Author: Press Officer

Joy In The Park will host its inaugural event in Fitzgerald’s Park in Cork on the afternoon of Sunday July 17, 2022.

In partnership with Cork Mental Health Foundation, Joy In The Park will be a celebration of life, whilst highlighting the importance of minding our mental health and well-being through bringing the community together and finding our Joy.

The event is supported with funding from the HSE through the Connecting for Life Cork programme, as part of the HSE suicide prevention mental health strategy and Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Cork City Council’s Arts Office, The Community Section and the LCDC community grant, PARKS, Environment & Amenities, IMRO, Jacobs Engineering and Shine A Light with additional programming support from Minding Creative Minds and the Music Generation Cork City Programme.

A free, fun filled family afternoon, Joy In The Park will take on a carnival atmosphere, promising a quirky and an eclectic mix of live music, spoken word, storytelling, children’s entertainment, circus, workshops, wellness activities alongside a delicious food market.
The event features a top line-up of music, with Indie legend and ringmaster Jerry Fish performing the John McCarthy Main Stage alongside innovative, world music band, KILA and Cork Ska favourites & Pontious Pilate & The Nail Drivers.

A diverse programme of performances will take place throughout the afternoon, including the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Tent, hosting the acoustic stage headlined by Cork native and renowned songwriter John Spillane and featuring some of Ireland’s finest musicians; the Joy Sylvie Spoken Word Stage presenting a superb line-up of poetry, hiphop & spoken word as well as a magical musical experience with Cork Pops Ensemble. The Couch Sessions in association with Minding Creative Minds, Ireland’s first 24/7 (32 county and our Irish overseas) wellbeing support programme for the entire Irish creative sector, will bring the living room outside, hosting a number of mental health panels and podcast interviews whilst the Sensory & Wellness Haven will create a space of serenity, forming the backdrop for the shimmering and soothing sounds of the Cork Community Gamelan, a Javanese gong & percussion ensemble.

The Cork Circus Factory will entertain families with their dynamic shows and the chance to participate in their workshops following the performances, whilst various happenings will take place throughout the park including the parade of the Pompous Creatures presented by the Cork Puppetry Company, a New Orleans jazz procession by Rebel Brass and Rap A’Mile by Cork’s young rappers as part of the Music Generation Cork City Programme, who will deliver a number of performances by some of Corks most talented young musicians throughout the afternoon in partnership with their programme providers; Cork Academy of Music, Music MashUp, Barrack Street Band, The Kabin Studio, Creative Tradition and UCC Community Gamelan.

Joy In The Park will balance that sense of fun with connection and understanding, whilst raising awareness for mental health and well-being through an engaging programme of wellness, sensory activities and workshops, provided by the HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Community Work Health Action Zone Team and a number of organisations and community groups including Shine, MyMind.org, GROW, Cork Counselling Services and Jigsaw. They will be joined by Pieta, Samaritans, Shine A Light and Aware.ie who will be at the event as part of the support hub, offering their support and information throughout the afternoon.

Joy In The Park is a free event and open to the public from 12noon until 6pm on Sunday July 17, 2022.

For more information and programming visit www.joyinthepark.com

Job Title: Credit Control Assistant
Salary: Available On Request
Terms: Fixed term contract
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 25th May 2022.

1.            Purpose of Job

This position within the Licensing Dept. contributes to the overall operation of the company by helping to carry out the credit control function of the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) from IMRO Head Office, particularly as it pertains to Public Performance licensing and collections covering both IMRO royalties and PPI royalties collectable by IMRO. This covers licensing in respect of copyright music and sound recordings in pubs, shops, offices, restaurants, etc for IMRO and PPI and as licensed under the Dual Copyright Music Licence Contract and the IMRO Copyright Music Licence Contract. The position is part of the Licensing Department of IMRO and reports to the Credit Control Manager.

The Credit Control Assistant position plays a key role in the Licensing Department, and the position works with all staff within the department to contribute to the maximisation of public performance cash collections for both IMRO and IMRO as an agent of PPI.

Whilst it is envisaged that this role will concentrate mainly on PPI debt initially, this may be broadened out to include IMRO debt as the contract matures.

