Music Managers Forum

Music Managers Forum
Name	Music Managers Forum
Founded	1992
Founder	Paul Allen, Stephen Budd
Headquarters	London
Region	United Kingdom
Members	Artist managers, management companies

Music Managers Forum

The Music Managers Forum is a UK-based membership organisation representing artist managers and management companies involved with popular music, classical music, jazz, electronic music, and other genres. It acts as a trade body, professional network, and campaigning group engaging with institutions including British Phonographic Industry, PRS for Music, The Ivors Academy, Musicians' Union, and legislative bodies such as the Parliament of the United Kingdom on matters affecting recorded music, live performance, licensing, and artist rights. Its constituency overlaps with managers of artists linked to labels like Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and with stakeholders from organisations such as Association of Independent Music and BPI.

History

Founded in 1992 by figures including Paul Allen and Stephen Budd, the organisation emerged amid shifts in the music industry triggered by the rise of compact disc distribution, the growth of independent record labels, and the early digital disruption led by services associated with Napster and peer-to-peer networks. Early activity addressed management standards, contracts with record labels, and touring arrangements involving venues like O2 Arena and promoters such as Live Nation Entertainment and AEG Presents. During the 2000s and 2010s the organisation expanded in response to streaming services operated by Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, participating in debates alongside rights organisations including SoundExchange and Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society. Its historical campaigns intersected with legislative moments such as the passage of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 updates and consultations around the Digital Economy Act 2010.

Mission and Activities

The organisation's stated mission emphasizes protecting and advancing the commercial, creative, and legal interests of artist managers and their clients across markets like the United Kingdom, United States, and European Union. Activities include collective bargaining with entities such as venues and festival organisers—examples include negotiations affecting events like Glastonbury Festival and Isle of Wight Festival—and providing guidance on exploitation strategies involving majors (Universal, Sony, Warner) and independents such as Rough Trade Records and Domino Recording Company. It issues model agreements, negotiation briefings, and publishes analyses of revenue streams from sources including streaming, synchronisation licensing for film and television producers such as BBC Studios and Netflix, and secondary markets like merchandising tied to retailers exemplified by HMV.

Membership and Structure

Membership comprises individual managers, boutique management firms, and in some cases corporate manager entities who represent artists on tours, recordings, and merchandising. Governance includes an elected board and regional committees interacting with bodies like Arts Council England and local authorities such as Greater London Authority for cultural policy. Membership tiers provide services ranging from legal clinics leveraging expertise in areas covered by UKIPO and dispute resolution referencing precedents from tribunals such as the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and arbitration panels involving organisations like PRS for Music.

Advocacy and Policy Work

The organisation conducts advocacy on copyright reform, fair remuneration, transparency of digital supply chains, and secondary ticketing; it has campaigned on matters such as the principled treatment of artists by platforms like Spotify and YouTube and engaged with regulators including the Competition and Markets Authority and the European Commission's cultural policy units. Past policy interventions addressed emergency relief measures during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic through lobbying of the UK Government and cultural funding bodies including Arts Council England for support schemes affecting touring and live music workers.

Education and Training

It runs educational programmes, mentoring schemes, and workshops covering artist development, rights administration, and commercial strategy, often in partnership with organisations such as The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and academic institutions including University of Westminster and BIMM University. Courses span negotiating with rights holders like PRSMusic and MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society), financial planning for touring with promoters such as SJM Concerts, and digital marketing techniques involving platforms like TikTok and Instagram to build fanbases.

Events and Awards

The organisation organises conferences, roundtables, and networking events attracting managers of artists showcased at festivals such as Reading and Leeds Festivals and presenters from broadcasters like BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM. It hosts showcases, masterclasses, and participates in industry gatherings including MIDEM and SXSW, and recognises achievement through awards or recognition programmes that highlight notable managers and campaigns linked to artists who have won prizes such as the Mercury Prize, BRIT Awards, and Grammy Awards.

International and Affiliated Organizations

The organisation collaborates with international counterparts including the European Music Managers Alliance, Music Managers North America, and national groups such as Music Managers Forum Australia and Music Managers Forum Canada, aligning on global issues like cross-border licensing, touring visas involving agencies such as Border Force and US Customs and Border Protection, and digital rights frameworks influenced by the WIPO treaties. Affiliated partnerships extend to trade bodies like International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and advocacy coalitions including UK Music.

Category:Music industry organizations