AMPAL announces Round 4 recipients of the 2025 Music Australia International Conference Contribution (MAICC) – Music Publishers Progra

AMPAL is delighted to bid bon voyage to four more recipients courtesy of the 2025 Round 4 Music Australia International Conference Contribution (MAICC) – Music Publishers Program! 

In this latest round, four outstanding AMPAL members have been awarded funding to represent Australian music publishing on the global stage at four key international industry events: Reeperbahn Festival, All That Matters, IMPF Conference and The Midwest Clinic. 

The MAICC program is a key initiative delivered by AMPAL and supported by Music Australia. It enables Australian music publishers to attend international events, forge new connections and showcase the strength and diversity of local talent to the world. 

Congratulations to our Round 4 2025 MAICC recipients: 

Julian McGruther – Sony Music Publishing 

Reeperbahn Festival 2025 

Hamburg, Germany | 17–20 September 

“AMPAL has long been a champion of Australian music publishers and songwriters, and this initiative with Music Australia gives us the opportunity to enhance the international presence and success of more incredible local talent. Creating exciting, creative and global opportunities for our roster is an ongoing priority for Sony Music Publishing Australia, and I’m proud to be representing that roster and SMP at Reeperbahn this year. Big ups to the AMPAL and Music Australia teams for making it happen!” 

Cathy Nelson-Williams – Wise Music 

All That Matters 2025 

Singapore | 29 September–1 October 

“Excited and grateful to receive this MAICC funding from AMPAL, made possible through Music Australia, to attend All That Matters in Singapore — a fantastic opportunity to connect with the APAC music and media community, build new relationships, and strengthen Wise Music’s presence in a key growth region. 

I’m especially looking forward to immersing myself in the panels, discussions and networking opportunities at this dynamic event. With the APAC region now being led from our Sydney office, the timing couldn’t be better as we focus on making the most of the region’s potential for our writers and catalogue. This experience will allow me to also share insights with fellow Australian music publishers, contributing to a deeper understanding of the Southeast Asian music market.” 

Craig Redfearn – ORiGiN Music Publishing 

IMPF Conference 2025 

Palma de Mallorca, Spain | 7–10 October 

“ORiGiN Music Publishing is honoured and grateful to receive the MAICC grant from AMPAL, supporting our attendance at this year’s IMPF Global Music Summit in Palma in October.  

This opportunity allows us to further develop our international network and connection with global publishing partners. Most importantly we will have the platform to champion the incredible work of our roster of songwriters and composers.  

Thank you to everyone at AMPAL for the generous support.” 

Richard Snape – Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) 

The Midwest Clinic 2025 

Chicago, USA | 17–19 December 

“I am very grateful to AMPAL’s 2025 Music Australia International Conference Contribution program. By receiving this grant, it will allow us to attend the Midwest Music Conference in Chicago in December and further our connections with US print publishers which will allow opportunities for Australian composers and Authors to partner with these publishers. Thanks to this support, our participation is not only possible but positioned for meaningful impact. Thank you again for supporting Australian Music.” 

AMPAL is also pleased to announce dates for two further rounds of MAICC funding for conferences occurring January–June 2026: 

ROUND 1, 2026: For conferences in January–June 2026 

• Applications open: Monday 13 October 2025 

• Applications close: Monday 27 October 2025 (3pm AEDT) 

ROUND 2, 2026: For conferences in March–June 2026 

• Applications open: Monday 2 February 2026 

• Applications close: Monday 16 February 2026 (3pm AEDT) 

AMPAL congratulates all Round 4 recipients and looks forward to the insights, relationships and opportunities they’ll bring back to the wider publishing community. We can’t wait to see the impact these four publishers will make on the global stage and the new pathways they’ll help open for Australian songwriters and composers. 

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia. 

AMPAL Announces 2025 Round 3 MAICC Recipients; Program Extended Through 2026

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of AMPAL’s 2025 Round 3 Music Australia International Conference Contribution (MAICC) – Music Publishers Program!  

