Jim Selby Elected to ASCAP Board as Publisher Member
BMG's Global Music Publishing President Jim Selby was elected to the ASCAP Board of Directors, announced by ASCAP President Paul Williams on September 24.
Jim Selby, President of Global Music Publishing at BMG, was elected to the ASCAP Board of Directors as a publisher member. ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams announced the election on Thursday, September 24.
Paul Williams highlighted Selby's expertise in addressing current industry pressures. "The ASCAP Board cares deeply about making decisions that are in the best interests of the membership as a whole," Williams said. He noted Selby's ability to tackle complex issues, from artificial intelligence to licensing pressures.
Background on Selby’s Leadership
Jim Selby assumed the role of President, Global Music Publishing at BMG following the completion of the Concord and BMG combination on September 1. He played a central leadership role in bringing together the two companies' global publishing businesses.
During the merger, Selby helped shape the strategy, organizational structure, and leadership model for the combined organization across North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. Prior to this, he served as chief publishing officer of Concord, where he oversaw global publishing operations and strategy.
Selby ascended to that role after holding several other senior leadership positions at Concord, including general manager of record labels, chief operating officer and chief revenue officer. Earlier in his career, he served as CEO and General Manager of Naxos of America. His experience spans creative strategy, business operations, technology and commercial development.
In his current role at BMG, Selby is responsible for leading the next phase of the company’s publishing strategy. He focuses on expanding the global publishing roster and catalog, developing opportunities for songwriters and composers, and growing BMG's presence in key markets.
Selby’s Industry Involvement
Selby's board election follows extensive involvement in other music industry organizations. He currently sits on the NMPA Executive Board and the CMRRA CPC board. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM).
On these boards, Selby helps shape policy and strategy on issues impacting music publishers and songwriters worldwide.
About ASCAP
ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, is a member-governed performing rights organization founded in 1914. It is the only US PRO with a board elected by its songwriter, composer and publisher membership.
The organization represents more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. It licenses a repertory of over 20 million musical works.
Recent financial performance shows significant scale. The society reported record revenues of $1.945 billion in 2025 and distributed a record $1.759 billion in royalties to its members that same year. ASCAP returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar collected to members as royalties, maintaining the lowest overhead rate of any US PRO.
Selby will serve as a publisher member on the ASCAP Board, contributing to advocacy for music creators and publishers amid evolving market challenges.
