UAE CMO Music Nation Kicks Off Official Operations

Music Nation, the United Arab Emirates-based collective management organization (CMO), has formally commenced operations.

The personnel:

• Amer M. Samhoun has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.

• James K. Petrie is Chief Operating Officer.

• Ali Dee is Chief Creative Officer.

• All report to Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Founder and Chairwoman of Music Nation.

• They will be based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Why it matters:

• Music Nation will now administer public performance and mechanical rights across the UAE, drawing on its partnership with US-based PRO Broadcast Music, Inc (BMI).

• US-based CMO SoundExchange will provide Music Nation with neighboring rights administration.

• In a note to publishers, rights societies and industry partners, Al Mubarak stated that “Music Nation is licensing, collecting, distributing, and protecting royalties across public performance, mechanical, and neighboring rights.”

• She added: “This means creators, songwriters, composers, publishers, artists, and sound recording owners will finally be fairly and transparently compensated, in line with the UAE’s legislative framework, for the use of their work in the Emirates.”

What they said:

• Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, Founder and Chairwoman of Music Nation: “Today marks the start of a new era for artists in the UAE. With Music Nation’s technology and a leadership team that understands both the UAE’s cultural fabric and global music operations, we’re delivering a simple, transparent, and modern licensing solution that easily licenses businesses and quickly pays creators.”