Music
25 Apr 08

IMRO Appoints New CEO

Victor Finn has been appointed as the new CEO of the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO). The announcement was made by the Board of IMRO yesterday.

Finn, who served as Managing Director of The Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (Ireland) from 2001-2008, will take up his position in June.

"Victor Finn's extensive experience within the Irish music market and strong reputation in the International arena are important factors in his appointment to the position," a spokesperson told Hot Press. "He has overseen significant developments in the Irish music publishing industry, as income for publishers and songwriters has shifted from traditional physical product to digital."

Victor Finn is a Chartered Management Accountant with a degree in Marketing from University of Limerick, during his time at MCPS, Finn established successful licensing schemes for CD, DVD and other physical media. Major deals were struck with broadcasters, mobile and music download players, and this is reflected in the positive growth path of MCPS revenues during his tenure there. Finn also brokered ground-breaking joint licensing schemes with IMRO, allowing online music users easier access to both repertoires, while maintaining royalty rates for such uses.

"This is an important time for the creative community, when music and other intellectual property rights are more widely disseminated than ever before," Victor Finn said. "Our objective is to ensure our songwriters and their music publishers receive fair compensation and that our new partners promoting innovative business models can appreciate the value of the rights entrusted to IMRO.

"IMRO is very much at the forefront on the international stage in representing a collective voice for music creators as we face into serious challenges ahead," IMRO chairmasn Keith Donald stated. "The appointment of Mr Finn at this time ensures that we
are in a strong position to tackle the many issues facing the creative community particularly in the online world. Finn's strong stewardship of the organisation at this time will be essential to ensure that the rights of all those represented by IMRO are best protected into the future."