| Revision as of 21:36, 18 August 2008 editSlysplace (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers24,252 editsm Disambiguation of musical genres← Previous edit | Revision as of 09:18, 23 August 2008 edit undoMatt Fitzpatrick (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Template editors6,532 edits reverting 3 edits by Dfbills: copyvio, possible coi/povNext edit → | ||
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| <!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->'''Broadcast Music, Incorporated''' ('''BMI''') is a US ]. It collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as ] to those members whose works have been performed. | |||
| {{copypaste}}{{Advert|date=August 2008}} | |||
| ]'''Broadcast Music, Incorporated''' ('''BMI''') is a US ]. It collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as ] to those members whose works have been performed. | |||
| == |
==History== | ||
| BMI was founded by radio executives in 1939 to provide competition in the field of performing rights, to assure royalty payments to writers and publishers of music not represented by the existing performing right organizations, and to provide an alternative source of licensing for all music users. The company was established as competition for ], which had dominated the music-licensing industries for decades. | |||
| ''BMI is a performing right organization: It collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.'' | |||
| BMI was the first performing rights organization in the United States to represent songwriters of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ultimately, ]. During the 1940s and 1950s, BMI was the primary licensing organization for Country artists and R&B artists, while ASCAP centered on more established Pop artists. Also during this time, BMI expanded its repertoire of ] and now represents the majority of the members of the prestigious ] and the winners of 29 ]. | |||
| As a ''performing right organization'', BMI issues licenses to various users of music, including television and radio stations and networks; new media, including the Internet and mobile technologies such as ringtones and ringbacks; satellite audio services like XM and Sirius; nightclubs, discos, hotels, bars, restaurants and other venues; digital jukeboxes; and live concerts. It then tracks public performances of its members’ music, and collects and distributes licensing revenues for those performances as royalties to more than 375,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers it represents, as well as the thousands of creators from around the world who have chosen BMI for representation in the U.S. | |||
| ==Business== | |||
| BMI currently represents more than 6.5 million compositions — a number that is constantly growing. As a result, BMI has, over the years, sought out and implemented a number of technological innovations in its continuing effort to gather the most accurate information available about where, when and how its members’ compositions are used as well as ensuring that payment to those whose works have been performed is made in as precise and timely a manner as possible. | |||
| A non-profit making entity, BMI issues licenses to users of music, including: | |||
| *television and radio stations and networks; | |||
| *new media, including the Internet and mobile technologies such as podcasts, ringtones and ringbacks; | |||
| *satellite audio services like XM and Sirius; | |||
| *nightclubs, discos, hotels, bars, and restaurants; | |||
| *symphony orchestras, concert bands, and classical chamber music ensembles; | |||
| *digital jukeboxes; | |||
| *live concerts. | |||
| BMI tracks public performances 6.5 million works and collects and distributes licensing revenues for those performances as royalties to over 350,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers it represents, and thousands of creators around the world who have chosen BMI for representation in the U.S. | |||
| ==Tradition== | |||
| ''BMI’s formation provided an “open door” to writers of all genres of music, many of whom had no prior access to performing right representation.'' | |||
| BMI annually hosts award shows for the purpose of giving awards to songwriters. | |||
| Formed in 1939 as a non-profit-making performing right organization, BMI was the first to offer representation to songwriters of ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and, ultimately, ]. | |||
| BMI supports artists such as ], ], and ]. | |||
| BMI was founded by radio executives to provide competition in the field of performing rights, to assure royalty payments to writers and publishers of music not represented by the existing performing right organization and to provide an alternative source of licensing for all music users. | |||
| BMI’s history coincides with one of the most vibrant, evolving and challenging periods in music history. As popular music has moved from ] to rock & roll and ], and formats have evolved from 78 and 33 1/3-rpm vinyl records to compact discs, MP3s and beyond, BMI has worked on behalf of its members to maintain a leadership position not only in the United States, but worldwide. | |||
