Jody Gerson vows to ‘defend human songwriters’ within the age of AI, as UMPG boss accepts Worldwide Government of the Yr honor at MBW’s Music Enterprise UK Awards

MBW’s Music Enterprise UK Awards occurred in Covent Backyard this night (November 4), celebrating the perfect that the UK music enterprise has to supply.

The primary main honor of the night time went to Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Common Music Publishing Group (UMPG), who acquired the Worldwide Government of the Yr award.

The night time’s Worldwide Government award acknowledged a non-British firm chief who has considerably furthered the prominence and success of UK and Irish music over the earlier 12 months.

Gerson was chosen because the winner by a panel of senior expertise managers who subscribe to Music Enterprise Worldwide‘s MBW+ tier.

Addressing a sold-out ballroom on the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, Gerson paid tribute to the British and Irish musicians who “formed” her “earliest recollections” from The Beatles to Petula Clark, The Hollies, The Rolling Stones and others. She additionally gave a shout-out to Bob Geldof for his work on Dwell Support, which Gerson stated demonstrated “the true unifying energy of music”.

“British and Irish songwriters type a lot of UMPG’s basis—iconic songwriters and artists like Elton John and Bernie Taupin, The Conflict, Mark Knopfler, The Remedy, Pleasure Division and New Order, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Annie Lennox, the Bee Gees and lots of extra,” stated Gerson.

Gerson additionally acknowledged former UMPG UK MD Mike McCormack, his successor, David Grey, in addition to the broader UMPG UK workforce.

“I would like each British and Irish songwriter to listen to this: I’m in your aspect. I get up day-after-day with one overriding mission—to PROTECT HUMAN SONGWRITERS. On that, I’ll by no means waver.”

Jody Gerson

Elsewhere in her speech, UMPG’s boss took the chance to handle the challenges confronted by songwriters amid the speedy rise of AI, noting that “the work of a music writer is a continuing battle to make sure that songs are valued and that songwriters are correctly compensated”.

Added Gerson: “I would like each British and Irish songwriter to listen to this: I’m in your aspect. I get up day-after-day with one overriding mission—to guard human songwriters. On that, I’ll by no means waver.”

You possibly can learn an abridged model of Gerson’s full speech under:

Thanks, Tim—and thanks to the panel of artist and songwriter managers for selecting me to obtain this honor.

My love for British and Irish music started the primary time I heard The Beatles. Admittedly, it began as a schoolgirl crush. I vividly keep in mind being within the first grade, asserting to all my associates that I’d marry Paul McCartney.

However quickly, the songs of The Beatles would enter my SOUL. And, they by no means left.

As a few of you realize, I grew up within the nightclub enterprise, sitting ringside as a bit lady, watching a number of the best entertainers of our time.

I considered two of them once I realized I’d be receiving this award—Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck. Each carried out on the night time membership within the early Seventies. I keep in mind each wore tuxedos and had actually lengthy sideburns.

On the time, I used to be too younger to grasp why ladies had been throwing their “knickers”— Isn’t that what you name it?-onstage throughout Tom’s efficiency. And I actually thought it odd that he would use them to wipe his forehead after which throw the sweaty clothes again into the viewers. “Ewwwwww,” thought younger Jody Gerson.

I keep in mind the primary time I watched To Sir With Love. I nonetheless get emotional listening to Lulu sing, “These schoolgirl days of telling tales and biting nails are gone…” What a lyric, what a music.

British music formed my earliest recollections: The Beatles’ “I Wish to Maintain Your Hand,” Petula Clark’s “Downtown,” The Hollies’ “Bus Cease,” The Stones’ “Satisfaction.” Then within the 70s: The Bee Gees, Elton John, Queen, Eric Clapton, Site visitors. Within the 80s: U2, Pet Store Boys, The Conflict, The Police, Eurythmics, Wham!

The music you fall in love with in your youth stays with you endlessly, and a lot of mine got here out of your aspect of the Atlantic.

I just lately watched the documentary on Dwell Support and was reminded of Bob Geldof’s ardour for doing the correct factor—and the way that day confirmed the true UNIFYING energy of music. I’ve the UTMOST admiration for Bob and all of the British and Irish artists who participated in that historic occasion—really the one best factor the music trade ever did for the world.

British and Irish songwriters type a lot of UMPG’s basis—iconic songwriters and artists like Elton John and Bernie Taupin, The Conflict, Mark Knopfler, The Remedy, Pleasure Division and New Order, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Annie Lennox, the Bee Gees and lots of extra.

As a matter of truth, once I first joined UMPG, essentially the most profitable artists on the worldwide roster had been signed out of our UK workplace: Adele, Mumford and Sons, Coldplay, Child Harpoon and Florence Welch.

Although all of their offers had been up once I joined the corporate, and I’m proud to say all of them are STILL signed to us!

When Mike McCormack determined to step down from his MD position, main our UK workplace with such distinction, I knew we wanted somebody who might honor his legacy and in addition speed up it. There was just one one who might fill Mike’s sneakers—and sure, he was… AMERICAN.

Hear, I needed to hear about Cricket from Mike for YEARS. I believe you possibly can deal with some American soccer.

Really, you can not have a greater advocate than David Grey, whose deep love and understanding of British and Irish music is unbounded. But when he begins to undertake a British accent—please inform me. That’s simply NOT OK.

Thanks, David—and thanks to our unimaginable UK workforce members right here tonight: Rob Morris, Tom Foster, and our VERY deserving nominees, Pete Simmons, Maddy Gardiner, and Colette Goodfellow.

My gratitude additionally extends to 2 extraordinary London-based leaders: Tash Baldwin, who runs World Classics, Jazz & Display, and Jane Carter, who heads Manufacturing Music.

At UMPG, we are going to proceed to signal British and Irish songwriters regionally—and help them GLOBALLY.

The work of a music writer is a continuing battle to make sure that songs are valued and that songwriters are correctly compensated—whether or not in streaming, on rising digital platforms, or particularly now with the rise of AI.

AI is evolving at warp velocity. It’s essential that we stay open to the chances that new applied sciences current—and channel them towards significant, inventive innovation.

On the similar time, AI can and will help the work of writers and publishers: serving to us accumulate extra effectively, observe infringement extra precisely, and safeguard the rights of the proficient individuals who create the music we love.

However I would like each British and Irish songwriter to listen to this: I’m in your aspect. I get up day-after-day with one overriding mission—to PROTECT HUMAN SONGWRITERS. On that, I’ll by no means waver.

I’m deeply grateful for this honor. I AM in service to British and Irish music—and I at all times shall be.

Thanks.Music Enterprise Worldwide