ARIA, IFPI, double honour for Sony’s Denis Handlin

Sony Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand Chairman and CEO Denis Handlin AM has two more strings added to his bow.

This week he will be presented the ARIA Industry Icon Award for his contribution to Australian music. Aside from signing global successes as Men At Work, Midnight Oil, Rogue Traders, Tina Arena and Human Nature, he was also effective in his frequent stints as Chair of the ARIA board.

He galvanised the association in copyright, piracy and reform matters. He brought more of a mainstream focus for the ARIA charts and with initiatives, as the Hall of Fame. In 2005 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to music, the music industry, artist development and charity fundraising. Last month he celebrated his 30th year in the business with a massive fundraiser in Sydney.

Handlin will be presented the ARIA honour at the ARIA awards’ pre show Chairman’s Cocktail Party by Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum and Jessica Mauboy.

In addition, last week Handlin was elected Chairman of the Asia/Pacific Regional board of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the recorded music industry globally. He has strong ties to the region: he is also President of Sony Music Entertainment Asia.

Handlin replaces Lachie Rutherford, long-time President of Warner Music Asia Pacific and Chairman of Warner Music Japan, who is retiring from the company next month.

At the same meeting in Hong Kong, George Ash, Sydney-based President of Universal Music Asia Pacific, was elected Vice Chair, Handlin’s previous role.

Handlin stated: “I am delighted to accept the Chairmanship of IFPI’s Asia Pacific Regional Board. We have the seen the recording industry expand its operations across the region over the last few years, in part because of the role IFPI has been able to play in opening up markets and ensuring fair legislation to protect rights holders is in place. I believe we are only starting to tap the potential of emerging markets across Asia and the next few years offer a wealth of opportunity for record companies.”

Frances Moore, London-based Chief Executive of IFPI, added, "I am pleased to welcome Denis Handlin as the new Chairman of IFPI's Asia/Pacific Regional board. He is an executive of unparalleled experience with a long record of accomplishments. His guidance will be vital as IFPI continues its work to establish a better legal environment for record companies to do business in markets across the region.”