The Difference between ASCAP and BMI
Todd Brabec, as Executive Vice President and Worldwide Director of Membership for ASCAP for well over 3 decades and was responsible for signing most of ASCAP’s successful songwriters and writer/artists including James Taylor, Marvin Gaye, Metallica, Green Day, Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Journey, the Jimi Hendrix catalogue, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bob McDill, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Sting, Marc Anthony, ZZ Top, Motley Crue, Billy Joel, Donna Summer, Foreigner, Bryan Adams, Steely Dan and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as well as the blockbuster film and television composers James Horner(“Avatar” and “Titanic”-the 2 top grossing films of all time), Alan Silvestri (“Marvel’s The Avengers”), Hans Zimmer ( “Pirates of the Caribbean” films), James Newton Howard (“Dark Knight”), Michael Giacchino (“Up”, “Medal of Honor” video games) and Randy Newman (“Toy Story” films), among many others.
Todd Brabec is the Vice President and Director of Membership for the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). He talks about the differences between ASCAP and BMI. One of the main differences is the reason each organization was founded. ASCAP is a writer and publisher owned organization dedicated to enforcing the copyright law. BMI is a corporation owned by the broadcasting industry. The two organizations also differ in other ways such as payment formulas. Also in this segment, Brabec stresses the affiliation regulations. Writers have to join one or the other. However, writers are free to switch to the other organization. The significance of a good relationship with foreign societies is covered as well. Brabec also focuses on the importance of having a contact at the performing rights organization (PRO). Also in this segment, he offers some advice. Brabec recommends knowing information such as the PRO’s philosophy and if they pay correctly in certain areas.