2.            Job Context and Content

The Credit Control Assistant is currently one of a team of 4 staff positions responsible for cash collection of all non-broadcasting areas of public performance except Cinemas and some Permit Accounts

The Credit Control Assistant works in conjunction with the Credit Control Manager, National Licensing Sales Manager, Field Sales Executives, In-House Solicitor, Legal Executives and Licensing Assistants.

The Credit Control Assistant is one of the primary office contacts with IMRO’s & PPI’s licensees and is responsible in large part for the customers’ perception of the company.

3.            Principal Accountabilities

• Hands on management of accounts on a daily basis including contacting licensees by telephone, letter and email.
• Dealing with customer queries
• Monitoring on progress towards budgetary targets on monthly/quarterly/annual basis
• The maintenance of databases and records used by the Credit Control and Licensing sections of the Department.
• Liaison with Licensing team in resolving invoice queries.
• Helping to achieve Cash Collection targets for Annual Budget.
• Recording all contacts with licensees regarding their account on the IMRO Licensing system
• If required preparation of cases for court, ensuring that all necessary documentation is in place and all necessary witnesses are available, as well as possibly attending as a witness.
• Printing and posting of credit control letters, statements and invoices to licensees.
• Undertaking such other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time.

4.            Working Contacts

• Existing and Potential Customers

On a daily basis re resolution of account/invoice queries, clarification of legal obligations in relation to IMRO’s and PPI’s activities and collection of monies due to IMRO and PPI.

• Credit Control Manager

On a daily basis re briefing on performance in relation to targets set and resolving difficult issues that may arise with a licensee.

• Solicitors

As required via Credit Control Manager re instructions to take action regarding outstanding debts, provision of details of accounts, and decisions re settlement of cases.

• Field Sales Executives & National Licensing Sales Manager

As required re collections.

• Other staff in Licensing Dept

As required re queries on customer accounts.

5.            Challenges Faced

The core challenge faced by the Credit Control Assistant is the achievement of a pre-determined cash collection target in the context of varying levels of resistance to the payment of royalties.  The Credit Control Assistant resolves this primarily through personal contact and building relationships with customers.  (This is supported by the company strategy in relation to forging links with representative groups of music users.)  The establishment of a good working relationship with other Licensing Department staff is important in this regard.

6.            Planning and Organising

The overall planning and setting of priorities is agreed by the Credit Control Assistant with the Credit Control Manager in the context of the overall budgetary targets.  The Credit Control Assistant is responsible for the planning and organisation of his/her day-to-day work.

7.            Direction Received

Daily contact with the Credit Control Manager determines priorities and need for focusing/refocusing.  Difficult issues are referred to the Credit Control Manager and the Director of Licensing.

8.            Knowledge and Experience

A good Leaving Certificate required, with a third level qualification in a business related discipline an advantage. Membership of and training through the Irish Institute of Credit Management a distinct advantage.

The job holder needs at least 2 years’ experience in one or more organisations, with a large diversified customer account base. Work experience in a service based organisation in a credit control department is essential. The job holder must be computer literate with strong knowledge of MS Office applications. Initiative, organisational abilities, report writing skills and good interpersonal skills are important characteristics that should be possessed by the individual holding this position. Interaction with staff and management at all levels within the organisation will be common. Customer management skills are important as well as an ability to work under pressure and to deadlines, are essential.  A basic understanding of how to deal with legal cases is desirable.

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has welcomed the announcement from Government yesterday of an extension of the 9% VAT rate for those operating in the Experience Economy. The extension will be an important factor in protecting demand for services against economic uncertainty, as well as ensuring the long-term viability of the Experience Economy.

Ibec Director of Membership and Sectors, Sharon Higgins said: “Today’s announcement will be a welcome relief for those companies operating in the Experience Economy who were brought to the brink as they complied with public health restrictions and are still today gradually emerging from Covid disruptions. The certainty that today’s announcement brings will enable these companies to plan a route back to viability over the coming years.

“While today’s announcement is welcome, it is important to acknowledge that it must be seen as a first step in the broader development of Ireland’s Experience Economy offering.  Industry would like to see continued investment and support to promote domestic tourism, festivals, events, and wider entertainment industry and for domestic tourism product development. In addition, there ought to be an increase in funding for overseas tourism and event promotion and product development, as well as funding to support activity to attract large scale business events, conferences, and global events such as The Gathering, to Ireland.

