Peermusic has promoted Paul Smelt to chief operating officer.
In this newly created role, Smelt will oversee the administration of publishing and neighbouring rights for the company’s global offices. He previously served as COO of Peermusic Neighbouring Rights.
Smelt will be based out of Peermusic’s offices in Amsterdam and report to CEO Mary Megan Peer.
As COO of Peermusic, Smelt will work closely with the leadership team across client service, administration and strategic growth. He will be responsible for the company’s day-to-day administrative operational functions.
His job will encompass publishing (copyright and royalties) and neighbouring rights (repertoire and distributions).
Mary Megan Peer said: “Paul has been crucial in the integration of the three neighbouring rights companies we acquired in 2020 as their COO. We look forward to his continued success as he takes on this role in supporting our publishing operations as well. Paul’s expertise and client focus make him a perfect fit for Peermusic’s priorities. We are fortunate that Peermusic can draw on the integrity and leadership that Paul brings in this newly created position.”
Paul Smelt said: “It’s an honour to work alongside a team of people that are dedicated to creating firsts in this industry and that consistently inspire me by their knowledge, network and level of service to the music community. I am grateful that Mary Megan has entrusted me with this position and for the opportunity to honor Peermusic’s history of championing songwriters and artists for nearly 100 years.”
Paul’s expertise and client focus make him a perfect fit for peermusic’s priorities
Mary Megan Peer
Smelt joined Peermusic in 2020 when Peermusic acquired Global Master Rights, the neighbouring rights company he co-founded with Erik Veerman [now managing director, Peermusic Neighbouring Rights].
In 2020, Peermusic acquired Global Master Rights, Premier Muzik and All Right Music, a deal that immediately made the newly formed Peermusic Neighbouring Rights into one of the leading independent neighbouring rights companies in the world.
It has a client roster that encompasses over 300-plus recording rights owners and 3,000-plus performers, including Billie Eilish, Teddy Swims, Imagine Dragons, Martin Garrix, Megan Thee Stallion, HER and Stromae, and over 300 record labels including Armada Music, Codiscos, Spinnin' Records, Empire, Ninja Tune and Big Machine.
Smelt was named COO of Peermusic Neighbouring Rights in 2023. In this role, he has been a key partner in the development of Peermusic’s proprietary neighbouring rights software and led an Operations team based in Montreal, Biarritz and Amsterdam.
He co-founded Global Master Rights in 2014, where his leadership role included operational management, finance, data and key client relations. Prior to that, Smelt worked at neighbouring rights organisation SENA.
PHOTO: Melody Rae
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