CISAC announces APRA AMCOS CEO as new Chair

SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown elected for second term as Vice-Chair, VG Bild-Kunst Director General Urban Pappi elected Vice-Chair 

Ormston is only the second Australian ever elected to the role in the organisation’s 99-year history

The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) has announced its newly elected Board of Directors appointees, with Australia’s Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, elected as Chair.  

Ormston is only the second Australian ever elected to the role in the organisation’s 99-year history, bringing over 20 years of experience in music rights management, policy and advocacy. Since 2018, he has served as CEO of APRA AMCOS, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand’s music rights management organisation, representing over 124,000 songwriters, composers and publishers.  

On his appointment, Ormston said: “Being elected Chair of the CISAC Board at such a pivotal moment for creators worldwide is an honour. As the creative economy enters a new era shaped by AI and global digitalisation, the opportunity to secure a fair and thriving future for creators has never been greater. 

 “Creators are central to the cultural, social and economic fabric of every nation. Each country has a responsibility to nurture its own cultural voices by ensuring a strong copyright framework and enabling creators to share in the value generated by innovations such as Generative AI. 

 “CISAC's global network is uniquely positioned to amplify the voice of these creators to decision-makers across the world. I look forward to working with the new Board and the entire CISAC community to champion creators’ rights, further develop our services, and empower societies and their members to lead in this rapidly changing global market.”  
 
APRA AMCOS has been at the forefront of international copyright debate over Generative AI, launching the landmark AI and Music report in August 2024, which highlighted the benefits and concerns of the new technology amongst Australian and New Zealand music creators. CISAC went on to publish its own global study in December that year, which re-iterated international calls for Credit, Consent and fair Remuneration for songwriters and composers. 

Ormston is also one of 20 leaders from the creative industries and academia invited to join the Australian Government's Steering Committee of the Attorney-General’s Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Reference Group (CAIRG). 
 
Joining Ormston in the Board’s leadership are Urban Pappi, Director General of German visual arts society VG Bild-Kunst, elected as Vice-Chair for the first time, and Jennifer Brown, CEO of Canada’s SOCAN, re-elected for a second term as Vice-Chair. CISAC’s new Board appointments come at a time when the confederation is intensifying its work to improve music data systems, support policy development, and promote fairer conditions for creators in the digital economy 

CISAC Director General, Gadi Oron, welcomed the Board appointments, stating: “This is a strong and forward-looking Board, bringing together valuable experience, and broad geographic and sectoral diversity. I am delighted to welcome Dean Ormston as Chair and to work with him, our Vice-Chairs, and all Board members as we continue our mission to defend the rights of creators and support our member societies. We are focused on delivering results that make a meaningful impact for creators around the world.” 

Dean Ormston succeeds Marcelo Castello Branco, CEO of Brazilian society UBC, who completed six years of service as Board Chair, guiding CISAC through a period of transformation. Reflecting on his tenure, Castello Branco said: “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow Board members and the entire community I have had the privilege to engage with over these years. I am optimistic about the future of the collective management landscape. We must never forget that it is the creators who are our top priority. They are the fundamental reason for our existence and our ability to thrive in the future.” 

CISAC is the world’s leading network of authors’ societies (also referred to as Collective Management Organisations, or CMOs). CISAC protects the rights and represents the interests of creators worldwide. With 227 member societies in 116 countries, CISAC represents over four million creators of music, audio-visual, drama, literature, and visual arts. 

CISAC is presided over by Swedish songwriter, musician, singer, guitarist, producer and a member of the Swedish musical group ABBA, Björn Ulvaeus.