A look back on PPL PRS' time in Leicester.
Music licensing company, PPL PRS Ltd, is celebrating three years since the launch of TheMusicLicence with a look back over its time in Leicester.
The company now employs over 270 staff, with employees reflecting brand values of being passionate, straightforward, collaborate, play fair, and to value music. Since February 2018 the organisation has been issuing TheMusicLicence to businesses and organisations in the UK who play or perform music in public, transitioning all customers of PPL and PRS for Music from two separate licences to one more straightforward licence and process. PPL PRS Managing Director, Andrea Gray, said: “The first three years for any business can be a challenge, and we have met those challenges with a strength and passion to succeed. I am very proud of all the team here at PPL PRS, not just for how they have faced the difficulties of the last year, but how they have worked to build a business of which we are all immensely proud. "We are so proud that the work we do helps to support the music industry, and the many songwriters, composers and artists who have been hit hard by the pandemic. We look forward to celebrating this third anniversary in person with our colleagues and business partners later in the year when it is safe to do so.” PPL PRS has immersed itself in the Leicester business network, particularly since the arrival of current Managing Director Andrea Gray in November 2019.
Andrea won Businesswoman of the Year at the Niche Business Awards 2020, and has led PPL PRS’ significant contributions to the local economy:
Strategic Partner of East Midlands Chamber of Commerce
Business Partner of Curve Theatre
Active member of the Business Improvement District (BID) Leicester
Working with the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) to raise the profile of the city, and create a Local Industrial Strategy
Raising much needed funds for Help the Homeless Leicester and Soft Touch Arts
Supporting local sports teams such as Leicester Tigers and Leicester Riders
Hosting events in collaboration with LCB Depot and Leicester Business Festival
Supporting local business events such as Leicestershire Live Education Awards and Niche Business Awards
PRS for Music CEO, Andrea Czapary Martin, said: “I thank all those at PPL PRS for their tireless efforts and continued commitment to driving forward the business, especially during the uncertainty of the last 12 months.
"When PPL PRS and TheMusicLicence launched in 2018, it was a landmark moment for the UK music industry, bringing new efficiencies for licensees and maximising royalties for music creators. We know that music will continue to play an important role when it is safe for businesses to reopen.
"Until then, we are committed to supporting our customers, including the introduction of payment holidays, throughout the enforced closures brought on by COVID-19. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last three years and look forward to continuing to work closely with PPL for the benefits of both our members.”
The organisation has not only been supporting businesses and charities in the city, it has also been supporting its customers and workforce during the pandemic.
Thousands of businesses have been impacted by the enforced closures since March 2020, and PPL PRS has committed to ensuring that no business which has had to close due to the pandemic will have to pay for TheMusicLicence for any period of closure.
Transitioning the whole operation to home working as soon as the first lockdown was announced was a huge task but one which was managed with minimal effect to the customers being supported at that time.
As PPL PRS employees continued to work from home, the business has also worked hard to ensure they are supported, cared for and remain connected. Peter Leathem, Chief Executive Officer at PPL said: “It is great to see PPL PRS playing a positive role in Leicester’s community, just three years on from setting up there. As well as being a significant employer it is an active member in local business and economic organisations, and a supporter of local culture and sport. I want to congratulate the team in so quickly establishing a successful company in the city.
"Establishing the joint venture was an ambitious project undertaken by PPL and PRS for Music, and I’d like to thank PRS for Music for being great partners. PPL PRS has simplified the administration of music licensing in the UK for the benefit of everyone - licensees can spend more time on running their business and benefitting from playing music, while PPL and PRS for Music can collect public performance revenue for their members more effectively.”
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