Dean Ormston is the next CEO of APRA AMCOS.
The Sydney-based APRA stalwart will succeed Brett Cottle at the helm of the collecting society when Cottle steps down on June 30, 2018, the APRA Board of Directors confirmed Monday (Oct. 9).
Ormston was tapped following a global search initiated when Cottle announced in May that he would move on after 28 years in the top job. The recruitment process was led by Julie Steiner, managing director at international recruiting firm Odgers Berndtson.
With his appointment, Ormston will take the reins of an organization coming off another banner year. APRA last week announced record revenue of A$386.6 million ($300 million), up 16% on the previous financial period, with digital royalties surging A$110.3 million ($85 million), up by A$42.5 million ($33 million). Streaming royalties alone grew by 127 per cent year-on-year to $62.2 million ($48 million).
Ormston’s appointment will be welcomed by the industry. He’s widely regarded as a safe pair of hands, a talented, smart exec and policy expert who brings to the role 20 years’ experience with the organization in both member services and licensing areas. He currently heads APRA AMCOS’ Member Services division and holds a Bachelor of Education in music, a post-graduate qualification in marketing and is a graduate of the High Potentials Leadership program at Harvard University.
APRA chair and recording artist Jenny Morris commented: “The APRA Board is thrilled to announce Dean’s appointment to this crucial role. Dean has for many years been a brilliant and highly respected member of APRA’s senior management team. We have no doubt that Dean will bring a fresh and innovative approach to leadership, while building on, and safeguarding, the strengths and traditions of the organization.”
Ian James, chair of AMCOS and managing director of Mushroom Music, echoed Morris’ comments. “Among Dean’s many skills is his wonderful ability to communicate the importance of music and to advocate the case for music creators in government circles. His recent experience in that role will stand the two collecting societies in excellent stead moving forward,” he said.
Cottle noted that “the board could not have chosen a better or more qualified leader for the organization. Apart from being tremendously capable, hard-working and dedicated, Dean is a fantastic person. He will provide great vision and inspiration for the extremely talented workforce we have at APRA AMCOS, and most of all place the members’ needs first and foremost in all circumstances.”
Ormston will take on the leadership of APRA and AMCOS with effect from July 1, 2018. In the months ahead, Ormston will continue to serve as head of APRA AMCOS’ Member Services division, with “appropriate working transition arrangements to be put in place over coming weeks,” the organization reports.
APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Society) was established in 1926 and now boasts more than 90,000 members, while AMCOS (Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) was created in 1979 and counts more than 16,000 members.
