The MLC Expands Ambassador Programs to Increase Educational Outreach

NASHVILLE, TN – The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has launched a new Student
Ambassador program to complement its existing Educator Ambassador program. These programs allow
qualified participants to earn an official designation, “MLC Ambassador,” by committing to share
information about The MLC with their students or peers.
Building on The MLC’s ongoing outreach and education initiatives, such as its toolkit for educators, the
Ambassador programs provide educators and college students with a framework to certify their
expertise and educate others about The MLC, the benefits of MLC membership, and digital mechanicals.
Approved Ambassadors gain access to digital resources, virtual and in-person events and training, and
private online communities designed to support further learning and professional development. This is a
voluntary program, and there are no geographic requirements or limitations or cost to participate.
The MLC Educator Ambassador program launched in the fall of 2021 and provides academic educators
the opportunity to earn the designation “MLC Educator Ambassador” through an assessment of their
knowledge about The MLC and commitment to continued dissemination of information about The MLC
within their academic institution. The program is open to educators who teach courses in high schools,
colleges, universities, and law schools. “Our MLC Educator Ambassador program provides a great
opportunity for us to engage with instructors who teach about the music business, copyright, or
licensing, and for instructors to demonstrate to their academic institutions that they have recognized
expertise on the topic of digital mechanical licensing,” explains The MLC’s Head of Educational
Partnerships Serona Elton, a long-time university professor.
The new MLC Student Ambassador program is open to all students currently enrolled in college or
university classes. Student Ambassadors are required to demonstrate knowledge of what The MLC is
and commit to spreading the word about The MLC to songwriters, composers, and lyricists in their local
communities and on social media. As Ambassadors, they will support their musical peers, help them sign
up for MLC membership, and get their songs registered while gaining valuable hands-on music business
experience.
“MLC Student Ambassadors are going to help us reach songwriters and composers in local communities
all over the United States, especially those who are studying music in school,” Elton notes. “Student
Ambassadors themselves will gain professional music business experience by having repeated

discussions regarding mechanical licensing and royalties and publishing administration. There is no
better way to demonstrate knowledge of a topic than showing that you can teach it to someone else.”
This community-based network supports The MLC’s mission to educate songwriters at every level.
“Education plays a huge role in improving the accuracy of the data our industry relies on,” says The
MLC’s CEO Kris Ahrend. “Creating a network of advocates and experts across the country who are
knowledgeable about how The MLC works will help us educate many more creators about their rights
and hopefully encourage more of them to connect with The MLC so they can receive the mechanical
royalties they are owed.”
For more information on all of The MLC educational partnership programs, visit
https://www.themlc.com/educational-partnerships.

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About The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC)
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) was designated by the U.S. Register of Copyrights in July
2019 pursuant to the Music Modernization Act of 2018. The MLC is responsible for administering the
new blanket compulsory license for the use of musical works by digital music services. As of January
2021, mechanical royalties from streaming in the U.S. will be processed and paid out by The MLC at no
cost to songwriters or music publishers.
The MLC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of songwriters and representatives of music
publishers. For more background on The MLC and its Board and Committee members, go to
www.TheMLC.com.