Ray Pagden (Motus Music)
Proposed for appointment by: Anthem UK, Christopher Bemand, Boost Music Publishing Limited, Philip Binding, Felt Licensing Limited, Inspired Production Music Limited, JW Media Music Limited, Mediatracks Music Limited, Reliable Source Music Limited, Universal Music Publishing Limited
Biography
Ray's journey from vibrant yet humble beginnings in Stevenage to becoming a pioneering leader in the music publishing sector showcases the power of diversity, innovation, and dedication.
At Motus Music, Ray's leadership brings frontline insights from a nimble, independent publisher's perspective. Being a hands-on publisher working across the music value chain from copyright creation, registration, and sync, grants him a crucial holistic viewpoint, offering practical, day-to-day operational insights that effectively anticipate and navigate emerging industry challenges.
His international contributions through his work at ICMP and as a director of IPMG, representing a $2 billion global production music industry, underline his commitment to addressing industry-wide challenges and fostering advancements for all stakeholders.
His chairmanship of the PMSF at the Music Publishers Association, uniting major publishers and independents, and his work with the Common Works Registration (CWR) and Metadata expert group demonstrate his dedication to improving global cooperation and modernising copyright data exchange standards.
Ray's advocacy for representation, as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and the Champion for the Music Publishers Association's BeYou Employee Network, along with his openness about being neurodiverse with ADHD, brings a unique perspective to problem-solving and creativity.
As a candidate for the PRS for Music Members Council, Ray stands as a beacon of progress, advocating for a more inclusive, efficient, and fair music industry for all.
Boards, committees, and working groups:
Chair of PMSF – Music Publishers Association
Director of IPMG – ICMP
Metadata Export Group – ICMP
CWR Working Group – SPF (ICMP/CISAC)
Current and recent directorships: Motus Music Limited, Motus Music International Limited and Pagden Holdings Limited
Manifesto
As a Members Council candidate, my vision is to guide PRS for Music through the dynamic realms of technology, rights management, and inclusivity, ensuring every member's voice is empowered.
Embracing Innovation: I am dedicated to leveraging technological advancements that bolster our industry, unlocking new revenue streams, and ensuring copyright protections. My commitment extends to fair compensation for creators and defending against tech companies that infringe on our intellectual property to develop competing AI-generated content.
Operational Excellence: My focus will be on transparency, efficiency, and accountability, aiming to enhance our operations, ensure prompt distributions, and advocate for competitive licensing, solidifying PRS's role as indispensable to our members.
Fair Music Value: I will support PRS in addressing the undervalued use of music on streaming platforms and advocate for equitable monetisation globally, ensuring music's rightful value is recognised.
Broad Representation: A priority is ensuring the council reflects our diverse music ecosystem. I will champion the inclusion of types of publishers in all sectors and genres, from classical to dance, pop & production music publishers, guaranteeing comprehensive representation.
Collective Licensing: In the digital age, collective licensing is paramount. I pledge to protect the value of performing rights and adapt to digital challenges, safeguarding our members' interests.
Personal Connection: Maintaining a personal touch in publishing is crucial. I aim to keep PRS closely connected to the creative community, valuing each member’s contribution. I seek your support to bring unity, innovation, and dedication to the rights and welfare of our creators, shaping a future where human-created music is highly valued and rights holders are fairly compensated.
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.
