Media partner PSNEurope to support Studio of the Year prize for the fifth outing of the annual event, writes Dave Robinson
THE MPG has opened the nominations for the fifth Music Producers Guild Awards, which will be held once again at the Café de Paris in London on 13 February 2013. Since its 2009 launch, the MPG Awards has become a must-attend occasion for the professional recording industry. Guests last year included
(L-R): Marcel van Limbeek, Crispin Murray and Dave Robinson at last year’s event
Laura Marling, Hazel O’Connor and Mark Ronson. Nominations will be open until 5 October 2012 and, as in previous years, the winner of the MPG Producer of the Year category will automatically win a BRIT Award for Best Producer. “Over the past four years the MPG Awards have shone a very bright spotlight on the vital role UK producers’ play in the success of the music industry,” says chairman Steve Levine. “This is exemplified by the achievements of the 12 individuals who have been shortlisted for the MPG’s Producer of the Year Award since 2009. Between them, these producers have been responsible for 100 top 10 UK albums and 50 top 10 UK singles, while the four winners have produced a total of 17 international artists and 32 UK artists.” For its 2013 edition the MPG is introducing a brand new gong – the A&R Award – which will reward an executive who has been a genuine champion of the creative process across one or more projects in the past year. A further change is the championing for the first time
of the Studio of the Year award by PSNEurope. Along with sister titles Music Week and Audio Pro International, PSNEurope is also a media partner for this year’s awards. The 2012 Studio of the Year
Award was won by Eastcote Studios in West London. In response to feedback
from the recording industry, the entry criterion has changed so that studios can easily highlight their facilities and the great work they have been doing. Submissions will follow a simple format that includes a 300-word summary about each studio, up to five pictures and a minimum of two testimonials.
Studios will also have the chance to add links to more pictures, press, showreels, etc – and they can submit their entire entry online via the MPG Awards website so there is no need to spend time putting together a presentation or creating an electronic press kit. Voting for this award will be split 50/50 between MPG Full Members and the readership of PSNEurope. The MPG and PSNEurope suggest all those who wish to be considered to get online at www.mpgawards.com and put names forward. Nominating a worthwhile recording professional is easy – all it involves is filling in a very simple online form. There is also no bar on nominating yourself and the Music Producers Guild is actively encouraging producers and engineers to do this. n