NMPA Annual Meeting to Include Jon Bon Jovi, Rep. Doug Collins, Sprint’s Dan Hesse and CTIA’s Meredith Attwell Baker
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / May 30, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) will present this year’s Songwriter Icon Award to Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Jon Bon Jovi and the 2014 President’s Award to U.S. Congressman Doug Collins at their annual meeting on June 11th. The meeting will also include a keynote discussion with Sprint CEO Dan Hesse and CTIA president and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker, as well as a “state of the industry” report from NMPA president and CEO David Israelite.
“This year’s meeting is a reflection of the excitement and dynamic growth underway in music publishing. NMPA is honored to recognize Jon Bon Jovi and U.S. Rep. Doug Collins and I am extremely pleased to present awards to both of them at our upcoming Annual Meeting,” said Israelite. “Jon Bon Jovi has written and performed some of the greatest songs in our nation's history, and his commitment to helping families and strengthening communities truly makes him an icon.”
“Congressman Collins has embraced his role as a champion of creator’s rights,” continued Israelite. “His love of music has cultivated a true ally in Washington that understands the challenges currently facing our industry and who looks ahead to anticipate how our country can preserve the economic value of music in the digital age.”
The Songwriter Icon Award recognizes outstanding songwriters for personal achievement and the embodiment of the vision of NMPA. Musically, Jon Bon Jovi has continued to write and record a catalogue of iconic works over the past three decades; including #1 songs such as “Livin’ on Prayer”, “It’s My Life”, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” and countless others. In addition to the unparalleled list of accolades BON JOVI has received, including a Grammy Award, Jon Bon Jovi has received an Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture. Most recently, BON JOVI had yet another record-breaking year with a No. 1 album and worldwide tour adding on to a career of 96 No. 1 chart debuts, 37.5 million tickets and over 130 million albums sold.
Philanthropically, Jon Bon Jovi is the Chairman of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which exists to combat issues that force families and individuals into economic despair. Since 2006, the Foundation has helped provide over 440 units of affordable housing and shelter. In October 2011, the organization expanded by opening the JBJ Soul Kitchen to address issues of food insecurity, and has since served over 23,500 meals. The community kitchen serves nutritious, culinary dishes in a restaurant atmosphere where diners contribute either volunteer hours or a minimum donation for their meals.
The President's Award recognizes a policymaker who has been a leader on issues of importance to music publishers and songwriters. This year's winner, Georgia Congressman Doug Collins, has demonstrated a true understanding for the issues facing songwriters and music publishers, especially given today's rapidly advancing technologies.
Collins is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and sits on the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, which is responsible for examining copyright-related matters. As a first-term Member of Congress, Collins introduced the Songwriter Equity Act of 2014, an NMPA-supported bill that addresses two significant inequities under current copyright law that prevent songwriters and music publishers from receiving compensation that reflects the fair market value of their work. As Congress continues to review the impact of technological advances in the today's music industry and how current copyright laws may need to be revised to better reflect these advances, Collins will play a key role in protecting the rights of songwriters and music publishers.
**The NMPA Annual Meeting will be held in New York City on June 11 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Members of the media are invited to attend but must register in advance with Amy Lee at 202.280.8816 or amy@133publicaffairs.com**
About the NMPA: Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) is the trade association representing American music publishers and their songwriting partners. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and songwriters in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights.
About the Songwriter Icon Award: The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) established the Songwriter Icon Award in 2006 to recognize outstanding songwriters for personal achievement and who personify the vision of NMPA and the goals of its members. Past recipients include Steve Cropper, Richard Marx, Diane Warren, Kara DioGuardi, Amy Lee, Neil Sedaka, Jimmy Webb and Toby Keith.
About the President’s Award: The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) established the President’s Award in 2005 to recognize an individual who has been a leader on issues of importance to music publishers and songwriters, and who works diligently to strengthen intellectual property protection. Past recipients include Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC), Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL).