Michael Worden
Summary
Experienced music industry professional with expertise in music licensing, production workflows, and team leadership. Proven success in optimizing workflows, managing large-scale music projects, and bridging creative and business functions to drive innovation. Adept at leading teams of composers, producers, and business strategists to deliver worldclass music experiences. Passionate about fostering a collaborative creative ecosystem that aligns with business strategy and ensures high-quality music production. Creative Music Publishing Manager known for high productivity and efficient completion of tasks. Specialize in copyright management, contract negotiation, and music administration. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, using these skills to achieve objectives and manage projects seamlessly.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, MUSIC INDUSTRY
ROWAN UNIVERSITY
01.2024 - Current
- Designed and implemented curriculum for Music Publishing course
- Facilitated experiential learning through real-world case studies, guest lectures, and industry partnerships, providing students with practical insights into the complexities of Music Publishing
- Fostered a collaborative learning environment by encouraging student engagement in group projects, simulations, and interactive workshops focused on artist management scenarios
- Stayed abreast of industry advancements and emerging technologies in Music Publishing, infusing course content with relevant updates and innovations to enhance student-learning experiences
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, MUSIC BUSINESS
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
01.2023 - Current
- Designed and implemented curriculum for Artist Management & Touring course, integrating industry best practices and contemporary trends
- Mentored students in developing comprehensive artist management plans, including strategic career development, tour planning, budgeting, and marketing strategies
- Fostered a collaborative learning environment by encouraging student engagement in group projects, simulations, and interactive workshops focused on artist management scenarios
MUSIC SUPERVISOR/COMPOSER
CLEAR MUSIC
01.2014 - Current
- Music Supervision & Clearance: Managed music supervision for film, theatre, and podcasts, handling synchronization and master clearance, coordinating recording sessions, and negotiating fees
- Films/Podcast include Free Lunch Express, Stolen Dress Entertainment Podcast Network, Comedy on Vinyl
- Royalty Management & Budgeting: Managed royalty distribution and financial budgeting for music supervision projects, ensuring accurate allocation of funds for original and licensed music
- Negotiated fees and managed financial aspects of music licensing, from initial contract negotiation through to final payment
- Financial Compliance & Reporting: Supervised the financial aspects of music supervision projects, ensuring compliance with budgetary constraints and contractual obligations
- Provided financial reports to stakeholders, detailing royalty distributions, budget performance, and financial forecasts for ongoing and upcoming projects
MANAGER, BUSINESS AFFAIRS
ALFRED MUSIC/MAKEMUSIC
01.2010 - 01.2025
- Exclusive Licensing Administration and Music Clearance: Managed the administration of licensing agreements for a diverse and prestigious set of music catalogs
- Ensured exclusive category licensing were meticulously handled, overseeing the clearance and administration of rights for over 1,000 publications and products
- ABKCO, Warner-Chappell, Warner Bros
- Discovery, Round Hill, EMI Mills, EMI Feist
- Song/product clearance for over 1K publications and products; copyright research, split confirmation and metadata confirmation; Titles/artists include: Hamilton, A Star Is Born, La La Land, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Green Day, Muse, Gershwin, Cole Porter, John Williams, 21 Pilots, Harry Chapin, Sam Cooke, Joni Mitchell, Diane Warren, Carrie Underwood, Bruce Springsteen
- Licensing & Rights Management: Reviewed, negotiated, and secured print mechanical, synchronization, and other publishing licenses for the exploitation of musical compositions
- Supported the coordination of licensing agreements for live performance rights, providing valuable assistance in securing permissions for public performances in various venues and events
- Spearheaded a transformative 32.25% surge in licensing revenue over five years by introducing and optimizing dynamic pricing models.; Leveraged advanced data analytics to assess and forecast market trends, enabling precise and effective pricing strategies that bolstered both revenue streams and competitive market positioning
- Production and Creative Management: Led cross-functional teams of composers, producers, and licensing professionals to develop scalable music production pipelines, ensuring alignment between creative and operational goals
- Developed and optimized workflows for licensing, sync, and publishing initiatives, enhancing team efficiency and productivity
- Established and maintained best practices for music production, ensuring consistency in quality and creativity
- Financial Compliance & Royalty Management: Performed detailed financial analyses, including fund calculations for Business Affairs and recoupment analysis for third-party licensees.; Played a key role in the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes by responding to information requests from Editorial, Finance, and Accounting departments.; Oversaw royalty calculations and the distribution process, ensuring timely and accurate payments to rights holders while developing streamlined processes to improve royalty accounting and reporting.; Partnered with A&R, Royalties, Finance, and Marketing teams to implement and execute a global licensing strategy aimed at unlocking development opportunities across administered music catalogs; Assisted with year-over-year (YoY) and quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) forecasting, providing critical insights and facilitating regular business updates to clients and third-party licensees
- Intellectual Property Enforcement and Metadata Management: Managed the integrity and accuracy of the internal royalty database, overseeing IP and metadata management, and ensuring all assets are properly registered with performing rights organizations (PROs) and Harry Fox Agency (HFA)
- Handled the registration and asset management for ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, MLC, and other rights organizations, ensuring all proprietary data was current and in full compliance with industry standards
- Monitored and enforced intellectual property rights by identifying unauthorized use of company-owned music assets
- Issued DMCA takedown notices, Cease, and Desist letters to infringing parties, ensuring swift action against illegal distribution and use of copyrighted material, thereby protecting the company's assets and maintaining legal compliance
- Contract Management & Negotiation: Structured, negotiated, and drafted a wide range of music-related agreements, including those for composers, arrangers, songwriters, co-publishers, artists, and producers
- Managed non-disclosure agreements, sales & purchasing agreements, and consulting agreements, ensuring all contracts were compliant and in the best interest of the company
Education
M.B.A. -
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF ARTS - MUSIC INDUSTRY
ONEONTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Skills
- Music Operations & Production Management
- Team Leadership & Creative Mentorship
- Workflow Optimization & Strategic Planning
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Licensing, Rights Management & IP Strategy
- Budget & Resource Allocation
- Performance Metrics & Reporting
- Digital Media, Interactive & Gaming Music Strategies
Websites
Summary
Experienced music industry executive with expertise in music operations, production workflows, and team leadership. Proven success in optimizing workflows, managing large-scale music projects, and bridging creative and business functions to drive innovation. Adept at leading teams of composers, producers, and business strategists to deliver world-class music experiences. Passionate about fostering a collaborative creative ecosystem that aligns with business strategy and ensures high-quality music production., Music Operations & Production Management, Team Leadership & Creative Mentorship, Workflow Optimization & Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Licensing, Rights Management & IP Strategy, Budget & Resource Allocation, Performance Metrics & Reporting, Digital Media, Interactive & Gaming Music Strategies
Timeline
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, MUSIC INDUSTRY
ROWAN UNIVERSITY
01.2024 - Current
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, MUSIC BUSINESS
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
01.2023 - Current
MUSIC SUPERVISOR/COMPOSER
CLEAR MUSIC
01.2014 - Current
MANAGER, BUSINESS AFFAIRS
ALFRED MUSIC/MAKEMUSIC
01.2010 - 01.2025
M.B.A. -
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF ARTS - MUSIC INDUSTRY
ONEONTA STATE UNIVERSITY
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