Our People • Copyright Licensing

Our People

Our people are at the heart of what we do. We are comprised of a talented team of individuals bringing professionalism and dedication to our roles.

Sam Irvine

Chief Executive / Mana Whakahaere

Sam joined Copyright Licensing in 2022 and has a broad-ranging background which equips him well for the leadership of CLNZ. An experienced senior leader, Sam was Managing Director of Badger Communications and prior to that, was the Chief Operating Officer of Isthmus Group Ltd. Before this, Sam held senior positions at Freeview New Zealand Ltd, New Zealand’s free-to-air digital television and radio platform.

Jason Kay

Head of Operations & Technology / Kaiwhakahaere Hangarau Tatari

Jason has been with Copyright Licensing for over ten years, joining the team in 2011. As our Head of Operations & Technology Jason ensures the team have the tools and structures in place to perform effectively. Outside of work Jason is actively involved with Squash, bring his leadership and operations skills to his current position as President of Silverdale Squash Club.

Daniel Watterson

Contracts and Policy Manager / Kaiwhakahaere Pakihi

Daniel joined CLNZ in 2024 as the Contracts and Policy Manager. Daniel works across CLNZ’s projects, providing negotiation and contract support, ensuring good policy and legal compliance, and reviewing and developing policy to address modern legal and practical challenges and changes (like the impact of AI on creative rights). Before joining CLNZ, Daniel was a former Barrister and Crown Prosecutor at a top-tier law firm. As a senior legal advisor and well-regarded stage and screen actor, Daniel blends legal expertise and real-world industry acumen. He is the founder of W.E.L., which provides accessible legal services to the film, television, and gaming industries.

Anna Reynolds

Customer Service Coordinator / Kiritaki Kaitūhono

Anna joined the team in April 2022 as the Customer Service Coordinator. She has spent the last 10 years in the Netherlands, most recently working with customers for a non-profit organisation in the internet community. She loves to spend her time reading with a cuppa or outside having adventures in nature with her two small children.

Caroline Carlyle

Accounts & Administration Manager / Tīma Kaitūhono

Caroline recently joined Copyright Licensing in 2024 as our Accounts & Administration Manager. Caroline manages the accounts and works alongside our Accountant; she is also responsible for all administration duties in the office and manages the Cultural Fund Awards & Grants.

During her career, she has been involved in a variety of industries, including most recently interior design consultancy with Curtain Studio and hospitality accounts with SkyCity Entertainment Group. She has brought her positive nature and skill set to our well-rounded team.

When not working she is pursuing her creative and other interests in the fields of writing, artwork, dancing, horticultural studies, volunteering for charities, and of course spending quality time with her supportive family.

Karen Workman

Creative Rights Educator / Kaiwhakahaere Whakapā

Karen joined Copyright Licensing New Zealand mid 2021 and is focused on the development of the Creative Rights Education programme. She has years of experience in education and arts-based organisations, and was most recently in Los Angeles, where she was knee-deep in the film industry. Karen has a particular heart for helping creative people on their life journeys. When not in the office, Karen can be found sipping tea with friends and looking for the next plays, exhibitions, books and movies to enjoy.

Caroline Stone

Arts Licensing Consultant / Mātanga Hāpai Toi Ataata

Caroline is consulting with Copyright Licensing New Zealand and joined in mid 2019. Caroline was lucky enough to study at Otago University at the same time as a lot of Flying Nun bands were playing, and has been a friend and fan of Flying Nun music ever since. She completed her LLB in Auckland and has since worked in New Zealand, Japan and New York where she is also admitted to practice law. After returning to New Zealand, Caroline has continued practising US immigration law as well as setting up Creative Legal Services in an effort to make legal services more accessible to artists. Caroline was on the board of Artists Alliance for several years, and has chaired the Flying Nun Foundation since 2016.

Barbara Agabiti

Research and Data Entry / Kaira nahau kaira tari

Our team researches, processes and audits the information received from the data collection and ensures that each title is assigned to the correct rights holder. Away from the office, Barbara is an entomologist and soil biologist, which is a fancy way to say that she digs in the dirt, looking for bugs. She has a passion for books of all kind, except horror, and lives with her husband and two dogs.

Anita Ballantyne

Research and Data Entry / Kaira nahau kaira tari

Our team researches, processes and audits the information received from the data collection and ensures that each title is assigned to the correct rights holder. Anita has a Master of Science from the University of Port Elizabeth and loves all things science related, especially botany, natural history and medical research. She also cares about animal welfare and enjoys reading.

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