Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo credit: Wengang Zhai
SESAC has formally partnered with FILSCAP in the Philippines, WAMI in Indonesia, MACP in Malaysia, MCT in Thailand and VCPMC in Vietnam to establish a “multi-territorial digital licensing center” called the Asian Alliance Music Rights Organization (AAMRO).
The Nashville-based performing rights organization (PRO) today reached out to Digital Music News with an announcement about the “groundbreaking initiative.” The newly formed AAMRO is tasked with managing the licensing and license distribution for the aforementioned societies’ repertoires in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and will be headquartered in Liechtenstein, SESAC announced.
Meanwhile, Mint Digital Services – the joint initiative of SESAC and SUISA involved in (among other things) SESAC’s Wise Music Australia licensing deal in Southeast Asia – will assume administration for AAMRO, according to the companies. The parties also stated that this partnership “further strengthens AAMRO’s position as a cutting-edge, technology-driven company.”
FILSCAP, WAMI, MACP, MCT and VCPMC addressed the development in a joint statement, detailing the exposure and compensation benefits they believe AAMRO will bring in the coming months and years.
“This collaboration opens up new opportunities for our talented Asian music writers to reach global audiences and ensures they receive fair compensation for the exploitation of their works outside of Asia,” the societies said in part. “By leveraging this collaboration, we are committed to realizing the full potential of Asian music writers and bringing the rich diversity of our musical heritage to audiences worldwide.”
And in his own comments, SESAC President Alexander Wolf stated: “As a long-time contributor to all Asian collecting societies, I am pleased that we are joining forces to form an organization dedicated to expanding music licensing and managing their musical works outside of the region.”
“It is vital that we support Asian music creators and publishers with world-class matching, licensing and administration services outside of Asia to increase royalties and enhance the careers of these talented songwriters and composers,” concluded the Harry Fox executive.
It goes without saying that the announcement of AAMRO comes amid the rapid growth of the music industry in the above countries whose total population is close to 600 million.
After establishing a Vietnamese label called monoX a year ago, Universal Music Group acquired a 70 percent stake in the catalog of Thailand’s RS Music in early July 2023. Earlier, Thai rapper and entertainer Khanngoen Nuanual bought Bangkok-based film distributor M Pictures, while TikTok announced plans to invest billions in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries in the coming years.