The Music Publishers Association of Ireland (MPAI) have announced that Deke O'Brien has been elected as the organisation's third president – taking up the mantle from Nigel Elderton of Peermusic, who in turn followed founding member Michael O'Riordan.

MPAI is a membership-based trade association which represents the interests of the Irish music publishing community, and the songwriters and composers signed to those publishers, both at home and internationally.

O'Brien's history in the music industry stretches back to his days as a member of Ian Whitcomb & Bluesville – the first ever band comprising of Irish musicians to enter the US charts in 1965. He went on to perform with legendary outfits like Bees Mark Honey and Nightbus.

Deke O'Brien

He formed his first publishing company (Dark Fox Music) alongside current MPAI company secretary Johnny Lappin in 1975. That company published many of the top Irish acts of the day, such as The Atrix, The Rhythm Kings, and Stano, as well as the early music offerings of Tom Dunne, with his group The End, and Ronan Hardiman, who would go on to write the music for Lord Of The Dance. O'Brien and Lappin were also founding directors of the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) in 1988.

O'Brien's imprint Trax on Wax Music formed the copyright clearance company Adtrax, which became a driving force in the Irish advertising industry, and was responsible for the production of many popular TV and radio commercials.

“I would like to thank Nigel for all his hard work and leadership over the past three years," he says of his new appointment. "I look forward to working further with the MPAI Board to build on the progress made in establishing the MPAI as the authoritative voice of music publishers in Ireland.

"In the coming year we will be focusing on an increased offering of training and information for our membership and are committed to amplifying our members’ needs within the pro-copyright lobby in Ireland," he continues. "I am excited for what we can achieve for our industry and the songwriters we are privileged to represent."

MPAI is proud to announce the election of our 3rd President veteran musician & publisher Deke O’Brien. He takes over from the legendary @MusicmanUK1 Nigel Elderton who in turn followed our much loved founder member Michael O’Riordan. Tough acts to follow.

— MPAIreland (@MPAIreland) February 26, 2023