Karen Don Appointed Head of Membership at APRA AMCOS

Karen Don is the new head of membership at APRA AMCOS.

A major music company veteran, Don climbs the ladder at the PRO following her appointment last June as director publisher services.

Announced today (Feb. 28), Don will oversee the membership division’s strategy, framework and roadmap to deliver “best-in-class efficient and effective service” to the not-for-profit’s 119,000-plus songwriter, composer and publisher members, reads a statement.

In this role, effective from Monday, Feb. 26, Don is responsible for delivering and innovating a suite of services to the organisation’s global membership, including music publishing enterprise members, individual established songwriters and composers, and emerging songwriters across every genre.

She succeeds Alison Wright, who announced her resignation in October 2023 following two years in the role, triggering a recruitment process.

“Karen’s experience and in-depth knowledge of the Australasian music ecosystem and the global marketplace makes her incredibly well-equipped to lead the Membership team as we evolve our services and provide support that meets the diverse needs of our members,” comments Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS.

Prior to joining APRA AMCOS, Don clocked up more than two decades at Universal Music Australia and Universal Music Publishing, serving in legal and business affairs executive positions, and served on the ARIA board.

“I am very excited to be stepping into the position of head of membership, which is such an important role, both within APRA AMCOS and the wider music industry,” she comments following her elevation.

“I look forward to leading the organisation’s membership initiatives and service delivery and am committed to championing the creativity and professional growth of our songwriter, composer and music publisher members.”

Based in Sydney, Don racked-up 23 years with the Universal labels and music publishing companies in Australia and NZ, completing her tenure in late 2022 when she served as senior VP, legal & business affairs.

Prior to that, she was senior lawyer with the Sydney Olympic Broadcasting Organisation, and senior lawyer with ARIA for a two-year stint before that.

Last October, APRA AMCOS reported all-time high revenue of $690.5 million for its 2023 financial year, up 12% on the FY22 result.

At the same time, net distributable revenue, the cash that flows to songwriter and publisher members, affiliates and rightsholders, grew by 11.4% year-on-year to $595.2 million – also a result sum.