Author: Breffni Banks

RTÉ 2FM today revealed its prestigious 2FM Rising list for 2023.

Chosen by a panel of experts, the eagerly anticipated list consists of ten music acts tipped for success, who are sure to have listeners enthralled with their work.

The ten artists are: 49th & Main, Aonair, April, Jen Payne, KhahiKid, Negro Impacto, Ryan Mack, Still Blue, Sweetlemondae, & Winnie Ama.

Alumni from 2FM Rising in recent years include world class artists like Fontaines DC, Denise Chaila. Dermot Kennedy, Jafairs, Lyra, Pillow Queens, Wild Youth, JC Stewart, The Murder Capital, For Those I Love, Monjola, Gemma Dunleavy, and Plantain Papi.

Rising Week will take place from January 16th – 20th across RTÉ 2FM, and will see the ten chosen acts – which 2FM will champion during the year – promoted extensively across the station. It will also broadcast exclusive new music and interviews with these up and coming artists.

Director of Music 2FM Adam Fogarty said: “2FM is extremely excited to announce our Rising list for 2023. Rising is an important initiative for us at the station in our support of Irish music and artists. It is something we are incredibly enthusiastic and passionate about.

“2FM already has a great track record with our Rising lists each year and we look to continue that this year. We believe our Rising list for 2023 is a great example of how strong and diverse the Irish music scene is right now and we feel our listeners will be as excited as we are about the quality of talent coming through and the incredible music they are making.We look forward to supporting our Rising acts and the many other great Irish acts across our platforms in 2023.”

2FM Rising is in association with IMRO and each of this years ten acts will also receive a €1,000 bursary (€10,000 in total) from the IMRO. 2FM Rising, in association with IMRO, is an artist development initiative providing airplay, promotional and content opportunities for its chosen participants.

IMRO’s Keith Johnson, Director of Marketing & Membership at IMRO,  said: “IMRO is delighted to continue its association with RTÉ 2FM Rising. Irish songwriters continue to push creative boundaries at home and on the international stage and the RTÉ 2FM Rising initiative will provide an invaluable showcase and support platform for all of the participating acts throughout 2023.”

GoldenPlec are delighted to announce IMRO as a partner for our PlecPicks 2023 series.

PlecPicks is our annual flagship series highlighting the best new Irish music to look out for in the year ahead.

Now in its 10th year of publication the ‘Ones To Watch’ style features series has built up a reputation as the most comprehensive and detailed series of its type in Ireland with a reputation for tipping artists such as Hozier, Dermot Kennedy, Soule, Denise Chaila, Joy Crookes, Fontaines D.C. and more besides ahead of their big break.

The series includes a month of features, published throughout February, focussing on up-and-coming Irish musicians. The 2023 series features singer-songwriter Nell Mescal, post-punk outfit Gurriers, Kilkenny dance duo 49^th & Main and many more Irish acts on the cusp of international success.

Speaking on the announcement GoldenPlec Editors Stephen Byrne and Ros Madigan stated:

“Over the course of the last 10 years we have worked tirelessly to build Plec Picks into Ireland’s premier new music feature series. We are excited to partner with IMRO on this project because it will enable us to introduce Irish artists to more people than ever before.

The Irish music scene has been decimated by the pandemic and now, more than ever it is important to support Irish music and the Irish music industry both at home and abroad. This partnership will allow GoldenPlec to continue to showcase the amazing talent of Irish artists across all genres.”

Breffni Banks, Marketing & Membership Manager IMRO added: “Since the beginning, PlecPicks has played a vital role in championing Irish music – providing an invaluable support platform for the tipped acts and the wider industry as a whole. IMRO is delighted to continue its partnership with the initiative in the coming year and look forward to the success that is destined to come for these artists throughout 2023 and beyond.”

The 2023 Plec Picks series will feature in-depth interviews with the chosen artists in tandem with a professional photoshoot created by GoldenPlec’s outstanding photography team; tailored to suit the unique visual style of each artist.

Keep an eye out on GoldenPlec’s social media for updates on each new act.

Minding Creative Minds announces an increase in its counselling session model, allowing the organization accommodate even more people from the sector who require a medium-term intervention or counselling care over a longer period.

