In a stride towards increased member participation and transparency, AGICOA is pleased to announce the successful outcome of the appointment process for its new Administrative Board. This positive development follows the implementation of AGICOA’s updated appointment procedure in May 2023.
A Member-Driven Evolution
While members have always played a pivotal role through voting, the recent change signifies an embrace of an electronic and anticipated approach. The appointment process prioritized security, confidentiality, and trustworthiness. AGICOA ensured this by not only engaging a carefully chosen provider but also enlisting auditors to conduct an independent review of the procedure.
The electronic appointment process facilitated members in seamlessly affirming eight members appointed to the designated seats, electing three members for the open seats, and confirming principal and substitute delegates for the observer seat. This shift to an online platform provided members with the convenience of participating from various locations.
The invitation for members to engage in this crucial process was disseminated on November 14th, 2023. Members were given a two-week window to actively participate, allowing them to make their voices heard through a simple click of a button.
Culmination at the General Assembly
The inclusive process culminated at the AGICOA General Assembly meeting on December 12th, 2023, where the results were officially announced and validated. This marked a significant milestone for AGICOA.
Meet the New Administrative Board Members
We take great pleasure in introducing the new members who will serve on the Administrative Board for the next three years. They bring a wealth of expertise and dedication to their roles, ensuring AGICOA continues to thrive and fulfill its mission.
Following their appointment, the new Administrative Board members convened to elect the President, Vice-Presidents, and Treasurer.
- For the Designated Seats
COMPACT
Mr. Mark Rowland
Mark has been in the television industry for 45 years, with Compact for 10 years and 8 years as MD. Mark has been responsible for the restructure of the business, growing its business by developing broadcast and music data services and the acquisition of On Music Ltd. Mark has the day-to-day responsibilities for strategy, business operations, revenue growth alongside his senior management team.
EGEDA
Mr. Miguel Angel Benzal Medina
Miguel Angel Benzal Medina is the CEO of the EnEntidad de Gestión de Derechos de los Productores Audiovisuales (EGEDA) since 1992.
He is also the founder and CEO of CREA SGR, a mutual guarantee financial company established in 2005, of which EGEDA is a protective partner together with the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
In addition to being an AGICOA Board Member, he is Member of the Board of the Ibero-American Agency for the ISAN Registry – the international standard identification number for audiovisual works – as well.
Moreover, he is the creator and CEO of the Platino Awards for Ibero-American cinema, Platino Industria marketplace and Platino Educa educational platform.
FRF
Ms. Christine Larnfelt
Christine joined FRF, the Swedish collective management organization form film- and TV-Producers, as general secretary in 2011. Prior to this she worked in film production as well as post production for about 15 years.
GEDIPE
Mr. António Paulo Santos
António Paulo Santos, is a senior lawyer with great experience in litigation and Copyright; He was attributed the quality of Specialist in Intellectual Property Law by the Portuguese Bar Association on February 4, 2011; He is currently finishing his Doctorate in Communication Sciences; Former Inspector of the Judicial Police, graduated from the High Institute of Judicial Police and Criminal Sciences; Coordinator of the national program to fight against audio-visual piracy, developed by FEVIP for the video, film and videogame industry and for cable television operators and pay television channels. General Manager of GEDIPE (Collective Management of Audio-visual Producers Rights) and Chairman of MAPINET (Civic Anti-Piracy on the Internet Movement); Member of the Board of Directors of AGECOP – Association for the Management of Private Copy.
António Paulo Santos is frequently consulted for ongoing legislative processes of transposition of EU Directives in the fields of Intellectual Property, Copyright and Related Rights. He integrated the EU Expert Group on the project “Strengthening the IPR enforcement of EU industry and SMEs”; As part of the cooperation programme between the Portuguese Government and WIPO, he is also responsible for training on Copyright to senior officials in the government departments of Guinea, Cape Verde, and Angola, among others (the so-called Lusophony Community).
GWFF
Mr. Ronald Frohne
In 1975 Ronald Frohne was admitted to the German Bar and joined the international law firm Nörr, Stiefenhofer & Lutz in 1977, where he became a partner in 1980. Resident in the Berlin and Munich offices of the law firm, he specialized in national and international corporate and media law. In 1991 Frohne was appointed Deputy Chairman at the East German radio and television broadcasting stations. He held this post until the end of 1992. Since March 1997 Frohne has taught media law as an honorary professor at the Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen „Konrad Wolf“ in Potsdam-Babelsberg. He presently resides in New York City as a partner at Nörr’s N.Y. office. He sits on the board of several national and international companies and on the board of Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative.
