March 10, 2021
San Francisco, California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
James Edmund Datri, ASMP CEO
The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) today announced that long-time external General Counsel Thomas Maddrey is moving in-house and on March 15, 2021, will become the organization’s full-time General Counsel and Head of National Content and Education. Maddrey will focus on building an unparalleled industry-leading content and education platform exclusively for ASMP’s members that will cover in-depth legal education for photographers and content creators, practical tools for protecting copyrights, applying for government grants and loans, business operations, client development, as well as the creative side and cutting edge of photography, video, film and image-making. ASMP expects to unveil the innovative new platform in mid-2021.
Maddrey has a unique background: he was a professional commercial and fine art photographer who became an attorney and built a law firm specifically to serve the needs of content creators. His firm’s clients have included visual creators, fine artists, performing arts organizations, collectors, galleries, archives, museums, and other creative individuals and groups. Additionally, Maddrey regularly briefs the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts around the country on issues affecting creatives, with a focus on copyright and licensing issues. He holds a B.A. in commercial photography from the Brooks Institute, a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a law degree from SMU. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Copyright Alliance and the Dallas Opera, among others.
In joining ASMP, Maddrey is closing his well-respected eponymous law firm, Maddrey PLLC. “ASMP is already the leader in the education of photographers across the full range of legal and business issues. And what we are building will create an unmatched value proposition for our members that isn’t available anywhere else. The decision to close my firm was not an easy one, but the opportunity at ASMP that CEO Jim Datri outlined for me in conversations over the last two months was too exciting and groundbreaking to pass up. I believe in what he and the team are building: a truly next generation trade association for photographers and content creators,” said Thomas Maddrey.
ASMP’s successful and ongoing new member campaign has resulted in the revenues to fund new hires and invest in member-serving programs. “Tom is one of the recognized national leaders in this space, successfully fighting for the rights of content creators at all levels of the federal courts and educating photographers on how to protect their works and build and operate their businesses. Having him here for our members full-time will be enormously beneficial to ASMP’s membership. This is an exciting time of growth for ASMP and I am thrilled to have Tom on board,” said ASMP CEO James Edmund Datri.
About ASMP: The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) is the premier trade association for the most respected photographers and content creators across the worlds of media, advertising, photojournalism, portraiture, sports, fashion, entertainment, fine art, video/film, and beyond. ASMP is the leader in providing extensive education and resources to photographers on the best practices to run and grow a business in these fields, promoting the rights of photographers through a comprehensive program of legal and public policy advocacy, connecting member photographers with clients, and producing business publications for photographers that set the industry standards. The organization exists because the work of these visual creators is so important to our economy and our culture. Founded in October of 1944, with a storied history that is an integral and pivotal part of the progression of photography as a profession, industry, and cultural force, ASMP recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary and has nearly 3,500 members and 38 chapters.
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