Kylie Martin announced as AMPAL Communications & Development Officer

Kylie Martin AMPAL Communications & Development Officer

AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited) is delighted to announce that Kylie Martin has been appointed to the newly created position of AMPAL Communications & Development Officer, effective immediately.  This new consultancy position was made possible through Music Australia’s Core Contribution Funding scheme, and will see Kylie drive AMPAL’s efforts in areas as diverse as communications; website & social media management; grants, funding and sponsorship; membership; and event coordination. 

Kylie brings 30 years of expertise in communications, publicity and brand strategy to AMPAL. As Director of Martini Media, she has led high-impact campaigns, orchestrated red carpet events and built strong industry relationships. Her work with top-tier talent - including Kylie Minogue, Emma Watkins and the ARIA Awards - has cemented her as a leader in PR, talent management and media relations. With a sharp focus on sponsorships, stakeholder engagement and audience growth, Kylie is dedicated to championing music publishers and strengthening the wider industry. 

AMPAL CEO, Damian Rinaldi said of the appointment:  

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have someone of Kylie’s remarkable pedigree ready to energise AMPAL. Many in the Australasian music community will have seen Kylie’s extraordinary work ethic during her label years with EMI/Virgin, Festival Mushroom, and Warner Music, and we look forward to Kylie now having the same impact for the music publishing industry.  Kudos also to Music Australia, whose Core Contribution Funding is a game-changer for organisations like AMPAL as they go to the next level for their constituents.” 

Kylie Martin, AMPAL Communications & Development Officer said:  

“After 30 years working in the Australian music industry across Comms, Events and Management, the opportunity to join the superstars in the music publishing arena has finally become a reality with the planets aligning to join the small but mighty team at AMPAL. Huge thanks to the legends at Music Australia for making this dream role a reality!” 

AMPAL is assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia. 

Charley wins prestigious AMPAL Unpublished Australasian Songwriter Award ... for the second year running!

Who says lightning never strikes twice?! London-based Australian singer-songwriter Charley has taken out the 2024 Unpublished Australasian Songwriter Award, having also won it in 2023. This time, Charley emerged victorious with her song Timebomb, co-written with Anton Engdahl (SE) and Kristin Carpenter (SE), and produced by Anton Engdahl.

On winning this Award (also known colloquially as “the AMPAL Prize”) for the second year running, Charley said, "Winning this award again feels surreal. Timebomb captured the heartache of long-distance love, and knowing it resonates with so many means the world to me. This recognition makes pursuing music a little easier - it’s not easy, especially early on. Right now, I’m in London writing my debut album, and I can’t wait to share it with you."

“Australian and New Zealand songwriters are the lifeblood of AMPAL publisher members, who work tirelessly to sign, nurture and advance the careers of songwriters from this incredibly vibrant part of the world”, said Damian Rinaldi, Chief Executive Officer of AMPAL, on sponsoring the award. “AMPAL is pleased to sponsor the Unpublished Australasian Songwriter Award, which creates a fantastic platform for talented unsigned songwriters who are primed to rise to the next level of their professional songwriting careers.”

As winner of the AMPAL Prize, Charley receives $5,000 proudly presented by AMPAL, as well as a Gibson Guitars Ebony Les Paul Special Tribute (valued at $2,999) with thanks to Australis.

The AMPAL Prize forms part of the prestigious Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, which has once again celebrated some of the world’s most exceptional songwriting talent, with over 3,500 entries from 52 countries. A total of AU$85,000 has been awarded across 15 prizes, with entry fees supporting Noro Music Therapy, an organisation dedicated to transforming lives through music.

Belinda Leonard, CEO of Noro Music Therapy said: “The incredible talent showcased in this year's Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition has done more than impress – it has directly funded vital music therapy services for thousands in need. Noro's programs serve 2,500 weekly clients of all ages – from young children to centenarians – improving clinical outcomes and community engagement. A huge thanks to all the songwriters, sponsors and supporters for making these vital services accessible."