MPA
Ms. Jane Saunders
Jane Saunders is the Managing Director and Senior Vice President, Rights Management Policy, for the Motion Picture Association. She is an expert in collective and compulsory licensing systems worldwide as well as the functioning and procedures of collective management organizations, with over 25 years of experience in this area. Jane leads the MPA’s Rights Management department and has responsibility for the U.S. and Canadian compulsory retransmission royalty programs of MPA and the Copyright Collective of Canada, as well as for engagement with and outreach to collective management organizations worldwide.
ZAPA
Ms. Sylwia Biaduń
Deputy Director of the collective rights management organization ZAPA since 2008.
Substantial experience in copyright law and audiovisual rights management. Multiple experiences at collections, distributions, rightsholders relations, legal and public affairs within Polish Filmmakers Association and in partnership with international copyright protection bodies.
Graduated in sociology and postgraduated in intellectual property law.
Skills: film authors & producers rights; contracts negotiations; business analysis and research.
560Media
Mr. John O’Sullivan
John is the founder and CEO of London based 560 Media Rights.
John is a seasoned professional in the management of royalty collections with a career spanning 40 years, 30 of which have been focused on the audio-visual rights sector. John has played a pivotal role in overseeing the collection of royalties for 500+ global companies throughout his career. John’s passion for service drives him to deliver results and is constantly exploring new technologies to drive revenues for his customers.
- For the Open Seats
IFTA
Ms. Jean M. Prewitt
Jean M. Prewitt is President and CEO of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA®), the global trade association of independent distributors and producers of motion picture and television programming with Members in 20 countries and the producer of the American Film Market®. Ms. Prewitt has represented IFTA Collections at Agicoa since 2010.
PACT
Mr. Max Rumney
Max Rumney is Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Business Affairs for the UK Producer Association, Pact.
He has been an Administrative Board member of AGICOA for over 8 years and also serves as the Treasurer of the organisation. Most recently, he has represented AGICOA on the board of AVLA, which is the collection society that AGICOA and other stakeholders are establishing in the UK to collect remuneration for rights holders from hotels.
Max is also a member of the UK Government’s Strategic Trade advisory group representing the Creative Industries. He is a board member of FIAPF, the international body for producer associations. In 2021 he was awarded a Royal Television Society prize for service to the industry.
He also plays cricket badly.
AGICOA NORGE
Mr. Tom G. Eilertsen
Tom G. Eilertsen has been AGICOA’s representative in Norway since 1987 when AGICOA Norge was set up. Since 2018 he was the substitute to John M. Jacobsen at the Administrative Board of Agicoa. As head of the Norwegian Film- and TV-producers Association for several years, he worked closely with the producers on legal and strategic issues, negotiating industry terms and conditions in addition to lobbying towards national and European authorities in the audiovisual field.
He has been a lawyer at Bull & Co Law firm for many years, assisting local and international producers on a hands-on basis in both legal and business affairs, clearing rights and negotiating production contracts. He was a board member in NORWACO for a long period and is elected for several other positions in the Norwegian film- and TV industry.
He teaches copyright law at universities, colleges and the Norwegian Film School.
- For the Observer Seat
FIAPF
Mr. Börje Hansson – Principal Delegate
Börje Hansson is one of the most established producers in Sweden. He has produced over 100 feature films and TV dramas since the early 1980´s, including films by internationally acclaimed directors like Lasse Hallström, Bille August and Nils Gaup and music videos for Swedish super group ABBA.
He founded FilmLance International in 1988, became Head of Drama for Metronome Film- & Television in 2005 and was Head of Production at Svensk Filmindustri (SF) between 2008-2012. As from 2012 he is running his production company Bright Moving Pictures, which is part of Scandinavian Content Group.
Börje Hansson chaired the Swedish Film Producers Association 1999-2004 and today he is First Vice-President of FIAPF, the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.
- President – Chris Marcich
Chris was appointed CEO of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC) on 1 May 2019. The primary mission of HAVC is to support and promote the Croatian audiovisual sector. This also includes legislation, international cooperation, and supporting advocacy at the EU level. HAVC is an independent agency working under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and Media.
In December 2023 Chris was elected President of EFAD, the association of European film agencies of which HAVC is a member, alongside 36 other European countries.
Chris joined the MPA in 1995. From 1995 through 2014 he served as President in charge of MPA’s regional office for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The office’s principal areas of activity include work on legislative and regulatory issues related to the media sector at the European and national levels.
Chris spent sixteen years working in the U.S. Government on international trade issues as a negotiator and shaping U.S. trade policy. When he left the Government in 1995, he was the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe, responsible for trade relations with the region. Prior to that, Chris was appointed to the newly created position of Assistant US Trade Representative for Trade and Environment, pioneering efforts to integrate health and environmental principles with those of international commerce.
Chris holds Croatian and U.S. citizenships. He holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University, speaks English and Croatian, and has working knowledge of French, Italian and Spanish.
- Vice-President – Ronald Frohne
- Vice-President and Treasurer – Max Rumney