Minding Creative Minds (MCM) is Ireland’s first 24/7 (32 county and our Irish overseas) wellbeing support programme for the entire Irish creative and arts sector. Since its launch in 2020, the organization’s offering has increased substantially but has always included counselling and advice services in association with Spectrum Life.  This, includes a *24/7 dedicated phone line and text service for short-term intervention, together with secure video counselling, amongst other contact options.

In the first of a number of planned initiatives by Minding Creative Minds in 2023 we are very pleased to announce that we can now offer a twelve (12) session counselling model to the entire Irish Creative & Arts sectors.  Speaking of this advancement, founder Dave Reid says; “Minding Creative Minds in association with Spectrum Life is delighted to now be able to offer a (12) twelve-session counselling model for anyone who works or is Involved within the Irish Creative or Arts sectors. A (12) twelve-session counselling model means Minding Creative Minds can now accommodate even more people from the sector who require a medium-term intervention or counselling and care over a longer period.  This increase compliments our Enhanced Service launched last October which offers up twelve (12) free counselling sessions with a dedicated trauma counselling specialist for anyone who has suffered serious trauma or sexual abuse.”

This winter, Minding Creative Minds also enhanced its service to include specialist trauma and abuse counselling care.  This primary advancement in our service offering was announced in collaboration with our creative partners at Screen Ireland, The Arts Council and Irish Theatre Institute as part of the Safe to Create programme announcement.   We are able to do this, due to the continued support of Minister Catherine Martin and her team at The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, for which we are sincerely thankful.  At its core; where short-term support intervention is identified this enhanced serviced involves a twelve-session counselling support with a specialist trauma and abuse clinician.   If longer term or open-ended support is identified, a suitable referral pathway can also be arranged with navigation support also by Minding Creative Minds.  (more details later in this document)

*The contact details for all our services remain as they have been since our launch in June 2020.

• 24/7 Dedicated Phone Line: ROI 1800 814 244 | NI / UK: 0800 0903677 | International:  00353 15180277
• Texting‘Hi’ to 087 369 0010 for SMS & WhatsApp Support (standard rate applies) with a qualified psychotherapist / counsellor.

Since launch over 1,200 people have contacted Minding Creative Minds and the service has facilitated in the region of 1,700 hours of support.  In addition, during the last twelve months alone, our in-house mentoring service has provided over 1500 mentoring hours to over 500 mentees involving 80 mentors across all art forms; including music, dance, theatre, artist management, publishing, television production, life coaching, event management, label and project management, digital marketing and others.

Since its launch Minding Creative Minds has hosted, organised or participated in numerous panel discussions within the creative sector including at Galway Film Fleadh, Docs Ireland Festival Belfast, Ireland Music Week, First Fortnight, RTE Choice Music Prize. The organisation has also hosted Masterclasses with Irish Theatre Institute, Screen Ireland, Improvised Music Company, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art & Design.  Minding Creative Minds holds a monthly online meet and greet session; The aim of this event is, quite simply, to share experiences and advice with each other. To support each other.  More recently we have also commenced supporting well-being events and initiatives including singer-songwriter Maria Kelly’s Postcards In-between this spring, Molly Sterling’s Reclaim Project and this summer, Joy in The Park; a festival legacy in honour of Joy, which took place at Fitzgerald Park in Cork.

As referenced earlier, Minding Creative Minds also offers advice and support on practical day to day issues which have the potential to cause stress and anxiety.  For example, legal and *financial advice, career guidance and life coaching. Our service offering focuses on the entire individual; whatever your need or question; if you work in any area of the Irish creative sector, contact us and let us help you; our services are free and confidential.

*When registered you are entitled to 30mins free advice per topic.  If you need financial assistance but in a couple of different areas, you are entitled to 30mins advice on each.  For example; Taxation (30mins), Mortgage enquiry (30mins) etc.

Job Title: Finance Assistant

Salary: Available on Request

Working Environment: Hybrid Working Model

Application: Please send a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria for the role to hr@nullimro.ie

Deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 3rd February.

IMRO administers the performing right in copyright music on behalf of its members (composers, authors and music publishers) and on behalf of members of the international overseas societies that are affiliated to it. IMRO’s function is to collect and distribute royalties arising from the public performance of copyright works.

