Bob Aird
At a presentation ceremony hosted by the AMPAL Board of Directors, the Chair of AMPAL, Matthew Capper (Warner Chappell Music Australia), Deputy Chair, Clive Hodson (Perfect Pitch Publishing) and General Manager, Matthew O'Sullivan, have presented the AMPAL Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Publishing to retiring AMPAL Board Director, Bob Aird. The award recognises Mr Aird’s commitment to the Australian and New Zealand music publishing sector, his work on behalf of songwriters and composers over many years, and Mr Aird’s service to the AMPAL Board. Mr Aird joined the AMPAL Board of Directors in 1986, and recently retired as Managing Director of Universal Music Publishing Pty Limited. Mr Aird will be stepping down from the AMPAL Board at the upcoming Annual General Meeting in November.
Mr Capper remarked that, "It has been such a great privilege to work with Bob. He has always been a strong, vocal, supporter of the incredible music coming out of Australia and New Zealand, and our industry owes him a debt of gratitude. His acumen, and wit, will be sorely missed”. Mr Hodson added, “It has been an honour to have worked with Bob both as a colleague and board member over many years. Bob has been at the forefront of the enormous changes that we’ve seen in music publishing, and particularly in copyright protection for publishers and songwriters. His leadership in this area is undeniable”. Mr O'Sullivan commented at the ceremony, "AMPAL is grateful for Bob’s vast contribution to the AMPAL Board, and dedication to Australian and New Zealand music publishers, and their songwriter and composer partners. Bob’s retirement will be a great loss to AMPAL and the industry more broadly". Mr Aird commented, “It has been a privilege to be part of the AMPAL Board which has been so successful in promoting and protecting the rights of Australian and New Zealand music publishers, and the songwriters and composers they represent. We really have made a difference. Long may it continue”.
It is only the third time that the AMPAL Board has presented the Award, following the presentation in 2016 to founding AMPAL member J. Albert & Son Pty Ltd (Alberts), and the presentation in 2018 to Brett Cottle AM.
