MUMBAI: Music rights management company Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) has appointed Ann Sweeney as SVP of Global Policy with effect from 18 February. She will be based in New York and will report to BMI President and CEO Mike O'Neill.

At BMI, Sweeney will look after the company’s relationship with the government. She will be working to protect the rights of BMI's songwriters, composers and music publishers at all levels of government around the globe.

She will be responsible for increasing the royalties collected on behalf of BMI's songwriters and composers. Sweeney will also maintain and manage BMI’s relation with other performing rights societies around the world.

She will take over international duty from Ron Solleveld, BMI's current SVP, International, from this July. This decision was made following Solleveld’s announcement that he will retire from BMI in September after nearly 13 years with the company. Both of them will work closely for smooth transition of responsibilities.

O'Neill said, “Throughout her career she has continued to innovate, embracing new technologies and platforms and ensuring that the words and music that power those platforms receive the fair value they deserve. She will be a tremendous advocate for BMI and the hundreds of thousands of songwriters, composers and publishers we represent around the world."

Prior to BMI, Sweeney was with Warner/Chappell Music, and held various roles in the company including at Warner Music. She holds her expertise in the global music publishing industry. Sweeney has served Sony/ATV Music Publishing for seven years and has worked with Sony Music Entertainment as well. She also served at Chrysalis Music and SBK Entertainment.