Since its inception, the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition has raised over AU$2million in support of Noro Music Therapy. 

Vale Matthew Capper, former chair of AMPAL and ICMP board member

Matthew Capper (centre) in November 2024 with AMPAL deputy chair Karen Hamilton and retired AMPAL director Peter Hebbes (photo: Gianna Simmonson)

The Australasian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) today joins with the entire Australasian music publishing community in mourning the tragic and unexpected loss of AMPAL luminary Matthew Capper.

Matthew was first elected to the AMPAL board in 2004, and shortly thereafter was also voted on to the AMCOS (2005) and APRA (2007) boards.  In 2013, the AMPAL board voted Matthew as Chair of AMPAL.  Matthew continued on all three boards until his departure from Warner Chappell in early 2024.

Matthew also represented AMPAL on the ICMP (International Confederation of Music Publishers) board both as non-executive director and more recently as treasurer. His involvement with ICMP extended to chairing its Australasia & Asia Regional Group.

Matthew never backed away from a challenge or a job that needed to be done, as best demonstrated recently when Matthew stepped in on an interim basis to carry out the vacant roles of AMPAL general manager and company, in addition to his existing roles as AMPAL chair and managing director of Warner Chappell, all done at a time when AMPAL needed it most. Matthew’s four board positions were in addition to his 20 years at the helm of Warner Chappell Music Australia.

As had been stated many times (most recently at his farewell event in 2024), Matthew always acted with integrity and a passion for music publishing, and was someone who consistently tried to be a force for positive change. 

Clive Hodson, Chair of AMPAL, adds: "Matthew and I worked very closely together at board level, me as deputy to his chair. During the almost 10 years we worked together I witnessed his passion and drive to ensure AMPAL's relevance was front and center for board members, publishers and the music industry. I will miss Matthew greatly for his friendship and dedication to his role as a former chair of AMPAL.

Our thoughts are with Matthew's family and friends at this sad time. He will be missed by many.

For more information contact AMPAL General Manager, Damian Rinaldi: damian.rinaldi@ampal.com.au

2024 AMPAL Board Election Results

The results for the 2024 AMPAL board elections were announced at the AMPAL Annual General Meeting held on 19 November 2024.

Congratulations to the following successful nominees:

Linda Bosidis*

Bernard Depasquale**

Matthew Donlevy***

Jane English*

Fergus Jenkins**

Craig Monagle *

Simon Moor*

Damian Trotter*

Mushroom Music Pty Ltd/Mushroom Music NZ Ltd

Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB)

Frankdon Music/Cooking Vinyl Publishing Australia

Wise Music Pty Ltd

Dew Process Publishing Pty Ltd

Warner Chappell Music Australia

Kobalt Music Publishing Australia P/L

Sony Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd

* Continuing director

** First time director

*** Returning as director having served previously

APRA AMCOS and AMPAL thank Peter Hebbes AM for 50 years’ service to the industry

Credit: Daniel Boud

APRA AMCOS and AMPAL bid farewell to industry legend, Peter Hebbes AM, as he announces his

retirement from the music industry and both Boards ahead of the Annual General Meetings on Tuesday

19 November.

A key player in the music industry for over 50 years, Hebbes was a trusted and respected leader in

music publishing, record labels and artist management. In his retirement, he is being recognised for his

significant contribution to the industry.

Launching his career in London in the 1970s in artist management with the legendary Peter Gormley,

Hebbes worked with superstars including Sir Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John AC DBE and The

Shadows.

The UK company also represented the international arm of Australian independent record label, Festival

Records and Music Publishing. At their invitation, Hebbes moved to Australia in 1977 and took up the

position of A&R Director, before later becoming Managing Director of Festival Music Publishing.

In 1993, Hebbes left the organisation to take up the role of Managing Director of Universal/MCA Music

Publishing Group, before going independent and setting up his own music publishing, business

management and consultancy company, Hebbes Music Group (HMG), in Sydney in 2000.

