Elena Segal to Receive Prestigious Ivors Academy Honour: Elena Segal, a distinguished figure in the music industry, is set to receive an Ivors Academy Honour. This award is in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the UK music industry. Ivors Academy Honours are given to those who not only champion songwriters and composers but also drive positive change within the music industry.
Elena Segal’s career in music began in 2001 at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, where she focused on entertainment litigation, including copyright and trademark cases specific to the music industry. In 2006, she joined iTunes and played a crucial role in the platform’s expansion worldwide. More recently, Segal managed the licensing of all music publishing rights outside the United States for the launch of Apple Music in over 100 countries. She also contributed significantly to the Apple Music Festival in London, which featured performances from some of the world’s most famous artists.
In her current role as Apple’s Global Senior Director of Music Publishing, Segal oversees all aspects of Apple’s relationships with songwriters, music publishers, and other licensors of rights in compositions, covering commercial, strategic, operational, and creative areas.
The Ivors Academy Honours revive the tradition of the Gold Badge Awards, established in 1974, to acknowledge similar contributions. Notable past recipients include Joan Armatrading CBE, Janice Long, Peter Gabriel, and Sir Michael Eavis, among others.
Elena Segal joins the inaugural recipients of this prestigious award, including Kevin Brennan MP, Carla Marie Williams, Crispin Hunt, and the late Rupert Hine. The Honour will be presented to her at a private ceremony in London this coming May, celebrating her pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the music industry.
Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy said, “Elena is one of the most accomplished and respected music executives in the UK. Throughout her career Elena has consistently championed the value of songwriters and music publishing. Notably, she has been at the forefront of global music licensing as technology transformed the industry. For her contributions to the music industry, Elena truly deserves this Honour.”
