PRS NAMES NEW CHIEF EXEC 

British PRO PRS for Music has gone outside the music business to find a successor to Chief Exec Robert Ashcroft, tapping business leader Andrea C. Martin to take up the post starting 6/17.

Martin has been President and CEO of three international business units, including Readers Digest Association, a multi-brand media and entertainment company, Managing Director of data services for the Royal Mail in the U.K. and President of ADT Canada. Her most recent roles include Advisory Board Member for loan and investment start-up Moneyflow and non-exec director of Canadian telecoms firm Quebecor.

According to PRS, Martin was hired her for her “proven track record in building strong teams, investing in employee development and multi-stakeholder communications to lead highly performing businesses.”

“Andrea is an exceptional business leader and I know will continue and accelerate PRS’ development into the world’s leading rights management organization,” PRS Chairman Nigel Elderton said. “Our industry is changing and increasingly competitive; we have to offer the best service and experience to every member, every customer and our employees too.”

Across her career, Martin’s focus has been on delivering exceptional customer service and growth, utilizing technology and big data, PRS noted.

In her new role, Martin will lead an organization of 500 people across two London sites and three joint ventures, representing 140k songwriters, composers and music publishers.

Commenting on her appointment, Martin said: “I am honoured and excited to lead PRS for Music and have the opportunity to shape the future of a renowned U.K. and global music business, that is inherent to its songwriters, composers and publishers.”