Ralph W. Peer (peermusic UK)
Proposed for appointment by: Adam Argyle, Bucks Music Group Limited, Michelle Escoffery, Paul Farrer, Just Isn't Music Limited, Kassner Associated Publishers Limited, Ryan Lawrie, Daniel Pemberton, Truelove Music, Universal Music Publishing Limited
Biography
Ralph W. Peer considers himself extremely fortunate to have been raised in a family intrinsically tied to music. Growing up Ralph learned several instruments but found his true passion in DJ-ing and record collecting.
Ralph joined peermusic in 2016 working in the company’s international and multi-territory digital licensing efforts. Prior to this Ralph studied law in London. In 2017 Ralph earned an LLM degree at Columbia Law School where he specialised in copyright law in the digital age and also worked in legal departments at Broadcast Music Incorporated and Universal Records.
Ralph returned to London in 2020 to work in the UK office’s business affairs and also initiated the company’s dedicated efforts to expand its creative and business reach in the emerging African and Middle Eastern markets.
Two years later Ralph migrated to Australia and became the managing director of peermusic’s Australasia operations. While there Ralph was elected a director of the Australasian Music Publishers Association (AMPAL), where he still serves.
In 2024 Ralph returned to London to work as MD of peermusic’s UK office while maintaining his responsibilities in Australasia, Africa and the Middle East. In addition to caring for peermusic’s renown catalog and its composers Ralph works directly with a wide variety of creative talent; from Lagos based producers such as Freshybeatz or Larry Gaaga, to outspoken Aboriginal artist Ziggy Ramo, to electronic UK duo Dusky. Concurrently Ralph also collaborates with publishing colleagues and clients to ensure the proper administration of their copyrights across the globe.
Current and recent directorships: Accorder Music Publishing Limited, Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited, Donovan (Music) Limited, Dunmo Music Publishing Company Limited, Paul Rodriguez Music Limited, Peermusic (NZ) Limited, Peermusic (UK) Limited, Peermusic Pty Ltd (Australia), Peermusic Pty Ltd (South Africa), Southern Music Publishing Co (Australasia) Pty Ltd, and Suiderkruis Musiek
Manifesto
I believe I can contribute a unique, international, and collaborative perspective to the Members’ Council. Peermusic is among the world’s largest independent music publishers with a nearly 100-year history. With this comes a great deal of knowledge and experience from colleagues that I am lucky to learn from every day. Through this I bring the perspective of an independent with a global vision. As publishers we are nothing without the writers we represent, and we have a long history of protecting their rights which I fully intend to continue.
If elected, I intend to focus on:
Value in Artificial Intelligence
The music industry and the creatives on which it relies are rightfully upset about the ingestion of copyrighted materials to create AI models. Our focus should be on extracting a fair value on both the input and output of AI models, and while currently the performance right has taken a backseat in the AI conversation, we should move it forward. As performance monies are split between publishers and writers, both those who invest in and those who create copyrights will benefit.
Expand Membership in New Markets
As the world becomes more interconnected, and collection societies look to expand their repertoire and membership PRS should capitalise on its reputation and transparency abroad. Through my work (particularly in Africa) I have already been an informal advocate for PRS membership and am happy that this has borne fruit. As a part of the Members’ Council, I hope to amplify my advocacy to expand PRS' membership globally.
Digital Licensing
I have been involved in digital licensing on a global scale since 2016. In a short time, the licensing landscape has evolved rapidly with many lessons learned, I hope to bring these insights to the Members’ Council and its sub-committees.
IMPORTANT: Publication of this statement, or any subsequent communication of it, does not constitute endorsement or the promotion of the candidate by the Society, or any member of its management or staff.
The statement has been written by the candidate and has not been altered in any way. The views and/or opinions expressed are the candidate’s own.
