Florida Creates Task Force

Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that he would create a Music Recording Industry Task Force within Florida’s Office of Film and Entertainment. Crist initiated the task force with the goal of not only more efficiently managing Florida’s handling of industry-related issues but also in hopes of strengthening Florida’s economy by strengthening its music industry.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced that he would create a Music Recording Industry Task Force within Florida’s Office of Film and Entertainment. Crist initiated the task force with the goal of not only more efficiently managing Florida’s handling of industry-related issues but also in hopes of strengthening Florida’s economy by strengthening its music industry.

“A rich variety of music from many cultures permeates Florida’s lifestyle, with many recording artists and recording studios calling the Sunshine State home,” Governor Crist said, in a press release. “In the same way we have been able to attract and retain Florida businesses in other entertainment sectors, I believe we can do the same for the music industry.”

One of Crist’s primary goals for the task force is the creation of a music festival for Florida, particularly Miami. He also hopes to make the establishment of new artists easier, preserve Florida’s musical history, and protect artists and labels from copyright infringement (with an emphasis on illegal downloading).

“The recording industry, like the film and television industry sectors, is in rapid transition as new technologies provide more vehicles for consumers to access entertainment products. I welcome working with the industry experts to learn more about how to protect and grow Florida’s music industry,” Lucia Fishburne, director of the Office of Film and Entertainment, said. Florida is a leader in the music industry, and is home to nearly 50,000 industry-related jobs.