Market profile
August 15, 2007
Guy Fletcher is the founder of Aim-listed MCS, the biggest independent music publisher in Europe. He has written extensively for Tom Jones and Ray Charles, and was made an OBE for services to the music industry last year.
He was the first British composer to be recorded by Elvis Presley. His hit songs include Just Pretend and The Fair’s Movin On. Mr Fletcher talks about MCS’ troubles last year when Kingstreet Media went into administration owing it money and working with the Wombles.
What is the biggest threat to protecting copyright?
The internet is fast becoming a major platform for delivery of music in many different contexts. However, the advent of internet social networks, peer-to-peer file sharing, free downloading, etc. have created communication systems whose operators are generally unwilling to enter into licensing agreements with collection societies making it difficult, if not impossible for them to keep track of the online use of our copyrights. Much of the world’s music is therefore used for free.
How can composers protect copyright in the digital age?
Many wannabe Lily Allen’s think the fast route to fame is to upload their work on to MySpace, start a viral campaign and watch the money roll in. No matter how popular your song becomes, if you haven’t signed with a publisher like MCS, BMG or EMI who works within the collection societies network, you are unlikely to realise your dream. Writers and performers can, of course, do it all themselves but you need to be really savvy about licensing and copyright management to make it work.
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What was it like dealing with a company going into administration?
It was very stressful. We were owed a lot of money by a company that went into receivership and we felt somewhat powerless to do anything about it. Unfortunately, the British legal system seems to protect companies that owe the money.
Which performer have you most enjoyed working with?
Brownie McGee and Sonny Terry, when I was a teenage trumpet player and they were blues legends in their 80s.
Are you really on the lookout for a Chinese Cliff Richard?
I have written a number of songs for Cliff Richard including The Eurovision hit, Power to all our Friends, Sing a Song of Freedom, Baby You’re Dynamite, so that’s where the Chinese Cliff Richard stuff obviously comes from. It is true we have been on the lookout for an Asian “Cliff Richard” to appeal to the Asia-Pacific audience. Funnily enough, we have found one! A terrific young performer called Daniel Tse from Manchester.
What is your funniest moment as a songwriter?
Being arrested for trying to carry one of Mike Batt’s Womble suits through customs at Los Angeles airport. Mike Batt is one of the Britain’s best known songwriters and had eight hit singles and four gold albums with The Wombles.
What’s the oddest thing about being a quoted company?
With the impending take-private of EMI, we will be the only pure music publisher listed in London!
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