MusicPublishing

Nominations for 2025 AMPAL Board Elections Now Open 

The 2025 AMPAL Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday 25 November 2025. Voting for the election of directors to the AMPAL Board will take place prior to the AGM. 

In accordance with the AMPAL Constitution, nominations for director positions on the AMPAL Board must be received by the Company Secretary by close of business on Friday 26 September 2025. 

If you’re an AMPAL member, you may be eligible to nominate for election to the AMPAL Board. 

This year, there are vacancies for five directors to be elected by the AMPAL membership. The following directors, having served at least three successive annual terms since their last election, are required to retire: 

  • Clive Hodson (Pitch Perfect Publishing) 

  • Karen Hamilton (120 Publishing) 

  • Ralph W Peer (peermusic) 

  • Jodie Feld (BMG) 

Jaime Gough (Concord Music Publishing) has volunteered himself as the fifth retiring director (as required by AMPAL’s Constitution). 

All five directors have expressed their intention to nominate for re-election. 

Board Responsibilities and Expectations 

AMPAL Board members are expected to: 

  • Act with the utmost integrity and objectivity 

  • Strive to enhance AMPAL’s reputation and performance 

  • Uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour 

AMPAL Board members must not: 

  • Improperly use their position or information for personal gain 

  • Engage in business transactions with AMPAL or related entities without full Board approval 

  • Allow conflicts of interest to go unreported 

Directors acknowledge that: 

  • They owe fiduciary duties to AMPAL, including loyalty, diligence and confidentiality 

  • Their primary responsibility is to act in the best interests of AMPAL and its members as a whole 

  • In cases of potential conflict (e.g. dual directorships), their duty to AMPAL takes precedence and they may be required to abstain from voting 

More Information 

To discuss your eligibility or responsibilities as a potential nominee, please contact Damian Rinaldi (AMPAL Company Secretary) at: company.secretary@ampal.com.au 

A formal AGM notice - including nominee details and voting instructions - will be sent to eligible members at least 30 days before the AGM.  

Read the AMPAL Constitution: ampal.com.au/ampal-constitution 

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.

AMPAL’s 2025 Round 2 MAICC Funding Recipients Announced!  

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of AMPAL’s 2025 Round 2 Music Australia International Conference Contribution (MAICC) – Music Publishers program!   

This game-changing initiative is designed to empower Australian music publishers by providing critical financial support to attend major international music conferences, helping them build global networks, expand market knowledge and maximise opportunities for their songwriters.  

Through MAICC funding, these incredible publishers will be representing Australian talent on the world stage, attending industry-defining conferences across the USA, Spain, India, the Netherlands, Singapore and Finland.   

Congratulations to AMPAL’s 2025 Round 2 MAICC recipients!   

📌 Fergus Jenkins – Dew Process Publishing – LA Sync Summit, USA   
📌 Rachel Kelly – Unified Music Group – A2IM Indie Week, USA   
📌 Mathew Tanner – Concord Music Publishing – All About Music, India   
📌 Charlton Hill – Uncanny Valley – Americana Fest, USA   
📌 Alvin Pandey – Gaan Baksho Music – All That Matters, Singapore   
📌 Art Phillips – 101 Music Publishing – Production Music Association Conference, USA   
📌 Linda Bosidis – Mushroom Music Publishing – IMPF Conference, Spain   
📌 Matthew Donlevy – Cooking Vinyl Publishing – IMPF Conference, Spain  
📌 Karen Hamilton – 120 Publishing – ADE, Netherlands   
📌 Tess Nicolaou – peermusic – ADE, Netherlands   
📌 Adam Dunning – Sunset Club – WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo), Finland   
📌 Briese Abbott – Kobalt Music Publishing – Music Tectonics, USA   

Charlton Hill (Uncanny Valley), one of our newest AMPAL members and a first-time MAICC recipient, shared:  

“Just a note to say that we are delighted to hear news of our successful MAICC grant application! The timing could not be better for this support, and our plans for Nashville are already in full swing… thank you again for your support in helping us as a publisher to keep building a stronger international pipeline for our current and emerging songwriters.”  

We can’t wait to see the impact these publishers will make on the global stage!  

For more information about MAICC funding and future rounds, visit https://www.ampal.com.au/maicc-2025 or contact maicc@ampal.com.au.  

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