New Chair for Copyright Licensing New Zealand

1 March 2016

For immediate release

New Chair for Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ)

Copyright Licensing New Zealand has announced the appointment of Dunedin crime writer Vanda Symon to the position of Chair of the Board. Ms Symon takes over from Adrian Keane, Owner and Chief Executive of Edify Ltd, who has held the position since 2012.

CEO of CLNZ, Paula Browning, says the appointment of an author of Ms Symon’s experience and international success is timely given the strategic challenge facing CLNZ in the short to mid-term.

“The government is currently undertaking a study of the creative industries use of copyright and design. It is critical that the report produced by the study recognizes the importance of creators – writers, musicians, artists and others - and their absolute right to earn a living from their work.

CLNZ being led by someone with Vanda’s vast knowledge of the business of writing is vital for the organisation to succeed in influencing future government policy.”

Ms Symon will be supported by Emeritus Professor Pat Walsh, former Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, who steps in to a new role as Deputy Chair. Emeritus Professor Walsh, who is also a published author, has extensive governance experience including being the current Chair of Agri One.

Ms Symon is looking forward to bringing her knowledge and experience of being a working writer establishing and maintaining a career in the arts, and her background of being a New Zealander with Pacific roots, to the role. She also acknowledged Mr Keane’s leadership in the past 4 years, particularly during the period that CLNZ was party to a Copyright Tribunal reference with Universities New Zealand. “Adrian’s in-depth knowledge of the value and use of content in an education setting was vital to achieving the agreement that we now have in place with the universities”.

ENDS

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