PPL, the British music licensing company, has announced its sponsorship of the Administrator of the Year category at this year’s A&R Awards, also known as The Forbsie. The award is named after Ashley Forbes, a revered A&R Administrator at EMI who passed away in 2021 after a 32-year career at the company. The A&R Awards celebrate the achievements of executives, managers, producers, and songwriters in the music industry. Natalie Wade, Director of Music Industry Engagement at PPL, highlighted the crucial role played by A&R administrators in coordinating various elements to keep label teams running smoothly.
The 2023 A&R Awards will take place on November 7th at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, with a sold-out crowd expected to attend. The event will also honor industry legends alongside recognizing the success of the past year’s top executives and creatives. PPL aims to champion the contribution of A&R administrators to the industry, as their meticulous documentation and logging of tracks play a vital role in maximizing value for performers and recording rightsholders when their music is played.
In addition to the Administrator of the Year category, the A&R Awards include other categories such as Producer of The Year, A&R of the Year in various genres, Song of the Year, and Publisher of the Year, among others. Abbey Road Studios serves as the headline sponsor for the event, which promises show-stopping special presentations such as the A&R Icon and the Sir George Martin Award.
