MUMBAI: Sony Music Entertainment president India & Middle East Shridhar Subramaniam has been unanimously elected as the chairman of Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) the by board of directors representing Saregama, Universal, Tips, Venus and Aditya Music.

Venus Worldwide Entertainment Private Limited chairman Ganesh Jain, who presided over PPL during one of the four most challenging years of the organisation.

Jain said, “It gives me great pleasure to pass on the baton to a stalwart in the music industry and I believe Shridhar with his unique ability and experience will steer the industry successfully into the next phase of expansion.”

“These are exciting times. The industry has great opportunities as well as challenges ahead and with the help of the Board and Management, I hope to bring a sense of optimism and inclusiveness to PPL and the industry and I am confident that we will collectively build the foundations for a strong future,” added Subramaniam. 

Universal Music Group South Asia managing director Devraj Sanyal, Tips Industries managing director Kumar Taurani, Saregama India managing director Vikram Mehra and Aditya Music chairman Umesh Gupta expressed their support to Subramaniam.

President of Honour V.J. Lazarus, who spent the last 10 years at PPL will be concluding his long innings with the association in March 2016. Lazarus has a experience of 45 years in the industry, the first 35 as Universal Music Group India managing director and later chairman.

Lazarus said, “I will dedicate these final six months of my tenure to facilitate and support chairman Shridhar Subramaniam, the PPL Board and the Management through this transition.”

PPL was incorporated in 1941 and is the apex-licensing arm of the Indian music industry and administers Public Performance and Broadcasting rights on behalf of over 200 members, which include the leading music companies like Saregama, Sony, Universal, Tips, Venues, Aditya Music, Times Music, Eros and Music Today amongst others.