Overcoming Tyranny of distance - music industry export group announced

A ‘who’s who’ of New Zealand music has signed up to the Government’s Music Industry Export Development Group to help identify what needs to be done to take New Zealand music to the world, by boosting sales and increasing awareness of New Zealand talent.

The 17-member group, picked for its commercial experience and strategic thinking, was announced today by the Economic, Industry and Regional Development Minister, Jim Anderton and the Arts, Culture and Heritage Associate Minister, Judith Tizard.

Jim Anderton said the New Zealand music industry was currently strong domestically. “What we have got to do internally is build on that domestic strength to become a real force internationally.

“I want this group to be focused on economic development, through exports, of the domestic, and particularly New Zealand-owned, music industry.” The export group includes New Zealanders who have played leading roles in international music, top industry promoters, musicians and representatives from independent recording companies, major international recording companies, Maori and Pacific music and the New Zealand Music Industry Commission.

Judith Tizard said, “there is no better promotion for New Zealand than our forms of cultural expression, like music. The formation of this Export Group, building on our local industry strength and supported by the who’s who of New Zealand music, is a vital step in giving New Zealand music the international prominence it deserves”.

The membership of the Music Industry Export Development Group is: Brent Hanson - A New Zealander who currently chairs MTV Europe. Mike Chunn - Ex Split Enz and Director of New Zealand operations of APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association). Moana Maniapoto - Founder member of Moana and the Moahunters and Moana and the Tribe. Chair of Maori Music Industry Coalition. Simon Baeyertz – A New Zealander based in New York, Head of International for V2 Records. Ray Columbus – Artist manager, musician and industry identity. Frankie Stevens – Leading performer and entertainer with wide international experience. Mark Ashbridge – Chief executive of Festival Mushroom Records Ltd. Malcolm Black - A music industry lawyer, now Director of A & R (Artists & Repertoire) at Sony Music (NZ) Ltd; founded independent label, Hearts Music. Chris Chetland - Founder of Kog Transmissions Ltd, Independent electronic & techno-dance music recording company. Hannah Cornwell - Shareholder and Marketing Manager of Loop Interactive, Wellington independent recording company specialising in urban sound. Paul Ellis – Former vice president, Sony Music Publishing. He has recently returned to New Zealand. Adam Holt - CEO of Universal Music (NZ) Ltd Ben Howe – Founder of independent recording company, Arch Hill Records. Founder President of Independent Music NZ Ltd. Cath Andersen – Chief executive of the New Zealand Music Industry Commission. Andy Murnane – Chief executive and co-founder of Dawn Raid, a South Auckland independent recording company. Campbell Smith – A lawyer and principal of CRS Music Management, representing multi-platinum artists Bic Runga, Blindspott, Stellar and others. Angus Vail - A New Zealander, operating a New York-based legal and financial services company in the Music Industry. Managed US super group Kiss, and manages North American interests of NZ band Pacifier.

Working Groups formed of industry professionals, will also feed into the work of the group. Their work will cover key areas such as export distribution, niche music markets, Maori music, professional development and training, broadcasting, digitalisation of music and intellectual property retention.

This review will provide material for the export group when it meets for the first time for a three-day session in September.

Jim Anderton said the Government wanted the group to provide it with an agreed industry plan that sets out what the industry and government, in partnership, need to do to realise and sustain the export potential of the New Zealand music industry.

The music industry is one the Creative Industries identified by the Government as a key economic sector to help New Zealand reach its economic growth targets.

Editor’s notes The New Zealand music industry is a $146 million industry (Dialogue Consultants report for NZ Music Commission, 2001) Its exports in 2000-01 exceeded $5 million, including royalties The Music Industry Export Development Group is not a Growth and Innovation Framework taskforce. It is an initiative within the creative industries development strategy.

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