BMI has announced that longtime political strategist Michael Collins is joining the company as Vice President, Government Relations, effective November 5. Collins will be based in Washington, DC, and report to BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill. Collins joins BMI from Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas, one of Washington, DC’s premier lobbying firms, where he helped Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and coalitions navigate both chambers of Congress and the Executive Branch. Before that, Collins spent over 15 years working on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), holding a number of positions within the Senator’s office.
“While we have just seen historic music legislation signed into law, BMI’s efforts to advocate for the rights of its creators and protect the value of their copyrights remain paramount,” said O’Neill. “We are excited to have a seasoned strategist like Michael leading the charge on our affiliates’ behalf. Michael’s experience and reputation within the industry will serve BMI well as we continue to champion the rights of our songwriters, composers and publishers and ensure that the art of songwriting remains a viable profession for many years to come.”
