In a big win for local artists, Mushroom Group has teamed up with neighbouring rights specialist Susan Cotchin to launch new royalties company Good Neighbour.
An increasingly more important form of revenue for artists and labels, neighbouring rights refers to the performance right in sound recordings, with royalties paid out to performers and master owners when a work is played on radio, TV or in public, in a similar way that copyright royalties are paid to writers and publishers.
The new partnership will see Cotchin, who has worked with artists such as Beyoncé, Radiohead, Fat Boy Slim, Rihanna and more over the past two decades, take on the role of Managing Director at Good Neighbour as Mushroom Group acquires her company, International Royalties Rescue.
IRR artists such as Gang Of Youths, Empire Of The Sun, Jet, The Avalanches, Middle Kids, The Temper Trap, Paul Kelly, John Farnham and more will continue to be looked after by Cotchin on the Good Neighbour roster.
Good Neighbour has also announced Zoe Coverdale, who has spent the past 12 years managing Mushroom Music Publishing’s international department, as the new company’s Business Development Manager.
“We are always looking for new opportunities to grow and develop the Mushroom Group’s network of companies,” Mushroom chairman and founder Michael Gudinski said.
“Neighbouring rights is an intricate area of royalty collection that we’ve wanted to move into and naturally complements our other businesses. However, we recognised it was important to have the specialist knowledge and experience required to service our clients properly.
“Susan’s expertise and understanding of neighbouring rights is second to none and partnering with her made so much sense. I am excited to see what the company can achieve both within Australia and internationally.”
Cotchin added: “I have always had great reverence for Michael Gudinski and his colossal impact on the industry. When I was approached by the Mushroom Group and witnessed their professionalism and ongoing determination to manage neighbouring rights correctly, it made my decision to join forces an easy and obvious one.
“We launch Good Neighbour not as a start-up but as a leader in neighbouring rights from day one. The result of our combined interests and connections will enable us to extend our reach to more performers, without diluting the personal service we are famous for. We make a formidable team.”
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