Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP)

AIMP National Chair and New York Chapter President Michael Lau’s testimony at the “Music Copyright Roundtable” hosted by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet on June 21, 2023

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About the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP)

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) was formed in 1977 and has local chapters in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York. The organization’s primary focus is to educate and inform music publishers about the most current industry trends and practices by providing a forum for the discussion of the issues and problems confronting the music publishing industry. The opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions with others on issues of mutual concern is fostered by the atmosphere at the AIMP’s monthly meetings, forums, and workshops, the videos of which can be seen (along with more general info on the organization) at aimp.org.

Michael Lau – National Chair & New York Chapter President

Michael Lau has had a diverse career as a Music Supervisor, Composer, and Music Publisher. In 2021, after serving as a board member since 2019, Michael was elected President of the New York Chapter of the AIMP. In this role, Michael works with the Executive Committee of the AIMP to lead both the New York and national organizations, leveraging his years of experience to provide input and guidance in planning industry events and outreach to bolster the independent music publishing community. In addition to working with the AIMP, Michael was appointed to the Operations Committee of The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective), where he reviews current processes from music metadata through payment processing to revolutionize how songwriters and music publishers are paid. He is also the Owner of independent music publishing companies Middle Foot Music (BMI) and Imachew Music (ASCAP), which handle his own compositions as well as publishing for others.

Michael previously served in the highest levels of Round Hill Music, helping to grow the company from its inception as a three-employee, fledgling indie music publisher to one of the larger independents in the music industry with 55 employees, funding from three private equity funds, and most recently an IPO listed on the London Stock Exchange. Having a hand in all areas and disciplines throughout its growth, the company’s foundation is built upon Michael’s vast experience and expertise. As COO/CTO, Michael kept Round Hill at the forefront of technology and data, all while creating and maintaining efficient and effective processes for everything from copyright and royalty administration to the creative process of music exploitation in TV, film, video games, and more.

Due to Michael’s vast knowledge of data management and his deep understanding of how it connects all aspects of the business workflow, he has been recognized and sought out by the DSPs and others as a “go-to person” for helping companies improve their publishing-related processes to better benefit the music publishers that they interact with.

Prior to Round Hill, Michael worked in various roles at Warner/Chappell Music — serving as Director of Strategic Marketing as well as Senior Director, Creative Information Technology and Marketing Development — which leveraged his technical marketing skills and creative music skills. He licensed his proprietary creative system as well as being instrumental in building the company’s internal creative pitching system. Michael also worked as a music supervisor and music producer for several TV projects, including Courage The Cowardly Dog, the ’94 and ’98 CBS Winter Olympics Broadcasts, and other web series for Warner Bros. He also has served as a Creative Consultant to the estates of Ray Charles and Harry Warren.

Michael has spoken at major music industry conferences such as Music Biz, Mondo.NYC, the AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit, and the IMPF Conference. He is also a frequent speaker at Berklee College of Music. Michael has been featured in publications such as Keyboard Magazine in their cover story “Sound for Flash” in 2003, and in the “Tools” chapter of Music Supervision: The Complete Guide to Selecting Music for Movies, TV, Games and New Media (Schirmer Books, 2005), as well as its second edition released in 2017. In addition, Michael created a proprietary software application based in FileMaker Pro called Publishers Toolbox, a music publishing administrative, royalty, and creative system.

Michael lives with his family in New York and is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.

Marc Caruso – Los Angeles Chapter President

As CEO and Co-Founder, Marc Caruso oversees all facets of Los Angeles-based Angry Mob Music, a truly independent music publishing company with a mission to fight for the rights of artists and songwriters. Under his leadership, Angry Mob has grown since 2009 into a diversified music company with successful operations in publishing, music rights management, and trailer music production. Marc has also led direct signings ranging from major label artists and accomplished songwriters to emerging producers and composers such as Jake Scott, Pepper, dePresno, KAMI, Rune Westberg, and Schmarx & Savvy.

For the past 20 years, as an entrepreneur, composer, producer, and Emmy-nominated music editor, Marc has been at the forefront of music publishing and master rights administration for TV and film. Before Angry Mob, he was the Executive Producer for Red Arc Music Group, where he was responsible for publishing and licensing for all film, television, and media. As former president of Reel Fusion, Inc for eight years, he headed all music editorial for film and television production.

Marc’s experience within the music industry has molded him into a champion for musician and songwriters’ rights.  He is the Vice President of the L.A. Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP); a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, The Recording Academy, The Motion Picture Editors Guild, and The Society of Composers & Lyricists; and represents Angry Mob’s interests as a Team 100 member of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA).

As a University of Southern California alumni, Marc is on the advisor board for the USC Caruso Catholic Center where he provides business and personal mentorship to current students. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, two children, and three dogs.

