I chose to do my apprenticeship at PPL as I’d wanted to work in the music industry for a long time, but wasn’t sure what sector I wanted to work in or how to get my foot in the quite firmly closed door. I was not a school leaver when I started, I had completed my A-levels, studied fashion for a year and worked in retail for a further three years.
Royalties were not something I had considered, so I was going in a little blind. Luckily for me, my desire to learn and passion for music won PPL over and they saw fit to hire me as their shiny new apprentice.
It was pretty daunting at first, I’d spend four days a week in the workplace alongside real life grown-ups, and then one day in a hot room with sweaty teenagers, an experience otherwise known as ‘college’.
We were given a variety of projects and coursework. We were designated a mentor, mine came in the shape of an ex-raver/punk, also known as Dave Newton of Big Creative Education.
Dave’s support and access to his musical mind palace - alongside my PPL line managers - were incredibly helpful. I never felt under too much pressure and could learn and succeed at my own pace.
My course covered all aspects of the industry, from studying contracts to organising events and producing promotional material. I learnt a substantial amount about the business in a short amount of time, so there was a lot to take in.
It’s fair to say I know quite a lot more about copyright and royalties than I did before - if I didn’t, there’d be something to worry about!
You learn a lot working somewhere like PPL as we’re involved in such an important part of the industry, with income from the physical product becoming less financially viable for labels and artists alike, the money from broadcast and public performance airplay is becoming more prominent.
After completing my apprenticeship, I was hired full-time by PPL in the music reporting team as a reporting assistant.
I’ve ascended the rungs of the music reporting ladder and have been given the title of music reporting data analyst.
Working in data was not something I ever thought I’d be doing, but I’m constantly learning and enjoying the challenges that come with the job. I’m happy to say I’m still working in the music industry!
Story By: Holly Hopwood
Music Reporting Data Analyst, PPL
