KEMPIN APPOINTED AS VPL CHAIRMAN

22 February 2016 - Press release

Music video licensing company VPL is proud to announce the appointment of Geoff Kempin as its new Chairman, following the retirement of Fran Nevrkla as Chairman at the end of 2015. Kempin has been a director of VPL since its inception in 1983 and continues to be Executive Director of Eagle Rock Entertainment.  

Kempin has been working in the music industry for over 40 years starting his career at EMI Records as a Graduate Management Trainee. Here, he was heavily involved in marketing a wide range of EMI artists including Queen, Iron Maiden, Paul McCartney, Bob Seger and The Rolling Stones.

Kempin’s extensive experience in the business of music and pictures stemmed from being Managing Director of Picture Music International (EMI) in 1980 followed by Polygram International Video, Castle Music Pictures and finally Eagle Rock Entertainment where he has overseen significant and historic advancements in the evolution of music audio visual formatting and monetisation. 

He has played an instrumental role in transforming music concerts and documentaries into commercially viable programmes for television broadcast across the globe and in releasing music shows on DVD and Blu-ray formats. It can truly be said that Kempin has been pivotal in the expansion and success of the UK music video industry.

In the late 80’s Kempin was particularly influential in negotiating the first agreement with MCPS to establish the rate of mechanical payment for visual formats. He later led negotiations on behalf of the UK record industry as Chairman of the IFPI Music Video Committee, which resulted in an industry-wide agreement with MTV in 1990. 

In 1997, Kempin co-founded Eagle Rock Entertainment (acquired by Universal Music Group in 2014) with Terry Shand where the two continue to this day their commitment to the production and commercial release of music visual programming as Executive Producers.

Geoff Kempin, VPL Chairman, said of his new role: “As a Director of VPL from its inception in 1983, alongside Fran, I have pursued a mission to recognise revenue against the visual rights controlled by the music business which we represent. As Chairman, I look forward to working with the other directors to support the great work of Peter Leathem and his team in growing business with broadcasters and other media platforms.”

Fran Nevrkla, former VPL and PPL Chairman, said: "I am delighted about the appointment of Geoff Kempin as the new Chairman of VPL, Geoff, together with a small number of us, was one of the founding members who set up VPL as a separate organisation responsible for safeguarding and monetising the rights in music videos. His unique knowledge of the audio visual market is second to none as is his courage and determination to stand up for the rights of others. I wish him all the success in his new role and I know that together with Peter Leathem, the CEO of VPL and PPL, they will make an excellent and effective team."

Peter Leathem, CEO, VPL and PPL said:“We are very proud to welcome Geoff as the Chairman of VPL. He has been a leading figure in the music video rights industry for many years now and will make an important contribution to VPL in his new role.”