“The Ripple Effect of Changing Rates: Backlash and Solutions”

    • October 15, 2019
    150 150 The California Copyright Conference

    Date/Time
    Date(s) -

    10/15/2019

    6:15 pm - 9:00 pm

    Location
    Courtyard Marriott


    “THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF CHANGING RATES: BACKLASH AND SOLUTIONS”

    PRESENTED BY THE CALIFORNIA COPYRIGHT CONFERENCE & EXPLORATION

    A panel discussing the challenges all of us—songwriters, publishers, artists, producers, engineers, and others—have experienced with the changing landscape of royalty rates and loss of income from physical product. Additionally, what sort of solutions are available now!

    Tuesday, October 15, 2019

    6:15 PM Check-In ▪ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Cocktail Hour ▪ 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Dinner & Panel Discussion

    LOCATION

    Courtyard Marriott

    15433 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 ($5 parking available at venue)

     

    Moderators:

       Catharine Wood — Owner, Producer, Composer, Engineer | Planetwood Studios, LLC

    Rene Merideth — Co-founder/COO | Exploration Group, LLC

     

    Panelists: 

    Michelle Lewis — Co-founder | SONA & ASCAP Board Member

    Sabrina Ment, Esq. — Attorney at Law

    Ana Ruiz — Co-founder/CEO | Drive Music Publishing

     

     

    MODERATORS

    Rene Merideth | Co-Founder and COO | Exploration

    Rene Merideth is the Co-Founder and COO of Exploration, a digital rights management company for songwriters, music publishers, artists, and small labels. She is also a consultant for several other songwriters, publishers and new media companies around the globe. Prior, she was the Director of Licensing/Head of West Coast Licensing for BMG Chrysalis and Bug Music, and Manager, Mechanical Licensing for Windswept Holdings.

    Ms. Merideth started her career in the country churches of Southern Missouri as a roadie for her grandfather’s gospel music band. She worked with various acts of all genres in the St. Louis area until she headed off to college receiving a B.A. in Music Business from Belmont University in Nashville. While working across many aspects of the industry, she found her niche in artist management and music publishing.

    Moving to Los Angeles, she started with Windswept Publishing and survived two high-profile mergers to become Head of West Coast licensing for BMG. Over the years, she has worked on music by artists including Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Kings of Leon, KISS, Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, Eminem, Pink, and Pete Townshend among others.

    In 2012, she founded her consulting firm, Red Dragon Management, with the goal of educating artists/songwriters and helping the newcomers have a voice in the industry.

    Ms. Merideth received Certified status from YouTube in 2013. Additionally, she is a member of NARAS, ASCAP, AIMP, Women’s International Music Network, Women in Music, Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and is a Board member for the California Copyright Conference.

     

    Catharine Wood | Engineer/Producer/Owner | Planetwood Studios, LLC

    Catharine Wood is an established Los Angeles-based composer/producer and studio owner. She launched her versatile career engineering on high-profile commercials — including the first Apple iPhone spot. As a mix/mastering engineer, she has delivered over 500 (both original and client) commercially released songs airing on many major networks. Catharine is a Grammy® Voting Member, P&E Wing Member and holds positions on the L.A. Recording School’s Professional Advisory Committee and the California Copyright Conference Board of Directors. Her facility, Planetwood Studios, LLC specializes in production and composition services for the Film and TV Industries.

     

    PANELISTS

    Michelle Lewis | Singer | Songwriter | Composer | Music Creators’ Rights Advocate

    Ms. Lewis is a fierce New Yorker now based in Los Angeles, where she is a singer, songwriter, composer, and music creators’ rights advocate.

    From her early career as a recording artist signed to Irving Azoff’s Giant Records, to her first radio hit, Cher’s “A Different Kind of Love Song” in 2002, to the 2014 worldwide #1 single “Wings” by the British girl group, Little Mix, Ms. Lewis brings authenticity, musicality and heart to a diverse array of music projects.  

    For the last decade, Ms. Lewis has branched out into the world of songwriting for animated television, most notably as a Peabody Award-winning composer of all original music for Disney Junior’s hit show, “Doc McStuffins” and as an Emmy-nominated songwriter for the beloved Nickelodeon series “Bubble Guppies.” She has over a half-dozen TV themes currently airing, including, “Doc McStuffins,” “The Loud House,” “Muppet Babies,” “The Harvey Street Kids,” “Mutt and Stuff” and “DC Super Hero Girls.”