The Finance department is at the core of ensuring the timely distribution of said royalties and is responsible for the maintenance of all accounting records within the Company.

Job Description

We are currently recruiting for a full time Finance Assistant to join our Finance Team.

The candidate will be required to have excellent attention to detail and proven experience in a finance role is preferable.

Main Tasks

• Follow established procedures for processing cash, cheques, direct debits & standing Orders.
• Maintain up-to-date billing system.
• Perform account reconciliations.
• Research and resolve payment discrepancies.
• Maintain accounts receivable customer files and records.
• Prepare bank deposits.
• Investigate and resolve customer queries.
• Process adjustments.
• Assist with the month-end closing.
• Planning and organising work effectively to meet agreed job objectives.
• Use personal judgement and initiative to develop effective and constructive solutions to challenges and obstacles encountered.
• Maintain regular consistent and professional attendance, punctuality, personal appearance.
• Adhere to local and externally relevant health and safety laws and policies.
• Adhere to IMRO company procedures.
• Deal with any ad hoc tasks and requests for information.

Requirements

• Prior experience of Accounts Receivable preferable.
• Knowledge of office administration and procedures.
• Familiarity with all elements of Microsoft Office is required.
• Job holders should have strong organisational abilities and possess keen attention to detail.
• Holders should be able to work as a team as well as working on their own initiative.
• The holder is also required to have excellent communication skills.
• An analytical mindset would be an advantage.

Job Title: Licensing Administrator – Revenue Assurance

Salary: Available on Request

Working Environment: Hybrid Working Model

Application: Please send a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria for the role to hr@nullimro.ie

Deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Tuesday 31st January 2023.

Purpose of Job

To generate and protect revenue through desktop research, to assist the NLSM to drive licensing revenue and to act as the first point of contact to circuit accounts and a secondary point of contact for all other accounts. To continually analyse and review all accounts that bill over an agreed royalty level (subject to change) for either IMRO or PPI and ensure consistency and completeness of charges. To contribute to the revenue assurance of the Licensing Department by maintaining quality records regarding each licensee so IMRO can rely on same for evidence, to challenge licensee declarations and to identify reassessment opportunities. The role also provides support for the other members of the Licensing Department and as a back up to the Customer First team.

Job Context and Content

The Licensing Administrator – Revenue Assurance (RA) is currently one position in the administration section of the Licensing Department.

The Licensing Administrator – RA is the primary office contact with IMRO’s circuits and a secondary contact for other large customers and is responsible in large part for the customers’ perception of the company.  In addition, the position is responsible for providing reassessment opportunities for the field and telesales teams from the existing customer base.

The Licensing Administrator – RA works in conjunction with all other members of the Licensing & Credit Control Departments and reports to the National Licensing Sales Manager.

Principal Accountabilities

• Supporting the Customer First, Credit Control & Legal teams by acting as point of reference for queries in respect to performance particulars of licenses.
• Responsibility for constantly reviewing all large (above a certain level for either IMRO / PPI or both) and circuit (multiple location) accounts –  to ensure they are correctly licensed and invoiced.
• To identify opportunities for up-selling from the existing licensee base and to ensure the field and telesales teams have all the evidence and support needed to reassess the account and increase revenue.
• Updating CRM notes and tasks accordingly.
• Updating customer specific evidence templates and attaching same to CRM
• Assisting the Customer First Team with any declarations from Large & Circuit accounts.
• Abiding by the IMRO Customer Charter.
• Support when required for the other members of the Licensing Department
• Back-up team member for the Customer First Team
• Undertaking such other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time.

Principal Working Contacts

• Existing Customers
  When required re resolution of queries, contracts, quotation of royalties for additions to circuits and clarification of legal obligations where needed in relation to IMRO’s & PPI’s activities. This must be done in a timely, efficient and professional manner
• National Licensing Sales Manager
  On a daily/weekly basis re reporting and targets.
• Licensing Field Sales Executives
  On a daily/weekly basis re opportunities / protecting revenue
• Chief Commercial Officer
  On a regular basis regarding wider Licensing department matters
• Telesales Staff
  On a daily/weekly basis re opportunities / protecting revenue
• Credit Control & Legal teams
  On a daily/weekly basis re general queries on large accounts
• Licensing executives and other staff in Licensing Dept
  As required re queries on customer accounts and supervision

Challenges Faced

The core challenge faced by the Licensing Administrator – RA is to research and maintain accurate records of music usage for all large & circuit customers three months prior to their annual renewal invoice being issued, to achieve an efficient flow of information through the licensing department and to customers when requested/required. All records must be recorded in a timely manner to CRM. Another challenge lies in meeting agreed targets in terms of the number of accounts to be reviewed on a monthly basis.

