LONDON - Last week, CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore surprised Marie Moloney, Senior Press Officer with Richard Wootton Publicity, with the 2011 Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. The award was presented during a BMI-hosted dinner honoring Country Music Hall of Fame member and three-time CMA Award winner Bill Anderson, four-time CMA Award winner Clint Black, and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bob DiPiero, who were performing in the United Kingdom and Ireland for "The BMI and CMA Presents the CMA Songwriter Series." This was the first international session of the CMA Songwriter Series.
The Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media, which contribute to the development of Country Music outside the United States. Radio, TV, print journalists, authors, editors, television writers, producers, and PR companies who reside outside the United States are eligible to win this award.
The London-based Moloney has extensive experience within the Country Music industry. While working at CMA in London in the late '90s, she developed strong ties within the UK music industry. Since joining Richard Wootton Publicity in 1999, she has used her knowledge of the genre to publicize Country artists and events in the UK media. She is an invaluable source of support for the specialist Country Music community in the UK. As Senior Press Officer, Moloney has been involved with media campaigns for artists including Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Dixie Chicks, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, and Gretchen Wilson, as well as the CMA's New from Nashville campaigns aimed at raising the profile of newer Country artists in the UK.
"The start of my love of Country Music dates back to the days of my dad blaring the likes of 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance', 'Big Bad John,' and 'El Paso' from the car's cassette player," said Moloney. "Now, decades later, to be able to work in the genre and be awarded and recognized for what I do means more to me than I can ever put into words.
"I want to thank CMA, particularly Bobbi Boyce for taking a chance on me all those years ago, Richard and Claire at RWP, and all the artists, managements, and associated companies I have had the pleasure to work with and on, over the years - long may it continue. To everyone who took the time to vote and thus award me this ultimate honor, I truly and wholeheartedly give my thanks"
The CMA International Awards are voted on by a confidential panel of industry executives from USA and around the world.
More than 11,000 music industry professionals and companies around the globe are members of CMA. Formed in 1958 as the first trade association for a single genre of music, the organization's objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry while advancing the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA's strategic imperatives - CMA Music Festival and the companion CMA Music Festival television special; "Country Music's Biggest NightT," the CMA Awards; and CMA's latest television venture "CMA Country Christmas." All of CMA's TV properties air on the ABC Television Network through 2021. For information about CMA visit www.CMAworld.com.