| Underlying everything BMI does is its philosophy: an open-door policy that welcomes songwriters, composers and music publishers of all disciplines, and helps them develop both the creative and business skills crucial to a career in music. | |||
| ==Money Matters== | |||
| ''BMI will distribute more than $732 million in royalties for its 2006-2007 fiscal year to the songwriters, composers and copyright owners it represents, an eight percent increase over the prior fiscal year.'' | |||
| '''Licensing''' | |||
| BMI has set benchmarks in licensing fees, moving to flat fee payments as markets reach maturity. Emerging markets continue to be licensed on a percentage-of-revenue basis, allowing the company’s revenues to grow as those markets grow. BMI’s market share reflects the popularity of its songwriters’ and composers’ works and is a prime factor in determining license fees. | |||
| '''Data Collection''' | |||
| BMI combines census and sample airplay data totaling more than 4,000,000 hours, providing the most detailed and wide-ranging picture of radio airplay available in the entertainment industry today. BMI’s analysis of TV music is drawn from a survey of more than 15,000,000 broadcast hours per year. | |||
| ==Career-Building & Songwriter Support== | |||
| ''BMI offers a nationwide series of industry showcases, seminars, professional workshops and podcasts to assist in professional development.'' | |||
| BMI offers an array of services and programs, including showcases, workshops and podcasts, to help members develop their skills and gain industry exposure. In addition, BMI offers broad-spectrum musical instrument, health and life insurance programs, along with discounts on professional tools, subscriptions, computer hardware & software, and more. | |||
| '''Showcases''' | |||
| Showcases include regularly scheduled BMI events along with special BMI showcases at major industry gatherings, which spotlight developing acts for invited audiences of record company executives, music publishers and artist managers. For a look at upcoming showcases and events, click here. | |||
| '''Workshops''' | |||
| BMI also sponsors a series of industry-leading professional workshops in a variety of genres, including: | |||
| BMI Jazz Composers Workshop | |||
| BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop | |||
| BMI Songwriters Workshop | |||
| BMI Conductors Workshop | |||
| Sundance Film Composers Workshop | |||
| …and many more | |||
| '''Podcasts''' | |||
| BMI’s See It Hear FirstTM podcast is a monthly radio-format show featuring hot new BMI songwriters. The podcast is sent directly to thousands of industry professionals and heard around the world by fans nearly 100 countries. All editions of the See It Hear First podcast series are available for downloading at bmi.com/podcast. They may also be downloaded on iTunes as part of Apple’s free podcast directory at bmi.com/itunes. The podcast has featured songwriter/artists in monthly shows ranging from pop and rock to country and Latin, with several of the featured artists having since been signed to major-label recording contracts. To listen to the latest podcast, click here. | |||
| '''Insurance''' | |||
| BMI offer’s the industry’s most respected—and affordable—insurance coverage for musical instruments and equipment from MusicPro, the industry’s acknowledged leader. MusicPro is able to offer economical rates thanks to the combined buying power of thousands of music industry professionals. MusicPro also offers health and life insurance | |||
| '''Discounts''' | |||
| The discounts area of bmi.com offers great deals on computer hardware and software, CD duplication, musical instrument insurance, magazine subscriptions, membership in professional organizations and much more. New discounts include Sonicbids, XM Satellite Radio, Berklee Music and Discrete Drums. Learn more | |||
| '''BMI’s Support for the Arts''' | |||
| BMI has a long tradition of honoring and supporting the creators of all genres of music, and those who bring that music to the public. Support for future generations of musical creators has been a special focus at BMI. Following is a partial list of organizations and activities that receive significant professional or financial support from BMI. | |||
| ==Technology Leaders== | |||
| BMI is the acknowledged leader in developing and implementing cutting-edge tools for use in the performing rights arena. | |||
| BMI is in the top 10 percent of the most effective users of information systems in the United States. Our online capability keeps us – and our songwriters, composers and publishers – in instant touch with more than 6.5 million musical works, more than 375,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, more than 100,000 cue sheets, and tens of thousands of establishments licensed by BMI. | |||
| This means instantaneous information on catalog, royalties and contract status. Computerization has facilitated the collection of performance data, distribution of royalty payments, management of licensing fees and automation of accounting functions. No other licensing organization can boast of such an extensive and accessible body of information. | |||
