The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) is a performing rights organization (PRO) that monitors radio, music label, and other business uses of copyrighted material. ASCAP is a not for profit organization but is responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for their members. Personally, I’m (Jason Williams) an ASCAP member and have been since 2000 as a writer and publisher. This association has over 300,000 members that are comprised of songwriters, recording artist, and publishers throughout the world. Technically the members run ASCAP’s operations.
ASCAP has been viewed as one of the most powerful associations in the entertainment business. Using a tracking system ASCAP collects data on radio plays, public performances, commercial usage etc. to calculate a dollar value owed to its respective members. Many instances in the past decades have shown ASCAP’s vigor to collect payment on behalf of its members.
In the current technological climate ASCAP has faced numerous challenges, primarily in regards to piracy in addition to seeking payment for its members from mobile device usage. Recently, PRO associations have gone as far as to seek retribution from individual mobile phone user for playing copyrighted material aloud through ringtones in public places. A simple action such as receiving a phone call initiating a ringtone on a public bus could be a charge based on ASCAP’s assumption. According to figures published by the Entertainment Software Association (2010) in 2009 there where 4.6 billion mobile phone users versus 1 billion in 2002 (¶ 10). This dilemma has challenged ASCAP, its members and other PRO associations such as Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI).
There are numerous programs ASCAP has implemented to help businesses in the entertainment industry. Awards, grants, and scholarships are awarded through the ASCAP Foundation. Composers are awarded recognition as well as financial supplements annually. To accelerate the process of gaining new innovative members ASCAP has instituted numerous programs to help high school and universities mold entertainers of the future. Notably this powerhouse association has implemented America Scores, Children Will Listen, Music In The Schools, and Creativity In The Classroom programs across America to foster positive music learning practices in America’s youth.
The marketing campaign of ASCAP is expansive and covers nearly all aspects of advertising. TV Commercials, radio spots, Internet ads to name a few are consistent landmarks of ASCAPS presence to the public. Social media has also felt the impact of this same marketing campaign. ASCAP is relevant on twitter @ASCAP and tweets relevant entertainment resources in addition to workshop information for members.
A Publishing Board, Writer Board, Committee of Boards, and Board of Review comprise ASCAP’s main legislative bodies. These bodies are considered the Board of Directors that is made up of writers and publishers that are elected every 2 years. The Committee of Boards is broken down into several committees that have individual focuses. The ASCAP Board of Review is an independent section of members from the previously mention boards/committees that oversees any claims of unjust practices by ASCAP’s leading committees.
In the near future ASCAP will continue to be the voice of multiple entertainers. As technology advances its fair to assume that ASCAP will stay relevant and cater to their member’s needs. Maintaining an aggressive approach can appear destructive in certain situations, it does however assure that ASCAP will be a strong association in the current technological landscape.
Outside Sources:
ASCAP Board of Directors Page - http://www.ascap.com/about/board-intro.aspx
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