PRS for Music strengthens its promise to the electronic music community through new membership of the Association for Electronic Music

01 May 2020 - Press release

PRS for Music, the organisation that represents the likes of Maya Jane Coles, Jonas Blue, Nina Kraviz, Calvin Harris and Becky Hill, as well as over 145,500 music creators across the UK, continues its commitment to electronic music by becoming one of only four collective management organisations (CMOs) to join the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM).

AFEM, with members across 25 countries, represents the full ecosystem of businesses involved in electronic music: managers, label owners, publishers, agencies, promoters, retailers, distributors, media and technology specialists. Membership of AFEM will reinforce PRS for Music’srelationships across the electronic music sector and assist with connections to emerging technologies and pioneering practices, enabling the collecting society to continue to innovate and adapt its own practices on behalf of its members.

Since 2017, PRS for Music, with support from AFEM’s ‘Get Played Get Paid’ initiative, has been installing music recognition technology (MRT) provided by DJ Monitor into select UK clubs and festivals to identify the music played by DJs. MRT delivers highly accurate setlist information that is used to improve the distribution of licence fees paid by music venues and festivals, significantly improving payments to electronic music creators and rightsholders.

PRS for Music joins over 200 AFEM member companies, including CMOs SACEM and APRA AMCOS, who are actively working to enhance and promote the interests of the electronic music genre. From lobbying power and engagement with government bodies to combating piracy and increasing accurate metadata, AFEM’s collective voice ensures key issues affecting the sector are central to the global music industry debate.

Claire Jarvis, Director of Membership, PRS for Music said: “Joining AFEM marks an important move towards further strengthening PRS for Music’s relationship with the electronic and dance music community. Together, we will continue to advocate for the genre and help to bring about positive change.

Ashley Howard, Dance Relationship Manager, PRS for Music said: “Our membership of AFEM demonstrates how PRS for Music sits in the leading pack of PROs who have a clear commitment to the dance and electronic music industry. I look forward to developing initiatives and building relationships that will benefit the memberships of both organisations.”

Kurosh Nasseri, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, AFEM (Association for Electronic Music) said: “We are delighted to have PRS for Music join AFEM to add to the growing number of performing rights societies and other collective management organisations which have become affiliate members of the Association. Our vision and desire is to serve as a platform for open dialogue between CMOs for the benefit of the electronic music ecosystem.”

Greg Marshall, General Manager, AFEM (Association for Electronic Music) said: “We welcome PRS for Music as an affiliate member of AFEM. This represents a clear commitment to progress dialogue, policies and activities which best support electronic music. Over the past five years, the AFEM ‘Get Played Get Paid’ campaign has advocated for music recognition technology deployment at DJ events to help improve royalty accuracy for the creators and owners of the music played – an area which PRS for Music have demonstrated a proactive and collaborative approach. I look forward to deepening our relationship to better serve the businesses and creators within the electronic music scene.”