Bicycle Music Company CEO Jake Wisely joins NMPA Board

CEO of The Bicycle Music Company, Jake Wisely, has joined the National Music Publishers’ Association’s Board of Directors.

Wisely has spent over 30 years in the music industry.

He launched independent label Red Decibel in 1990, and stints at ASCAP, EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing and eMusic.com followed.

After serving as Co-President of US-based independent music publisher and rights manager, The Bicycle Music Company, Wisely was promoted to CEO in 2015.

Two months later, Concord Music Group merged with The Bicycle Music Company, forming Concord Bicycle Music while raising $100m in investment.

Wisely continues to run its music publishing division, overseeing creative operations, business affairs, licensing and administration of Bicycle’s growing catalog and roster.

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite said: “As a longtime friend and adviser to me, I am thrilled to have Jake officially on our Board.

“Jake is an innovator at heart and has grown the publishing arm of his company by huge margins in a short time. We all welcome him and are privileged to have his perspective.”

david israelite, nmpa

“Jake is an innovator at heart and has grown the publishing arm of his company by huge margins in a short time. 

“The NMPA Board benefits from diverse viewpoints and Jake is a creative force who will make an immediate impact. We all welcome him and are privileged to have his perspective.”

NMPA Board Chairman Irwin Robinson added: “It’s never been more important for the songwriting and music publishing industry to be united in our fight for fair rates, and Jake’s work across the PRO and publishing space makes him an ideal addition to our Board. 

“Jake’s range of experience will be a huge asset to us as we approach the many challenges we face in the digital age.”

irwin robinson, nmpa

“His range of experience as director of membership at ASCAP and at major and independent publishers will be a huge asset to us as we approach the many challenges we face in the digital age.”

“As an independent publisher, I am humbled to stand with so many friends and respected executives on the front line of issues facing songwriters and music publishers.”

jake wisely, the bicycle music company

Wisely said: “As an independent publisher, I am humbled to stand with so many friends and respected executives on the front line of issues facing songwriters and music publisher. 

“The NMPA under the leadership of David and Irwin has tenaciously challenged inequity in licensing and legislation and I am thrilled to support their efforts in finding solutions for creators and rights holders.”

Since the merger, Concord Bicycle Group has been on an acquisition spree, snapping up Wind-up and Fearless Records, AEG’s live event production arm, Bounce, the catalogues of HighTone Records and Bandit Records and Imagem Music Group

It’s also launched new companies with US indie Razor & Tie and theatre rights licensing company, The Really Useful Group

Publishing deals have been signed with Grammy-Award winning songwriter, artist and producer Daniel Lanois and the Estate of George Harrison, while recording agreements have been inked with R.E.M and multi-platinum selling alternative rock band Switchfoot

The Bicycle Music Company’s catalogue includes the works of George Harrison, Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Fogerty, Trent Reznor, Glen Ballard, Marvin Hamlisch, Robert Johnson, Daniel Lanois, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Sebastian, and Dwight Yoakam.

Wisely is also a partner in Concord Bicycle Music, a member of the California Copyright Conference and he sits on the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and the Independent Music Publisher Forum (IMPF).

Music Business Worldwide

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