    In 2014, Ms. Lewis co-founded the non-profit, Songwriters of North America (SONA) in response to the ever-increasing complexities and disparities in digital royalties paid to songwriters and composers. And most recently—through her roles on the ASCAP Board’s Legislative Committee, representing SONA and as one of the leaders of the #MusicArmy of songwriters, artists, composers and producers—she was an instrumental force in the historic passage of the Music Modernization Act, which was signed into law in October of 2018.

     

    Sabrina Ment, Esq. | Attorney 

    Ms. Ment graduated Cum Laude from UCLA in a mere three years before moving on to law school.  Upon graduation from UCLA School of Law, she immediately threw herself into the entertainment industry, becoming a production coordinator for a music DVD series. Following that, she entered private practice where she has been for the last 15 years.

    Ms. Ment negotiates and drafts various agreements relating to all areas in music, including agreements for, but not limited to, major and independent recording labels, production, joint-venture, music publishing, composer, endorsement and sponsorships, management, film production, writer-option, talent for film, television and commercial performances, operating and various other corporate organizational documents, such as corporate resolutions and amendments. Plus, handling merchandising and fashion, book publishing, and motion picture and television agreements. She also aids music industry executives with the negotiation of their employment agreements, as well as separation agreements in connection with same. Other areas of expertise include due diligence in connection with copyright and trademark acquisitions in addition to supporting outside litigation counsel in such areas as copyright and trademark infringement, violations of the California Talent Agencies Act, and misappropriation of name and likeness.  Moreover, Ms. Ment not only aids clients in developing their brands through trademark and copyright management, but actively enforces the protection of such brands via social media and elsewhere.

    Ms. Ment has lectured at various entertainment industry conferences and seminars, including at the California Copyright Conference, National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP), Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Musician’s Institute, North American Law Summit and annually at the Cutting Edge Music Business Conference. Additionally, she assisted Dina LaPolt with her class at UCLA Extension, “Legal and Practical Aspects of the Music Business,” focusing her lectures on everything from trademark issues in relation to the music business to the California Talent Agencies Act.

     

    Ana Ruiz | Co-Founder and CEO | Drive Music Publishing

    Ana Ruiz founded Drive Music Publishing, Inc. in 2013. As the CEO, she manages client acquisitions and global partnerships. She is a consultant for various high-profile catalogs, business management and law firms. Her company provides unique data-driven publishing administration, which has enhanced income collection for all their clients. Drive Solutions, the consulting arm of Drive Music Publishing, works with catalogs of all shapes and sizes to enhance, correct, and increase in value in today’s music industry. She feels it has become increasingly important to know how to track growth and potential of these very valuable works.   

    Prior to DRV, Ms. Ruiz was Manager of Music Services at Gelfand, Rennert and Feldman, LLP, one of the largest business management firms specializing in the entertainment industry.  For over nine years, she represented the publishing and independent labels of many well-known legacy clients. 

    Ms. Ruiz is a proud member of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP), California Copyright Conference (CCC), National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (LARAS).

     

    Questions? Email us at questions@theccc.org

    This event is sponsored by:

     

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    Advance RSVP (via PayPal by 2pm, Friday 10/11/19):

    CCC Members $50 per person | Non-members $65 per person

    Walk-Up Dinner (pay at the door, no prior RSVP):

    CCC  Members $55 per person | Non-members $70 per person

    Students: $50 per person — must show College ID at the door [contact us]

    – No refunds –

     

    Cash bar only (no credit cards accepted)

     

    Appetizer: 

    Spinach Salad

    Your Choice of Entree: 

    Chicken Parmesan

    Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter

    Kale Pesto Pasta

    Dessert: 

    Chef’s Choice

     

    Please make your dinner reservation by 2pm on Friday, October 11th, 2019.

    Walk-up guests are welcome, but may not be served their first choice of meal. We accept cash, check or credit card payment at the door. Reserve your meal with PayPal or credit card (PayPal account not required).

     

    Attention Attorneys: This activity has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education Credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of one and a half (1.5) hours. The CCC certifies that this activity conforms to the standards for approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing minimum continuing legal education. Attorneys who wish to register for MCLE Credit must include their state bar number with their reservation. Please remember to sign the sign-in sheet and obtain a certificate when you arrive at the meeting.

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