Sony Music Australia & New Zealand Chairman and CEO Denis Handlin, AM will be honoured with the 2009 Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services To Australian Music during the APRA Awards.
Denis Handlin started working in the music industry when he joined The Australian Record Company in Brisbane in 1970. The Australian Record Company became CBS then Sony.APRA CEO Brett Cottle said “Denis’ name has been synonymous with the success of some of Australia’s best loved acts over the past 25 years. His driving leadership and unstinting support of Australian music artists has helped shape our modern music landscape. A true advocate for Australian music, it is fitting that his influence is recognised in this way. On behalf of the APRA Board, we congratulate you”.
Under his watch, Denis Handlin has driven the careers of acts like Midnight Oil, Savage Garden, Men At Work, Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem, Pete Murray and Jessica Mauboy.
He also started The Sony Foundation that has raised more than $12 million for charity, including the recent Victorian bushfire appeal.
“I am truly humbled and honoured by this recognition from APRA. To be recognised by industry peers and in this case particularly from songwriters and music publishers, is very special indeed,” he said in a statement.
“I have the deepest respect and admiration for Ted Albert. He was one of the real founders of the modern Australian music industry and a great champion of songwriters and artists. I first met him when I was a very young MD in the 80s and he has always been a great influence on me.”
Denis was awarded the Order of Australia in 2005 for his services to the music industry.
The 2009 APRA Awards will be held on June 23rd at The Peninsula in Melbourne. The show will be filmed and broadcast on MAX on July 5th.
