Murphy Leaving Nmpa

A familiar voice for American publishers and songwriters is retiring.

Edward P. Murphy is leaving his post as president/CEO of the National Music Publishers' Assn. when his contract expires Dec. 31, Billboard has learned.

"It is with great respect and appreciation that we support Ed's decision to retire," says Irwin Z. Robinson, chairman of the NMPA board of directors and chairman/CEO of Famous Music Publishing. "Ed has been in the thick of the fight to protect the interests of music publishers and the songwriters they represent. All of us in the music industry owe him a huge debt for his tremendous work on our behalf."

Even before joining NMPA in 1983 as executive VP, Murphy was acutely aware of the importance of copyright protection, creativity and international business relationships.

He served as president of G. Schirmer, a music publishing house that struck a deal in the 1970s with the Soviet Union governmental body that owned all of that nation's music. At Schirmer, Murphy says, he represented the Soviet catalog throughout the Western hemisphere, forging relationships with European collection societies.

When Murphy became president of NMPA subsidiary the Harry Fox Agency in 1984, he began introducing American music publishers to European publishers and music rights societies. He believed that American publishers, few of whom dealt with foreign royalty revenue, should understand how these societies collect money in their territories.

In 1985, Murphy added the title of president of NMPA. He continued his international focus, introducing members to publishers throughout Asia. The initiative laid an important business foundation for protecting publishing rights internationally when the Internet and other technology brought the world to the desktop.

Lacking information on worldwide publishing revenue, NMPA began working with foreign collection societies to gather data for its 1990 International Survey of Music Publishing Revenue. Periodic reports continue today.

Although not a completely accurate reflection of revenue because of differing reporting calculations, the survey presents a rough picture of music publishing in more than 45 territories, Murphy says.

Since Murphy joined NMPA, revenue has been increasing every year until the last three years, when declines have reflected the drop in U.S. unit sales.

Representing more than 800 U.S. members, NMPA is music publishers' advocate in Congress, the courts and international meeting rooms. Its HFA subsidiary acts as licensing agent for more than 27,000 publishers' mechanical and other rights in songs.

Although operations of NMPA and HFA were split in 2000 to make a "total cultural and technical change" in the new digital licensing era, NMPA still generates the bulk of its revenue from HFA licensing fees, Robinson reports.

Murphy's NMPA responsibilities through the years have included working with publisher members, lobbyists, members of Congress and foreign rights societies.

Under the auspices of NMPA, Murphy founded the International Copyright Conference, where rights societies from several countries get together informally to share information and experiences.

Murphy plans to continue his activities as an advisor or board member for several other organizations and non-profits. He received the Abe Oleman Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 for his work supporting copyright law.

Murphy says his most enjoyable times in the business were spent with the creative community.

"Lobbying meant bringing many songwriters with you to [Capitol] Hill" to talk with members of Congress, he says. For them, "a songwriter's perspective is absolutely vital."

Murphy predicts a good future for music publishers. While record companies "grew out of a technology," music publishers adapted to technology, "as they have since the piano roll," he says.

The biggest challenges for the industry are the educational and legal processes. "People must be educated on the benefits and pitfalls of the Internet—to convince them that all intellectual property, not just music, needs to be protected."

NMPA's executive committee is engaging a firm to search for candidates to fill Murphy's position. Responsibilities will include negotiating with digital services, the Recording Industry Assn. of America and others.

Robinson says the association hopes to find someone with a legal background who has excellent negotiating skills and a personality that blends well with those in Washington.

Music publishing experience is not absolutely necessary, but the person must be a "strong anti-piracy advocate," Robinson says.

"It would be great if we could have someone ready in November," he adds.

Murphy has yet to decide what he will do in his post-NMPA years.

He sees his life in three acts and says he is looking forward to working with songwriters, publishers and others during Act Three.