“In addition, we need to look beyond Covid and ensure ambitious investment is directed towards supporting life-long learning in the experience economy to promote adaption, flexibility, and future proofing.”

Job Title: International Administrator – Internship
Salary: Available On Request
Terms: 3 months fixed term contract
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 13th May 2022.

Purpose of Job

An exciting opportunity has become available for a paid, International internship within IMRO.

The overarching purpose of the role is to provide administration support to the Media Licensing Team in support of its challenging revenue targets. In addition, the job holder will be involved in specific revenue-generating projects.

The role may suit recent graduates or those interested in starting a career in the music industry. Candidates will preferably have some work experience in a sales administrator/customer service role and a keen interest in music.

Job Context and Content

The International Administrator will join the existing team of 4 people within the Media Licensing department. The role will provide the successful candidate with experience across many essential revenue functions for IMRO. This includes assisting with administrating customer accounts across broadcasters, record labels, advertisers, video-on-demand services and music streaming services.

In addition, a core focus of the role is providing support to IMRO’s international business, whereby we identify and secure royalties for IMRO members as a result of their music being used in overseas markets.

The International Administrator works in conjunction with all other members of the Media Licensing team, will be supervised by the Senior International Executive and reports to the Chief Commercial Officer.

Principal Accountabilities

• Investigating and assisting International to resolve queries in relation to royalty matters which result from domestic distributions to affiliated societies.
• Regular contact with Distribution team personnel and Membership/Marketing department personnel regarding affiliated society queries to IMRO and performance/repertoire notifications.
• Amended Works – review of amendments made to IMRO repertoire on our internal database. Where necessary, notification is sent out to affiliates to ensure IMRO repertoire is correctly documented and paid by our affiliates. Amendments can include a change in shares, publishing or addition of new members.
• AV General – review of works by IMRO members where they have included TV/Film and other media. These include advertisements, audio-visual cues and featured works.
• Share Discrepancies Review – review of payments to IMRO members from International affiliates where shares paid do not match the internal registration.
• Unidentified Performance Claims files review – these files are received from affiliates on a regular basis and contain unpaid exploitations of works, audio-visual broadcasts and live performances. These files are reviewed for IMRO repertoire and a subsequent notification with the information required for the claim is sent.
• Assisting the Licensing Officer – Live Music with processing of invoices and ad hoc queries.
• Providing general administrative support to the Media Licensing Team where required.

Principal Working Contacts 

• Senior International Executive

Daily to ensure the efficient and smooth running of the International function’s day to day work flow.

• Media Licensing and Publisher Account Manager

Daily to ensure the efficient and smooth running of media licensing day to day work flow.

• Affiliate Societies

On a regular basis in responding to outbound queries and relevant team project work.

• Chief Commercial Officer

Regularly regarding objectives, priorities, and developmental support.

Challenges Faced

Flexibility is key to success in this role. The International Administrator will be assigned ongoing objectives and will be expected to work with a high degree of initiative to ensure the Media Licensing Team is supported in achieving its revenue targets. The International Administrator should have good communication skills, work well as part of a team, and be comfortable in performing routine tasks involving data. The International Administrator will need to manage their personal workload to ensure all key administrative tasks are completed accurately on time.

Planning and Organising

Daily contact with the Media Licensing Team determines priorities and need for focusing/refocusing. Difficult issues are referred to the Chief Commercial Officer. The Team meets regularly to discuss objectives, workflow and support.

Direction Received

The job holder will receive extensive training on IMRO’s systems and will be provided with a broad education on the licensing of copyright music and royalty collection.  Given the entry level nature of the role, training and development will be a crucial and ongoing aspect to the role. The job holder will be supported by attendance at industry seminars, educational workshops and internal training as required, all of which will be paid for by IMRO.

Knowledge and Experience

It is preferable that the successful candidate has some experience working in a sales administrator/customer service role. The candidate will need the ability to manage varied operational tasks and resolve conflicting priorities. The candidate will need a working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages including Word, Outlook and Excel. A good general knowledge of the Irish music industry would be of benefit alongside a relevant third level qualification.