It’s been a huge year for Australian music, with the industry’s power players being shuffled around as some festivals succeeded, some festivals failed, triple j‘s influence grew and Courtney Barnett conquered the universe.
With that in mind, the Australian Music Industry Directory (AMID) has announced its full ‘Power 50‘ for 2015, ranking the most powerful peeps in the Aussie music biz from 50 right through to this year’s all-powerful winner, triple j‘s Music Director Richard Kingsmill — who can now call himself The King even more than usual.
Speaking about his first-place ranking, Kingsmill told The Music, “triple j’s continuing success is due to a dynamic team of committed, passionate and clever individuals who work across triple j, Unearthed and Double J.
“I’m proud to be part of such a great bunch of inspiring and professional people. We’ve had a great year, celebrating 40 years of a truly unique radio station.”
Kingsmill has risen a solid eight spots since last year’s Power 50, and is now followed closely by Splendour In The Grass promoters Paul Piticco & Jessica Ducrou and Universal Music Group’s George Ash.
The 2015 Power 50 sees Courtney Barnett make her debut appearance on the list, coming in at an impressive ninth on the ladder after the success of her debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit. Other artists featured in the top 50 include John Butler, Nick Cave and Iggy Azalea.
Unified owner Jaddan Comerford has leapt seven spots this year, while Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah has fallen 14 spots to take the 21st spot.
Catch this year’s AMID Power 50 in full, below.
Watch: Courtney Barnett – Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go To The Party
AMID Power 50 2015 (Via The Music)
1. Richard Kingsmill (triple j – Music Director)
2. George Ash (Universal Music Group – President, Asia Pacific)
3. Paul Piticco & Jessica Ducrou (Splendour In The Grass – Promoters)
4. Michael Gudinski (Mushroom Group – Executive Chairman)
5. Denis Handlin (Sony Music – Chairman & CEO, Australia & New Zealand; President, Asia)
6. Michael Chugg (Chugg Entertainment – Executive Chairman)
7. Jaddan Comerford (Unified – Owner)
8. Nathan McLay & Chad Gillard (Future Classic – Founder & Managing Director/A&R)
9. Courtney Barnett (Artist)
10. Millie Millgate (Sounds Australia – Executive Producer)
11. Peter Noble (Bluesfest – Director)
12. Brett Murrihy (WME – Head Of Music Asia Pacific)
13. Colin Daniels (Inertia Group – CEO)
14. Nick O’Byrne (Look Out Kid – Owner)
15. Tony Harlow (Warner Music Australia – Managing Director)
16. Paul Dainty (Dainty Group – Executive Chairman)
17. Matt Gudinski (Mushroom Group – Executive Director)
18. Michael Coppel (Live Nation Australasia – CEO)
19. Stephen Halpin & Rodney Little (Groovin The Moo – Promoters)
20. Danny Rogers (Lunatic Entertainment – Owner)
21. AJ Maddah (Soundwave – Promoter)
22. Claire Collins (Bossy Music – Owner)
23. Tim Levinson (Elefant Traks – Managing Director)
24. Sebastian Chase (MGM Distribution – Owner)
25. Dan Rosen (ARIA & PPCA – CEO)
26. Mardi Caught (Warner Music Australia – General Manager, Frontline Labels)
27. Brett Cottle (ARPA | AMCOS – CEO)
28. John Wardle (National Live Music Office – Policy Director)
29. Susan Heymann (Chugg Entertainment – General Manager Of Touring)
30. Gregg Donovan/Stuart Macqueen (Wonderlick – Owners)
31. Matt Tanner/Jaime Gough – Native Tongue
32. John Butler – Artist
33. Brett Cottle – APRA AMCOS
34. Eric J Dubowsky – Producer
35. Matt Emsell – Wonder Management
36. Steve McPherson – Hillsong
37. Nick Cave – Artist
38. Johann Ponniah – I OH YOU
39. Liam Mazzucchelli – Boomtick
40. David Walsh/Brian Ritchie – MONA
41. Brad Mellen – Mellen Events
42. Mardi Caught – Atlantic Records
43. Ben Turnbull – Staple Group
44. Denise Foley – QMusic
45. Ian James – Mushroom Music Publishing
46. Iggy Azalea – Artist
47. Neil Ackland – Sound Alliance
48. Richard Moffat – Festival Programmer
49. Adrian Basso – Community Broadcasting Association Of Australia
50. Patrick Donovan – Music Victoria