| BMI has developed cutting-edge online tools to manage accounts, copyright and affiliation. Visit this page for more information on end-user tools. | |||
| '''BMI’s Technology Timeline:''' | |||
| '''1972''' | |||
| BMI installs a Univac mainframe computer (industry first); transfers song registration to mainframe database, permitting songwriters and publishers to call and get instant response to catalog inquiries. | |||
| '''1992''' | |||
| BMI debuts industry’s first online publisher song registration program. | |||
| '''1994''' | |||
| bmi.com, first music industry website, launched | |||
| '''1995''' | |||
| BMI signs industry’s first Internet performing rights license. | |||
| BMI posts entire song database (7.5 million data items, updated weekly) in a searchable format on bmi.com. | |||
| '''2000''' | |||
| BMI launches online song registration program for songwriters and composers. As of 2006, more than 80% of all song registrations are submitted electronically. | |||
| Digital Licensing Center® offers end-to-end online licensing and licensing fee-payment system for webcasters. As of the close of 2006, almost 650 websites have been licensed through the DLC. | |||
| Electronic Music Reporting (EMR) system allows stations to use existing computer programs to create music-use reports that are uploaded to BMI over a secure Internet connection. As of December 2006, almost 60% of stations with EMR capability are submitting reports through the system. | |||
| BMI, along with partners SACEM (France), GEMA (Germany), SIAE (Italy) and SGAE (Spain), launches FastTrack, an international technical alliance dedicated to improving the speed, accuracy and efficiency of data for distribution of international royalties. FastTrack currently comprises 12 performing right societies in 11 different countries, representing the vast majority of the global musical repertoire. | |||
| '''2001''' | |||
| bmi.com, receiving 1 million page views per month, is named winner in the “Best Organisation” category of the prestigious Second Annual MidemNet Awards, the international competition for the best music websites. | |||
| BMI signs industry’s first ringtones licensing agreement with wireless entertainment company Zingy. | |||
| BMI debuts online catalog and royalty statement review, allowing affiliates to access their repertoire and royalty information at the click of a mouse. | |||
| '''2004''' | |||
| BMI co-sponsors launch of Songwriter101.com, the first website dedicated to helping the next generation of songwriters learn the ins and outs of the business side of the creative process. As of December, 2006, website boasts more than 25,000 members. | |||
| '''2005''' | |||
| BMI launches “See It Hear First” podcasts, the first music industry podcast to be featured in the iTunes directory. Several featured groups have since landed major recording and publishing deals. | |||
| BMI acquires state-of-the-art digital recognition technology, named BlueArrowSM, and launches Landmark Digital ServicesSM to develop applications for tracking music on the radio, television and digital media, including the Internet. | |||
| BMI debuts industry’s first end-to-end online membership application process for new songwriters. | |||
| BMI licenses vast majority of mobile entertainment industry, bringing in more than $4 million in ringtone royalties. | |||
| '''2006''' | |||
| BMI New Media revenues exceed $16.1 million, with more than 500 new licensing agreements negotiated and signed, bringing the total number of licensed digital media properties to more than 4,100. | |||
| At the close of 2006, bmi.com is receiving more than 5 million page views per month, making it the most-visited website in the music industry. | |||
| '''2007''' | |||
| BMI launches the 10th major revision of BMI.com. We’ve come a long way since we launched the “industry’s first” website in 1994 – BMI.com version 1.0. | |||
| BMI unveils online licensing, renewals and account management for General Licensing customers. | |||
| BMI launches the Online Affiliation version 3. | |||
| == Awards and Honors == | |||
| ''BMI is the leader in the industry's most important awards and honors presentations. Its roster of songwriters and composers is unparalleled in its depth and breadth, ranging from industry to legends to the best of today’s hitmakers.'' | |||
| BMI songwriters’ and composers’ success is unequaled in the industry, as evidenced by their dominance of the industry’s most prestigious awards and honors presentations over the years. | |||
| '''Roster Strength''' | |||
| A quick scan of BMI’s legendary roster turns up such names as John Lennon, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Dave Brubeck, Willie Nelson, The Eagles, Thelonious Monk, Carlos Santana, The Beach Boys, The Neville Brothers, The Who, Aretha Franklin, Waylon Jennings, Charles Ives, John Kander & Fred Ebb, Leadbelly, John Williams, The Bee Gees, B.B. King, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and – via its affiliation with the British performing rights organization PRS – David Bowie, Sir Elton John and Eric Clapton. | |||
