Atlas Music Publishing will receive the prestigious 2019 Indie Award from the New York Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP), the association announced today (July 22).

The award -- recognizing those who have contributed significantly to the independent music publishing industry -- will be presented to Atlas CEO and founder Richard Stumpf, along with COO and partner Phil Cialdella, at the chapter's annual holiday party on Dec. 4.

"We’ve watched Atlas’ presence in the music scene grow immensely within the past few years,” shared New York Chapter president Alisa Coleman, who is also COO of ABKCO Music & Records, Inc. “Rich and Phil are consistently supporting the indie publishing community."

Prior to Atlas, which was founded in 2013, Stumpf and Cialdella spent a decade working hand-in-hand at legendary indie Cherry Lane Music starting in 2000. Throughout their partnership, they've been fierce advocates for writers and copyrights -- Cialdella as an active AIMP NY board member, and Stumpf is both a Recording Academy Trustee and NMPA IPAC board member. Both were also longtime lobbyists and supports of the Music Modernization Act, which was passed late last year.

Together, they've represented writers and catalogs including Quincy Jones, Elvis Presley, John Denver, John Legend, The Black Eyed Peas, Van Halen and Brandi Carlile. Their work recently caught the attention of all-star manager Scooter Braun, whose Ithaca Holdings partnered with Atlas earlier this year. Already, the partnership has led to collaborations between Warren Haynes with Zac Brown, as well as Emlyn and Nick Lee with Demi Lovato.

“As the times change, our goal at Atlas will stay consistent: to make sure creators are acknowledged and paid fairly in order to nurture the songwriter community and ensure that the beat continues on,” said Stumpf. “It’s truly an honor to be acknowledged and supported by the AIMP as we continue to advocate for change in the music world, while also making chart-topping hits.

"As I’ve learned throughout my career, it all starts with the right team and company ethos," he continued. "I’ve been fortunate to call Phil a friend and partner for many years. He and the entire Atlas team bring what’s right in the music business to our writers. Atlas is a special place and something we are all very proud to be building together.”

Past winners of the AIMP New York Chapter Indie Award include Reservoir Media, Julie Menin of the New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MoME) and Justin Kalifowitz of Downtown Music Publishing.

Added Braun: "We searched for the right music publishing partner for a while, spoke with many people we trust, and Rich and Phil’s names kept coming up. After getting to know them, it was clear to us that they were doing it right. At Atlas they have created an artist first culture, much like our own at SB Projects. I’m very happy that the AIMP is recognizing their hard work and dedication to writers and congratulate them on receiving the Indie Award."