PPL Orchestrates Data Management Initiative with DataFlux Technology

Release date: 8/4/2009

DataFlux helps UK-based music licensing company verify and validate millions of data records from disparate sources

LONDON (August 4, 2009) — PPL, the UK music licensing company working on behalf of record companies and performers, and DataFlux, a leading provider of data quality and data integration solutions, today announced that industry-leading DataFlux technology will power PPL’s enterprise data management initiative. PPL will use the award-winning DataFlux dfPower Studio and DataFlux Integration Server to manage the quality and reliability of ever-increasing data volumes to meet the business needs of its members and other segments on the music industry it serves.

“This decision followed a rigorous selection process involving the in-depth assessment of a number of potential data quality solutions,” said Peter Leathem, executive director, PPL. “Historically PPL has always built its own tools to support its data management requirements. However, given the sheer growth of data and the global needs of our members, we looked at best-of-breed products on the market that could offer additional areas of functionality that provide long-term benefits to PPL and its constituents. DataFlux technology impressed us with its ease of use, especially in configuring core components and customizing all matching and duplicate consolidation. They also offer us an advanced way to store and manage data that meets multiple and specific needs across our overall industry."

The data management program is designed to help PPL verify and validate more than 30 million data records it receives each year to more accurately distribute licensing revenues to 39,500 performers and 3,400 record company members. DataFlux technology will also help PPL match recorded music data to airplay information received from the company's licensees. This will allow PPL to more accurately license and remit payment to its members, including the 42 overseas music licensing companies with whom PPL has reciprocal agreements representing an additional 29,000 performers and 3,400 record companies.

Colin Rickard, managing director, EMEA, DataFlux commented, “DataFlux technology is ideally suited to complex data management scenarios that involve the coordination and upkeep of many disparate sources. By extending and enhancing their data management capabilities, PPL can significantly increase both its internal operating productivity and deliver excellence and efficiency in customer interaction.”

About PPL
PPL is the London-based music licensing company which licenses recorded music on behalf of 3,400 record companies and 39,500 performers in the UK. In addition, the company has 42 bilateral agreements with similar organizations around the world representing a further 3,400 record companies and 29,000 performers.

PPL collects domestic and international revenues from UK television and radio, digital and online media as well as public performance income. The company does not retain any profit for itself. The costs of collecting, processing and distributing the license fees are taken from the gross revenues that the company collects. Cost-to-revenue ratio has remained at the 2007 levels of 14.6% despite increasing investment in technology. All these revenues are distributed and paid to PPL's respective record company and performer members. These include featured artists as well as session musicians, ranging from orchestral players to percussionists and to singers. There is no joining fee or administration charge and the company actively seeks members.

PPL’s role and remit increases year on year given the increasing amount of data. For example the company receives details electronically on a weekly basis for, on average, 6,500 new recordings. Once this data has been fed into its own databases, it is then passed on to PRS for Music for it to administer the relevant copying rights on behalf of the songwriters, composers and publishers. PPL also provides that data on to the Official Charts Company for the purpose of the charts, and also to the British Phonographic Industry and International Federation of Phonographic Industry for anti-piracy purposes. PPL’s other areas of operations include VPL, PPL Repertoire Database and PPL Video Store.