Planning and Organising

The overall planning and setting of priorities is decided by the National Licensing Sales Manager in the context of the overall departmental requirements.  The Licensing Administrator – RA is responsible for the planning and organisation of day-to-day work.

Knowledge and Experience

A Leaving Certificate level of education and a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a customer services/sales administration background are desirable for this position. Good inter-personal skills, attention to detail, excellent MS Office skills, along with a strong familiarity with social media matched with an ability to work under pressure and to deadlines, are essential.

Job Title: Licensing Administrator – New Business

Salary: Available on Request

Working Environment: Hybrid Working Model

Application: Please send a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria for the role to hr@nullimro.ie

Deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Tuesday 31st January 2023.

Purpose of Job

To manage the processing of new business from the sales licensing team using IMRO’s bespoke CRM system. Assist licensing with processing direct debit discounts (credit notes) resulting from new business and converting as many customers (new & existing) to sign up to our Customer Portal. They will also be responsible for Portal verifications and will assist in IMRO’s marketing campaigns.

Job Context and Content

They will be required to perform quality and legal checks to ensure all signed Dual Music Licence (DML) Contracts are correct and legally binding. They will also ensure all DD’s accompanying the DML are processed with finance and set up for any payment discounts due. They will be responsible for scanning the DMLs to CRM, sending a copy to the customer and ensure all documents are sent to storage. They will send all new customers their first invoice and prompt them to sign up for the IMRO Portal.

Principal Accountabilities

• Ensuring returned DMLs are 100% legally binding by preforming a list of checks.
• Creating, adding notes and adjusting accounts on CRM.
• Scanning, copying and ensuring all customers receive their countersigned copy within the agreed timeframe.
• Verifying all requests for Portal sign-up
• Processing all new business DD’s
• Sending out customers first invoice
• Assisting Customer First with requests for documentation (statements/invoices)
• Generating Sales Leads (using MESLIS and other sources)
• Weekly reporting to the National Licensing Sales Manager
• Supporting – when required for the other members of the Licensing Department
• Undertaking such other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time.

Principal Working Contacts

• New and Existing Customers
  When required – queries on first invoice, portal, checking declarations, sending requested copies of documentation.
• National Licensing Sales Manager
  On a daily basis re performance, queries and new DML numbers and value etc.
• Licensing Administrators and other staff in Licensing Dept
  As required re queries on new customer accounts and auditing accounts.
• Licensing Field and Phone Sales Executives
  On a regular basis regarding customer queries, sales leads and quality control issues regarding new licenses.
• Credit Control & Legal teams
  On a regular basis re general queries and production of DMLs, including those for new business infringement.
• Chief Commercial Officer
  On a regular basis regarding wider Licensing department matters.

Challenges Faced

The main challenge faced is to ensure all new DMLs are legally binding in case they are ever needed for infringement and or for court review. Important all checks are performed, with errors highlighted promptly so that the field/phones teams can get resigned if necessary, quickly. Attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively are key in this role but all challenges can be overcome with hard work and dedication and to be focused to the tasks at hand.

Organisation

The job holder needs to be efficient and focused to getting through a large volume of contracts whilst ensuring follow-ups and queries are also resolved in a timely manner. They need to be able to organise their day to day activities to ensure that they process all DMLs returned for that specific month before month end and that customers wishing to sign up for the Portal are called promptly.

Knowledge and Experience

A business / admin background, working in a quality and target orientated environment for at least 2 years is essential. A proven track record of working in a high-volume environment is a must and an ability to work to the highest level of quality and have outstanding attention to detail. The job holder must have good interpersonal skills, a passion for customer service and must be IT proficient.