On top of that, in exciting news for members, Music Australia has confirmed the MAICC Music Publishers Program will continue through 2026, extending opportunities for music publishers to grow their global networks, deepen industry knowledge and discover new opportunities for their songwriters and composers.  

Damian Rinaldi, AMPAL CEO said: 

“We’re proud to back the next generation of publishers flying the flag for Australian music globally. This program is all about long-term impact: opening doors, building networks and creating meaningful opportunities for music publishers and their songwriters. We’re incredibly grateful to Music Australia for extending the MAICC program through 2026, it’s a powerful vote of confidence in AMPAL’s members and the future of Australian music publishing.” 
 
In Round 3, two of our valued publisher members have been awarded funding to represent Australian music publisher talent, at Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE 2025) and Music Tectonics 2025 (USA) respectively.  

Congratulations to our Round 3 MAICC Recipients:    

Kristy Lee Peters – Sweat It Out  

ADE 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands | 22–26 October 2025  

Representing one of AMPAL’s newest members and a first-time MAICC recipient, Kristy shared:  

“As someone new to the role of music publisher, I’m incredibly thankful to AMPAL for supporting this next step in my journey. Sweat It Out is a small but passionate independent publisher, and being able to attend ADE, and simultaneously running a first of its kind Aussie x ADE song writing camp is a huge moment for us. It’s setting us up as an exciting and strong voice in global dance music publishing, and I’m proud to be representing Australia on that stage.”  

Evan Buist – Melodie  

Music Tectonics 2025 – Los Angeles, USA | 4–6 November 2025  

Also, a first-time MAICC recipient, Evan said:  

 "As an Australian music exporter—and proudly representing dozens of local artists—Melodie is honoured to be a recipient of AMPAL’s 2025 Music Australia International Conference Contribution (MAICC) funding. This important support will enable us to showcase Australian music and licensing tech on the world stage at Music Tectonics in LA. We can’t wait!"  

We can’t wait to see the impact these two publishers will make on the global stage, and the opportunities they’ll create for Australian songwriters and composers.  

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia. 

8.78 billion reasons to take music seriously!

Today, Music Australia dropped The Bass Line, the first report of its kind charting the Australian music industry’s economic power, revealing our sector brought in A$8.78 billion in revenue and contributed A$2.82 billion to Australia’s GDP in 2023–24.

“The Bass Line report finally puts hard numbers behind what we’ve long known – that music publishing, including composition and songwriting, is a A$470 million powerhouse, with A$95 million in export revenue alone, remarkably almost on par with live sector export revenue. This landmark report gives AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited) and its members the evidence we need to push for investment, policy and real support for Australian songwriters in a rapidly shifting music landscape.” Damian Rinaldi, AMPAL CEO

Damian Rinaldi joined a powerhouse panel discussion moderated by Chris Carey to discuss the findings and was joined by Jess Keeley (AAM), Dean Ormston (APRA AMCOS), Jane Slingo (EMC) and Alex Masso (Australian Music Association) to unpack the findings and spotlight the crucial role of music publishing in shaping Australia’s creative and cultural economy.

Huge congratulations to Music Australia and all involved in this milestone moment.

Read The Bass Line Report here: https://creative.gov.au/.../bass-line-charting-economic...

AMPAL welcomes Ministerial reappointments crucial to Australia’s music and creative industries

The Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL) welcomes the reappointment of the Hon Tony Burke MP as Minister for the Arts.

Minister Burke’s first term saw the historic establishment of Music Australia, a critical turning point for our sector. His reappointment ensures continuity and leadership just as many of these long-awaited initiatives begin to come to life.

“Minister Burke’s deep understanding of the sector and commitment to long-term infrastructure for Australian music has already made an indelible impact,” said AMPAL CEO Damian Rinaldi. “We look forward to his continued stewardship as Music Australia moves from blueprint to reality.”

AMPAL also acknowledges key appointments across all portfolios vital to ensuring a strong and sustainable music industry that supports cross-sector collaboration and champions the rights, revenues and recognition of music publishers and songwriters across Australasia.