New Rules For Artist Managers Launched At BIGSOUND

A new set of guidelines that will apply to members of the Association Of Artist Managers  from July 2015 has been launched at BIGSOUND today.

Covering conflicts of interest, pay rates and the existence of a written agreement between artist and manager, the latter a particularly debated topic amongst the industry, the code was launched at a panel that included managers Greg Carey (The Rubens, Urthboy), Jodie Regan (Spinning Top), Rick Chazan (the church, The Boat People), Leanne de Souza (Thelma Plum, The Medics) and the church frontman Steve Kilbey.

The code, which is up for industry consultation until its implementation date, aims to increase the professionalism and ethical standards of artist managers in Australia.

The code in full below:

Code of Conduct

The Members of the AAM will aspire, at all times and to the best of their ability to:

1. Devote sufficient time to fulfill the agreed responsibilities of management in the interests of the artists as both parties understand them;
2. Possess and obtain the knowledge and skills to carry out the required duties of management as agreed and understood with the artists they represent;
3. Communicate and negotiate with the artist their responsibilities, obligations, duties and remuneration as a manager of the artist and have those preferably notated in a written agreement;
4. Seek support where required and commit to expanding their knowledge base and skills to assist in representing the artist’s career with diligence in all phases of the artist’s career;
5. Operate and conduct their own management business and the artist’s business in a professional, transparent, accountable & ethical manner;
6. Ensure relevant financial and legal matters are communicated to the artist and where relevant refer the artist to an independent, third party advisor specializing in such financial and legal matters;
7. Uphold client confidentiality, ensuring appropriate use of information whilst exercising diligence and duty of care;
8. Declare and fully disclose to an artist any conflict of interest whether it is actual, perceived or potential, including any income or other consideration earned by the manager directly or indirectly in conjunction with their artists’ performance or services.
9. Ensure the commission rate agreed with the artist is in line with standard industry norms.
10. Be aware of and operate within the parameters of any relevant State and Federal legislative requirements.
11. Be culturally aware and act respectfully toward all the nationalities, religious, gender and ethnic groups.