Meet the MusicWorks Panelists: Amy Eligh and Rich Brisson

Placements in TV, film, and digital projects can be a lucrative source of income for songwriters and recording artists, not to mention a great outlet to reach new fans. But how can you be successful in having your songs heard by music supervisors and used in media placements? We'll be joined by Arts & Craft's Amy Eligh and Cadence Music's Rich Brisson to talk about strategies to access the world of music publishing and sync licensing and hear some of their own success stories at our October 25 DIY Series session, Publishing & Sync Licensing 101. 

Amy Eligh began her career in publishing at Casablanca Media / Red BrickSongs in the copyright and royalties department, before moving into Creative –
where she successfully stationed herself for over a decade before moving to Arts & Crafts Music. Within her role as director of publishing and licensing, Eligh pitches large-scale catalogue of songs for film, trailers, advertising, video games, and TV (US and Canada) as well as oversees the day-to-day within the department. In addition to pitching, Eligh organizes showcases for clients / songwriters with TV networks, music supervisors, and advertisers. She also develops new writers, arranges co-writing sessions, coordinates and hosts song-writing camps, and scouts for talent. At Arts & Crafts Music, Eligh works with Broken Social Scene, Timber Timbre, Reuben and the Dark, Overcoats, The Darcys, Lowell, Taylor Knox, and many more. 

Rich Brisson has been on the business side of music for 10+ years having started his career in music supervision at one of Toronto’s leading audio post production house, The Eggplant Collective. There, Brisson successfully worked to help place bands, artists, singers and composers in over 300 television commercials including spots for Bell, McDonalds, Ikea, Mazda, and Chevy. Currently, Brisson heads up the sync and licensing division at Cadence Music Group, which is home and parent company to boutique record labels Physical Presents, Pheromone Recordings, Cadence Music, and Open Road Recordings, and to one of Canada’s leading independent music distributors, Fontana North, representing the master recording rights to a wide variety of labels in Canada including to ATO Records, Nevado Music, Culvert Music, and Bright Antenna Records. Highlighted artists include Alabama Shakes, My Morning Jacket, Joel Plaskett, Kathleen Edwards, Mo Kenney, Taylor Knox and Winnipeg’s own The Treble. 

Get to know them with our little Q+A...

If you could have one superpower what would it be?

Amy: Super Speed!

Rich: To travel back in time to check out legendary concerts!

What is the most common misconception about the sync and licensing world?

Amy: That the music supervisor is the only decision maker in the process. Just because you have a supervisors ear doesn’t mean a sync is going to happen, there are many many variables.

Rich: That lyrics don’t matter… lyrics matter!

What is your favourite soundtrack from a show or film?

Amy: Pulp Fiction

Rich: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score from the Social Network. So simple, so affective! 

When you were six, what did you say you wanted to be when you grow up?

Amy: horse trainer, large animal vet, pilot, singer.. should I keep going?

Rich: Major League Baseball player… there’s still time!

What is the coolest part about your job?

Amy: Working closely with songwriters and music supervisors. Travel is pretty cool tho too :)

Rich: Hunting down the "needle in the hay stack”… and guest lists to concerts!

Don't miss your chance to connect with these panelists at the Publishing & Sync Licensing 101 session on October 25.