HMG was named Independent Music Publisher of the Year in 2003 by The Music Network and worked

with countless theatre and screen productions including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Shout and The

Merchants of Bollywood until its sale to Cooking Vinyl Australia in 2024.

In 2006, Hebbes’ contribution to the industry and extensive charity work with organisations like

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy of Australia (now Noro), The Golden Stave Foundation and Variety -

the Children’s Charity, NSW was recognised by the Australian Government with his appointment of

Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

From 2010 to 2012, he took up the role of General Manager of the Australasian Music Publishers

Association Limited (AMPAL), also serving on its Board for over 40 years. Additionally, he had a hand in

the running of several other industry organisations including the Australian Music Centre (AMC) and the

Music Industry Advisory Council (MIAC).

Hebbes served on the Board of the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) from 1988 to

2000, on the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) Board for 34 years from

1988 to 2000, and again from 2002 to 2024.

Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, explains: “Peter has been an absolutely pivotal player in our

industry for over 50 years, and his stellar career will be remembered for a long time to come.

“Through his work with APRA AMCOS and many other organisations and charities in the music industry,

he has brought great passion, dedication and guidance to everyone he’s worked with, and he will be

sorely missed. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”

Clive Hodson, Chair of AMPAL, adds: “Peter has been a friend and colleague for over 30 years.

Throughout this time, I have witnessed his selfless dedication to his writers and invaluable support to

the boards and organisations he has been part of.

“His 40 plus years as a valued AMPAL Board member have showcased his deep knowledge, expertise

and love of music, making him a valued asset to both the Board and our wider membership.

“His lifelong friendships with some of the world’s most respected artists are a testament to his integrity

as a person. AMPAL, and I personally, will miss Peter for his insight and commitment as a valued

member of the Board.”

Damian Rinaldi Appointed General Manager of AMPAL

MEDIA RELEASE

After an exhaustive recruitment process, AMPAL is pleased to announce the appointment of Damian Rinaldi of Sydney-based consultancy Sonic Rights Management as AMPAL’s new General Manager.

Said Clive Hodson, AMPAL Chair: “In order to take AMPAL to the next level, we were looking for someone who could ideally provide not only industry and strategic experience and profile, but also operational and administrative capability. Between them, Damian and his team at Sonic Rights Management tick all of these boxes.”

Said Damian Rinaldi: “Though my many years working in the publishing arena, I have been convinced that our publishing fraternity deserves strong representation in the creative industries conversation. I’m delighted that my team and I now have the opportunity to follow through on that vision.”

A veteran of over 30 years in the music business since his days playing in bands in his native Perth, Damian is the managing director of music industry consultancy Sonic Rights Management, and the principal of its related music law firm, Sonic Lawyers. Damian brings a wealth of relevant music industry experience, including lengthy stints as head of legal & business affairs for both Sony Music Australia and Alberts, board member of PPCA, WAM and AMPAL, and past president of the Copyright Society of Australia. Particularly through his work with Alberts managing the AC/DC and Vanda & Young catalogues, Damian has developed strong relationships with publishers large and small around the world, and a sophisticated understanding of the publishing landscape and challenges faced.

Damian holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Laws degree (specialising in media, communications and information technology) from the University of New South Wales.

The SRM team also includes former longtime Sony Music executive assistant Gianna Simmonson, and former Art Gallery of NSW copyright officer Cherith Devenish.

Damian’s engagement rounds out a series of recent key appointments for AMPAL, which also include:

• Clive Hodson (Perfect Pitch Publishing) being elected Chair of AMPAL;

• Karen Hamilton (120 Publishing) being elected Deputy-Chair of AMPAL;

• Ralph W Peer (peermusic) being elected to the Global Board of ICMP (International Confederation of Music Publishers) as AMPAL’s representative; and

• Clive Hodson being elected as Chair of the Australasia and Asia Global Regional Board of ICMP.