UK & European Guild Of Music Supervisors Launches Non-Profit Organisation

04 April 2017 - Press release

UK & European Guild Of Music Supervisors Launches Non-Profit Organisation To Raise Awareness And Support Craft Of Music Supervision Across All Entertainment Industries

Senior and advisory board established with leading industry figures

The UK & European Guild of Music Supervisors, a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of the role of a music supervisor within the entertainment industries including film, television, gaming, advertising, trailers, interactive media and theatre, was launched today, it was announced by Iain Cooke (AMY, OASIS: SUPERSONIC, “The Night Manager”), President of the Guild and Freelance Music Supervisor.

As a newly established entity, the Guild’s primary purpose will be to promote the craft of music supervision through the education of the value of music, the advocacy of best practice, and support for the protection of music copyright across all mediums.

A professional music supervisor is employed to oversee various aspects of music related elements of a project or production. Their responsibilities include collaborating with the creative team to develop ideas to enhance the visual medium, working with the composer throughout the entire process from scoring to mixing and negotiating and securing all legal rights of the music.

The Guild will officially launch with a high-profile event on Thursday, 6 April, at Metropolis Studios to include its board members, representatives from rights holders and professionals across all industries including filmmakers, television creatives, producers, agencies and other music supervisors.

“We are delighted to be launching the UK & European Guild of Music Supervisors, building on the success of the North American chapter. We feel there is a genuine need for a Guild to provide a united voice and sense of community amongst music supervisors, both for people working in the industry, and also as a place for future generations to feel inspired, connect with and develop professional relationships with supervisors at the top of their game who can help mentor them on their career path. The impact of music is universal and our ambition is for the Guild to be a place to share ideas, best practice and topical issues which concern the industry at large and a resource for all throughout the creative industries,” said Cooke.

Apart from Cooke, the Senior Board members include Abi Leland, Vice President, Founder & Managing Director of Leland Music (John Lewis “Buster the Boxer,” Paralympics “We’re the Superhumans”); Ayla Owen, Co-Chair, Head of Music at Bartle Bogle Hegarty and The Most Radicalist Black Sheep Music; Duncan Smith, Co-Chair, Senior Music Supervisor at Sony Interactive Entertainment (Gran Turismo Sport, Wipeout Omega); Jacquie Perryman, Co-Chair, Founder of Periscope Music & Media Ltd; Rupert Hollier, Head of the Advisory Board, Music Supervisor and Head of Creative at Metropolis Music Group and Jon Skinner, Secretary/Treasurer, CEO of Music Gateway.

The Advisory Board members include Ian Neil, Director of Film & TV at Sony Music and Freelance Music Supervisor (FREE FIRE, KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE); Nick Angel, Freelance Music Supervisor (LOVE ACTUALLY, BRIDGET JONES DIARY); Matt Biffa, Music Supervisor at Air-Edel Associates (HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, PADDINGTON); Sarah Bridge, Freelance Music Supervisor (Sky Atlantic’s “Guerrilla,” upcoming THE SENSE OF AN ENDING); Dan Neale, Managing Director at Native Supervision Soho; Dominic Bastyra, Founder and Director of Wake the Town; Ed Bailie, Director and Music Supervisor at Leland Music; Kate Young, Founder of Soho Music Group; Ruth Simmons, CEO of Soundlounge; Matt Kaleda, Music Supervisor and Music Consultant at Felt Music; Maggie Rodford, Managing Director of Air-Edel Associates (upcoming DARKEST HOUR, DENIAL) and Karen Elliott,  Founder of HotHouse Music (upcoming WONDER WOMAN, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM).

The Guild will be a resource for both emerging and established professionals, as well as the wider industry, providing knowledge of the craft and the evolving media landscape in addition to offering networking opportunities and mentoring aspiring professionals regardless of their background through masterclasses and seminars.

There will be several membership options available including full membership which requires applicants to have at least 4 years experience as a music supervisor and meet certain credit requirements, associate membership which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, life members for those not currently active in the profession and rights holder membership.


Whilst operating as an independent organisation, the UK & European Guild will collaborate with its equivalent counterparts in North America to address issues relevant to music supervisors worldwide and to safeguard the credibility of the craft.