Ree Guyer – Nashville Chapter President

Ree Guyer was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated in 1981 from St. Mary’s University with a BS in Child Psychology and Studio Arts. Shortly after graduating from college, she held two jobs – a production potter for Sansei Pottery in St. Paul and a sales position for Wrensong Publishing, a newly formed division of her father’s, Reyn Guyer’s, development company Winsor Concepts (this company owns the patent on Nerf and Twister). The initial concept of Wrensong was to help professional jingle writers, like Billy Barber, in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area get their commercial songs recorded by major recording artists. Ree and her father initially signed single song contracts with these writers and began with twenty songs.

In 1985, Ree landed her first cut with the help of her friend, Bob Doyle. “Little Things,” recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys, became a #1 single. Ree moved to Nashville in November 1985 to open the music row office where the company remains today. Wrensong signed their first staff writer in 1986, Jon Vezner. Within eighteen months, he had his first two singles: “Just Can’t Sit Down Music,” recorded by Mel McDaniel, and “Trainwreck of Emotion,” recorded by Lorrie Morgan, as well as cuts with Ronnie Milsap, Reba, and the award-winning song, “Where’ve You Been,” recorded by his wife, Kathy Mattea.

Today, Wrensong is one of the top independent publishing companies on Music Row. Guided by the leadership of president/owner, Ree, the catalog contains over 3,000 copyrights with six staff songwriter/artists. She has focused on developing a catalog of unique and special songs like “Where’ve You Been” and “Whiskey Lullaby,” both CMA, ACM and Grammy winning Songs of the Year.  Additionally, “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye” (Patty Loveless) was nominated for a Best Country Song Grammy.  Under Guyer’s direction, Wrensong has enjoyed 29 #1 hits, including: “Ask Me How I Know“ (Garth Brooks), “Better Dig Two” (The Band Perry), “Hell on Heels” (Pistol Annie’s), “Wild One” (Faith Hill),  “Gonna Take a Lot of River” (Oak Ridge Boys),  “Heart Like Mine” (Miranda Lambert), “Drink On It” (Blake Shelton) “Am I the Only One” (Dierks Bentley), “The Truth” (Jason Aldean),  “Sangria” (Blake Shelton), “Say You Do” (Dierks Bentley), “I Met a Girl” (William Michael Morgan), “Break Up With Him,” “Snapback,” “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart,” “Hotel Key” and “Written in the Sand” (Old Dominion) and album cuts by major label acts like Ray Charles, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw/Faith Hill, Reba, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Norah Jones and Kenny Chesney, that have sold in excess of 130 million albums.

In the last few years, Ree has focused on developing singer/songwriters.  She was pivotal in launching the artist/writer careers of Ashley Monroe, Jon Randall and Trevor Rosen, member of the 2018 ACM and CMA Vocal Group of the Year, Old Dominion.

Tony D. Alexander – Atlanta Chapter President

Tony D. Alexander is Co-Founder, President, and Managing Director of Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME). In this role, he oversees all operations at MIME’s vast family of companies, including 4U Recording studios in Memphis and Atlanta, music distributor Beatroot Music, sync licensing company Heavy Hitters Music, and independent music publishing company MIME Publishing. These entities all work together toward Alexander’s vision to develop and promote diverse talent on both the creative and business sides of the music business while re-establishing Memphis as a key music industry hub with global reach.

Alexander is also a veteran business executive with over 20 years of experience developing and implementing corporate strategies and leading a disparate group of companies. Wherever he has worked, Alexander has been committed to ensuring improved finances, heightened productivity, and enhanced strategic outcomes. He is a serial entrepreneur who founded, co-founded, or was an early employee at six different businesses in various industries that were successfully acquired (NuAge Technologies Inc., The Gwenet Group LLC, Alveolus Inc., WeCom Systems Inc., OptimumPath LLC, H-Power Inc.).

As a registered patent attorney, Alexander understands innovation and regulation. He has focused his legal practice on client counseling in all aspects of procuring, licensing, and enforcing patents, trademarks, and copyrights, with significant experience in trade dress and trade secret matters. His background broadly encompasses intellectual property, technology transfer, venture capital, and regulatory compliance, with an emphasis on emerging companies.

Alexander is also an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where he teaches Food & Drug Law, Patent Law, Entertainment Law, and Trademark Law. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) and the Music Business Association (Music Biz). His work has been featured in publications such as The National Law Journal, Nature Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Compliance Monitor, Billboard, the Commercial Appeal, Music Week, South Carolina, Business Journal, and In Business Magazine.

Alexander is a magna cum laude graduate of Morehouse College. He also holds both a Master of Science and a Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A committed community activist who serves as Senior Pastor of a growing Memphis congregation, Tony has been married to his best friend, Dr. Gwendolyn Alexander, for 25 years. They have three children — Natalie, Philip, and Memphis Paige — and reside in Memphis, TN.