Warner/Chappell Named 2003 Music Publisher of the Year

Successes Of 2003 Carry Forward With An Array Of 2004 Awards, Nominations

Wins at Annual BMI Awards, SESAC Awards; Songwriters Hall of Fame; Eight Nominations for Prestigious British Publishing Awards

In a clear signal that the momentum Warner/Chappell Music achieved in 2003 is carrying through into 2004, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group was named 2003 Publisher of the Year last night at the 52nd Annual BMI Awards. In addition, Warner/Chappell affiliate W.B.M. Music received seven publishing awards including Publisher of the Year and Song of the Year at SESAC's eighth annual New York Music Awards last week. Warner/Chappell Chairman and CEO Les Bider has been named the recipient of the Songwriters Hall of Fame's prestigious Abe Olman Award, to be presented in June for success and excellence in music publishing. And, Warner/Chappell has been further honored with eight nominations for the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards for publishing, upcoming in late May.

Honoring the nation's top songwriters and music publishers, the BMI Pop Awards ceremony was held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles last night. In addition to being named Publisher of the Year, 11 Warner/Chappell songwriters picked up awards at the BMI Awards ceremony.

"We're thrilled to be honored as Publisher of the Year," said Bider. "We are excited to be on top again after a difficult year of transition and change in the music industry. Our writers and artists are some of the most talented in the business and we look forward to continued success in 2004."

Warner/Chappell picked up six publishing awards at SESAC's eighth annual New York Music Awards last week. For the fourth year in a row, Warner/Chappell songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox won SESAC's Songwriter of the Year award. He also won four additional awards. Song of the Year went to Warner/Chappell's Trapt for "Headstrong."

Warner/Chappell Shined in 2003

Last week, it was announced that Bider will receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame's prestigious Abe Olman Award at the organization's 2004 Awards dinner on June 10. According to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, "The Abe Olman Award goes to a music publisher who has had a substantial number of songs that have become world-renowned and have furthered the careers and successes of many songwriters." Bider has led Warner/Chappell to success for almost three decades.

On April 26th, it was announced that Warner/Chappell received eight nominations for the internationally renowned Ivor Novello Awards for publishing. The Ivors, the premier international award ceremony celebrating music songwriting and publishing, are presented by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters. Winners for 2003 will be announced Thursday, May 27.

Source: Warner Music Group