The Association of Music Producers (AMP), which has chapters in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, elected officers for 2001, during a meeting attended by the national board in Manhattan, on Jan. 10.
Re-elected president was Lyle Greenfield, who has held that position since the organization’s inception in ’98. Greenfield is president/creative director of New York-headquartered Bang music+sound design. During the meeting, Greenfield nominated Jeff Rosner, founder of New York-based Sacred Noise, as president. However, citing the youthfulness of the organization, the evolving strategic partnership with the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) and the aggressive agenda that has carried over from the previous year, the board asked Greenfield to stay on as president for one more year.
Rosner was elected as VP of the national board and will work closely with Greenfield. Additionally, Rosner was voted as the president-elect and will begin serving as AMP’s president in January ’02. Rosner is a veteran of the music production industry, having co-founded New York-headquartered JSM in ’85. He left JSM in ’95 to start Sacred Noise.
The board of directors also unanimously voted to re-appoint Jan Horowitz as secretary. Horowitz, who is VP/business manager for David Horowitz Music Associates, New York, has held the position for the past two years. However, she has removed herself as treasurer, and that role has been taken on by Larry Geismar, executive producer of North Forty Music, New York.
Additionally, a member from each of AMP’s chapters in Los Angeles and Chicago was appointed as VP on the national board. Steve Ford, president/composer/executive producer, Steve Ford Music, Chicago, who is president of AMP’s Chicago chapter, agreed to be a VP of the national organization. At press time, the board was waiting on confirmation as to who will be the designated VP from the West Coast.
The agenda for the next 12 months is being discussed by the elected officers. However, Greenfield identified Music Rights Agreement language, particularly as it pertains to indemnification, as a priority. "I think we are going to have a lot to say about this particular issue, because in the litigious climate we find ourselves in today, and with so much music licensing going on, many agencies and their clients and a handful of music companies have found themselves stung by infringement claims, even frivolous infringement claims," he told SHOOT. "Agencies, of course, in their traditional paperwork have asked that composers and music companies indemnify and protect them [the agencies] against claims, whether the claims are frivolous or not. It’s an issue we are going to address and try to work out an intelligent and equitable approach to."
Another prime agenda item regards holding a benefit concert in October to raise funds for a yet-to-be-named charity.
Greenfield told SHOOT that he was "humbled and flattered" to be voted back in as president. "There’s no way I would abandon this organization prematurely, whether I was president or not," he related.
On the decision to appoint Rosner as the presidential heir, Greenfield said that, apart from being his best friend, his successor has been committed to AMP since its inception, showing up at every meeting and speaking intelligently on the problems that have been discussed. "He has a tremendous amount of experience in our industry …," continued Greenfield, "and is profoundly aware of what is going on from both the agency and the music industry’s point of view. He knows everybody, he’s smart, tremendously affable and very much a logical choice."
Rosner has been on the national board for the past two years, and over the next year will work closely with Greenfield in order to gain an understanding of the presidential position and responsibilities in preparation for taking on the role next year.
"I’m excited about what AMP is bringing to the music industry. We are clearly looking to find ways to maintain and enhance the respect we receive from the advertising community," he said.
Commenting on the election of officers, AICP president Matt Miller said that AMP had made a progressive step in lining up a succession of leadership. "I think it’s an obvious move for them at this point. They are now gaining a bit of maturity, and it’s time for them to think about the future of the organization—not just the present," he said.
"In keeping Lyle in place, electing Jeff as the heir-apparent and electing a VP from each region to the national board, the organization ensures there is continuity and communication between all the members nationwide, and makes sure that the transition is smooth when Lyle’s term is over," concluded Miller.
