Ed St John
Born and bred at the beginning of 1960's in Sydney, Australia, Ed St John started out as a contributing editor and writing a weekly music column for several popular Australian publications.
St John's contributions to the music and television industry have been vast and varied. With his posting to a senior managerial position at Sony Music Australia in 1993, Ed St John became responsible for the negotiations held of high percentage and profitable agreements with various Australian TV networks.
As Managing Director of BMG Australia and New Zealand in 2001 St John later guided BMG through a confident episode whereby a new business philosophy was cultured that focused on growth and increased profits incurring net revenue of $14.9 million in 2004.
Further along his path, in his era as CEO of Warner Music, Ed St John reshaped the company as the business was dramatically transformed from CD and DVD distribution trade to a digital industry.
On replacing Denis Handlin and becoming Chairman of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), St John declared his commitment to the organisation as a Board member and of its continuation to the development and success of Australian artists while addressing the key issues facing the Australian music industry.
In September 2010, under his Chairmanship of ARIA Awards, and by invitation of the National Film and Sound Archive, St John delivered the annual Thomas Rome Lecture. In his ardent appeal for more government aid to the contemporary music industry, he plead for the opportunity to offer prominent figures in the recorded sound industry in Australia, the chance to portray their feelings and notions on the issues that they are faced with in the business.
Ed St John also raised the fact that the funds flowing from commercial radio airplay is imbalanced with regards to the producers, artists and songwriters. Under his management, ARIA is taking responsibility for the instigation of a Supreme Court challenge to increase percentages.
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