The Australian Music Publishers’ Association Limited (AMPAL) recently held their annual general meeting and welcomed to the Board new Director, Steve MacPherson of Hillsong Music Publishing. At AMPAL’s Board Meeting held a few days later then current Chair Norm Lurie of Music Sales announced his intention to retire from that position and not to stand again while remaining an involved member of the organisation. The Board unanimously elected Rough Cut Music Managing Director Keith Welsh to the position.

Welsh has a long history in the music industry as a performer and artist manager, as well as being co-publisher of weekly industry trade magazine, The Music Network. His involvement with independent publisher Rough Cut Music stems from his long association with business partners John Woodruff and Karen Hamilton. The company represents a host of successful writers such as Savage Garden, Evermore, Kisschasy, Horsell Common and Small Mercies.

Welsh said he was honoured to have been elected as Chair. “AMPAL is a vital and dynamic organisation that gives publishers a unified voice – and this is increasingly important in the face of the many changes that are occurring in the industry. I would like to pay tribute to outgoing Chair Norm Lurie who led the revitalisation of AMPAL in 2004 and has overseen its development into the organisation it has now become.”

Outgoing Chair Norm Lurie said: "My three years as Chair of AMPAL have been an exciting and challenging period. Music publishing all over the world is adapting to change and the Australian industry is in great shape. I am delighted to see Keith elected as the next Chair and look forward to working with him on the Board."

Media contact AMPAL General Manager Mark Callaghan: 0418 696739

Email: mark@ampal.com.au