Australian music tech company Harvest Media announces UK head

Australian-owned Harvest Media has appointed Simon James as head of its new UK office.

With an extensive background in music rights organisations, production music, and music publishing, James will take the role to support Harvest Media’s clients and expand its client base in the UK, Europe and North America.

Harvest Media’s cloud-based technology allows catalogue owners and music libraries to manage and deliver their content for sync uses across the world, and lets them focus on business development and networking.

“We’ve long operated globally, but we’re delighted to have a seasoned expert in these markets join our team and work to establish a meaningful presence in the region,” Harvest Media CEO Angus Hayes said, who founded the company in 2008 with fellow tech entrepreneurs Roland Hélène and Hamish Diver.

“Simon knows our business inside and out and will be instrumental in supporting current clients as they grow, and in finding new opportunities to connect production libraries and music catalogue holders with our technology.”

James most recently headed up production music at UK rights organizations PRS and MCPS.

He worked for publishers ATV/Bruton, BMG/Zomba and EMI Music Publishing where he ran the online search interface PLAY production music platform.

“I’ve supported the Harvest Media ethos from the beginning so representing them now is a logical step,” James said.

“Our community is tight but always growing, so this role draws on my experience to assist established friends and clients, as well as to help guide start-ups and share the disciplines required to grow a successful production music business.

“This initial period has of course been a virtual experience, but I am very much looking forward to hitting the road again soon to meet clients and partners in the real world.”

James’ hire is part of Harvest Media’s expansion plans.

“We already serve clients around the globe. Now we’re getting boots on the ground to boost our relationships and better serve rights holders and publishers,” Hayes said.