to work cross industry now too and I feel fortunate as MPA chair to be a current board director at UK Music. 72% of the UK Music Industry are self-employed and we are continuing to lobby Government to ensure they are not left behind. The Chancellor's statement last week was welcome, but our musicians and sound engineers require more immediate support now. We welcome Tom Watson as our new chair at UK Music and we (The MPA) look forward to working with him to help support our industry through this crisis."