Kiwi named fourth on Aussie music power brokers list

5th July 2012

Street Press Australia along with theMusic.com.au, industry consultants and the Australasian Music Industry Directory have ranked the 50 most powerful people in the Australian music industry for the inaugural AMID Power 50 list. Criteria included an individual's ability to 'shape' scene, their involvement in industry initiatives, overall career accomplishments, economic impact and public profile.

Little surprise that it was the ever innovative veteran, Michael Gudinski of the Mushroom Group, who came out on top and was named as the most powerful person in the Australian music industry. Splendour In The Grass co-directors Paul Piticco and Jessica Ducrou rank second and promoter Michael Chugg third. Kiwi George Ash (pictured right), who has for the last two years had the rather large job of being Universal Music Group's Australasian President, impressively took out fourth spot on the list of 50.

Here's how his ranking is described:
George Ash – Universal Music Australia – President, Australasia
'George Ash’s public profile is more low-key than some other Aussie music executives, but his professional contribution is just as important. As the President, Australasia for Universal Music Australia, Ash drives what is still considered the biggest major label in the world (and will only increase the margin at the top if a certain deal goes through). One of his best moves has been acquiring and cementing indie labels such as Dew Process, Modular and Co-Operative under the Universal umbrella and given the label a strong footing outside of mega pop successes.'

A drummer who still plays a little, "…but you would never want to hear the output. I would not sign myself, even it was a good deal," Ash has been quietly working towards his top job in the Australasian record company scene for over 25 years. He has been with Universal since 1995 and held a variety of roles in key industry bodies within the NZ industry before heading to the bright lights of Australia in 2001. Also a board member of ARIA, he has previously held positions as Managing Director of Universal Music Australia and Universal Music NZ, as well as senior roles with MCA Geffen NZ and BMG here in NZ. Earlier on he also worked with Polygram manufacturing and in music retail.