| The need to stay current is one of the music industry’s driving forces, and BMI meets that mandate with such names as Kanye West, the Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, John Adams, Juanes, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Lil Jon, Mike Post, Juan Luis Guerra, John Legend, Tim McGraw, Conor Oberst, Keane, Don Omar, Thomas Newman, Snow Patrol, Snuffy Walden, William Bolcom, Ivy Queen, Snoop Dogg and many other top names on the contemporary scene. | |||
| == International Leadership == | |||
| ''BMI is an acknowledged leader in the international copyright community.'' | |||
| Today’s music marketplace is truly global and BMI is the acknowledged leader in developing cutting-edge international royalty accounting and collection systems. BMI was the prime developer for digital tools now employed worldwide by the international organization representing creative professionals, CISAC. | |||
| Close collaboration between BMI and creators’ organizations in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K. spawned FastTrack, the world’s largest technical alliance, jointly representing well over 80% of the world’s music. When your music is played overseas, the FastTrack system assures rapid, accurate accounting for your foreign royalties. | |||
| BMI’s reciprocal agreements with more than 70 international copyright organizations bring in more that $200 million annually for BMI’s U.S. songwriters and composers. | |||
| ==BMI Leadership== | |||
| ''BMI executives' knowledge and experience is unparalleled in the industry.'' | |||
| BMI’s top management consists of individuals with backgrounds deeply rooted in all genres of contemporary popular music and those with expertise in all areas of business development, including finance, licensing and copyright law. As recognized leaders in the music industry, BMI executives are often called upon to share their knowledge and expertise in Washington, D.C. and at seminars, panel discussions and conferences across the country and around the world. | |||
| Del Bryant - President & CEO | |||
| John E. Cody - Executive Vice President & COO | |||
| '''Senior Management''' | |||
| Marvin L. Berenson - Senior Vice President & General Counsel | |||
| Fred Cannon - Senior Vice President, Government Relations | |||
| Bruce A. Esworthy - Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer | |||
| Phillip R. Graham - Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations | |||
| Milton T. Laughlin, Senior Vice President, Operations & Information Technology | |||
| Michael O’Neill - Senior Vice President, Licensing | |||
| Alison Smith - Senior Vice President, Performing Rights | |||
| Ron Solleveld - Senior Vice President, International | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 09:18, 23 August 2008
Broadcast Music, Incorporated (BMI) is a US performing rights organization. It collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.
History
BMI was founded by radio executives in 1939 to provide competition in the field of performing rights, to assure royalty payments to writers and publishers of music not represented by the existing performing right organizations, and to provide an alternative source of licensing for all music users. The company was established as competition for ASCAP, which had dominated the music-licensing industries for decades.
BMI was the first performing rights organization in the United States to represent songwriters of blues, country, jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel, folk, Latin, and ultimately, rock and roll. During the 1940s and 1950s, BMI was the primary licensing organization for Country artists and R&B artists, while ASCAP centered on more established Pop artists. Also during this time, BMI expanded its repertoire of classical music and now represents the majority of the members of the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Letters and the winners of 29 Pulitzer Prizes for Music.
Business
A non-profit making entity, BMI issues licenses to users of music, including:
- television and radio stations and networks;
- new media, including the Internet and mobile technologies such as podcasts, ringtones and ringbacks;
- satellite audio services like XM and Sirius;
- nightclubs, discos, hotels, bars, and restaurants;
- symphony orchestras, concert bands, and classical chamber music ensembles;
- digital jukeboxes;
- live concerts.
BMI tracks public performances 6.5 million works and collects and distributes licensing revenues for those performances as royalties to over 350,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers it represents, and thousands of creators around the world who have chosen BMI for representation in the U.S.
BMI annually hosts award shows for the purpose of giving awards to songwriters.
BMI supports artists such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Billy Bob Thorton, and Three Days Grace.