Karen hamilton
MUSIC PUBLISHING EXEC • COPYRIGHT LEADER • INDUSTRY ADVOCATE
Music Publishing Executive, Copyright Leader & Industry Advocate.
With over 30 years of experience spanning A&R, music publishing, copyright, royalties, and licensing, Karen Hamilton is one of the most trusted and influential figures in the Australian music business. A fierce advocate for songwriters and rights holders, Karen’s career has been defined by her unwavering dedication to protecting and empowering music creators.
She is currently the General Manager of 120 Publishing, the publishing arm of TMRW Music Group (formerly Ministry of Sound Australia). Under her leadership, 120 Publishing has grown into a dynamic, full-service publishing company representing some of Australia’s most exciting writers, topliners, and producers in the electronic and dance space. Karen has been instrumental in fostering domestic talent and facilitating international collaborations, creating sustainable, rights-focused careers for a new generation of songwriters.
Karen’s career began at AMCOS of which she is an ongoing Board Member, where she gained a foundational understanding of licensing and copyright that would become central to her professional ethos. From there, she held senior roles at MMA Music, Hello Mr Wilson, Mana Music, and Warner Chappell, before going on to manage recording and publishing for Savage Garden in close collaboration with legendary manager John Woodruff.
She later co-founded Rough Cut Music Publishing, a cutting-edge independent publisher that played a vital role in the rise of several breakthrough acts including Evermore, Kisschasy, Trial Kennedy, and The Butterfly Effect. Her A&R sensibility, business acumen, and fierce loyalty to her writers positioned her as a rare hybrid of creative nurturer and rights strategist.
Karen is a committed educator and policy voice in the music industry. She has delivered songwriter training and professional development programs nationwide through APRA AMCOS’s Rights & Royalties sessions, empowering creators with practical tools and critical knowledge about the value of their work.
A long-time board member of AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited), Karen has been instrumental in championing Music Recognition Technology across clubs and festivals—an initiative aimed at ensuring real-time, accurate tracking of music use and fair royalty distribution. Her contributions to metadata and performance tracking are helping set new standards for transparency and accountability in the digital age.
Whether behind the scenes advocating for legislative change or in the studio connecting producers with lyricists, Karen Hamilton remains a driving force in building a more equitable and sustainable music ecosystem.
Ask me for Mentoring About:
Step inside the engine room of the music industry with one of its most experienced and forward-thinking voices. From topline deals to global royalty strategies, Karen will offer insight into how publishing powers careers—and how artists can protect and grow their creative income. 📚 Copyright, Licensing & Royalties The essential toolkit every songwriter and producer needs. 💿 A&R & Catalogue Development
What makes a publisher invest in an artist—and how you can stand out.
🌐 Collaboration Networks
How 120 connects writers and producers with global acts.
🎹 Dance & Electronic Music Publishing
Navigating a genre often overlooked in traditional publishing systems.
🔎 Music Recognition Technology
What’s coming for clubs, festivals, and live performance rights.
🎓 Education & Advocacy
How to empower yourself as a creator in a complex rights ecosystem.
Mentoring Booking:
To work with Karen and ensure that you are getting the most from your sessions: ⚙️1. Choose a Casual or Package Mentoring Session Option Below and select from a first Available Time: Choose an appointment option below and complete your booking payment. (If you select the package of 3 make sure you select 3 days and time slots to book before you get to the payment gateway and ensure you leave enough time between sessions to reflect and prepare!) 🤝2. Check out your Confirmation Email Link Within 5 - 10 minutes you'll receive an email confirmation and an appointment to add to your calendar to work towards - there are key questions to make sure you are clear on prior to any initial mentor meeting to fill out so we're ready at least 24 hours before your session - but as soon as possible is best! 🎯 3. Prepare to target Specific Goals in your Session Make sure you come into the sessions open minded, fresh, and ready to make the session effective. Think about your 1, 3, 6 and 12 month goals - share them and consider what you need to achieve them. 🔥 4. Feedback and Next Steps Each mentor will record the meeting and have notes to summarise to you on what you've discussed within 24 hours .
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