Meet Jacob Koefoed: Koda’s new publisher consultant

The move grew out of a desire for new challenges and a wish to keep developing professionally. When the opportunity arose in Publisher Relations, he embraced it with enthusiasm.

‘It was brilliant to feel seen,’ he says, describing the moment his manager tapped him on the shoulder and opened the door to the new role. That became the starting point for a shift into an area where relationships, industry insight, and day-to-day member contact intersect in new ways.

When we keep the dialogue going, we find out what’s working and where something needs attention

- Jacob Koefoed

Read more about publishers at Koda

Stronger expertise – and greater visibility for music publishers

For music publishers, Jacob’s move means that a familiar point of contact is taking on new responsibilities, while the Publishing Department gains additional specialist knowledge. Many publishers have already worked with Jacob Koefoed on repertoire-related enquiries, particularly those involving documentation and data.

Some of his previous tasks will be transferred to colleagues in the Repertoire Department. Even so, Jacob is keen to emphasise that the two areas will continue to work closely together. The synergy between departments is strong, and his background from Repertoire will strengthen both the Publishing Department and Koda’s broader collaboration with members.

‘I’m bringing eight years of experience from Repertoire on documentation, our databases and more,’ he explains. ‘That’s a real boost in capability and knowledge in our work with music publishers.”

Relationships at the centre, curiosity as the driving force

For Jacob, relationships are at the heart of the job. He finds music publishers to be curious, committed and passionate advocates for the composers and songwriters they represent.

‘They really care about what they do,’ he says.

All this makes it even more important to him to be accessible – and that publishers should feel genuinely welcome and involved.

‘I strongly encourage everyone to speak up,’ he emphasises. ‘When we keep the dialogue going, we find out what’s working and where something needs attention.’

He sees ongoing dialogue as one of the most important foundations for strong collaboration. Every enquiry, question and challenge is also a chance to identify where Koda might do even better – and where new solutions can be developed, for example through dashboards, data extracts or clearer communication.

A musician’s perspective adds understanding

Jacob’s background is not purely administrative. He is also a musician and an active, performing Koda member - giving him insight and first-hand experience that supported his work in Repertoire and continues to inform his approach now. While he may not foreground that side of his identity in his role today, it remains an important part of his overall perspective.

The pivotal role of music publishers

Jacob Koefoed is very much aware of the value music publishers create. In his view, publishers play a key role in supporting music creators because they can do things an individual composer or songwriter cannot always do alone.

He also finds the diversity among publishers an energising factor that only makes the work even more exciting. That variety requires understanding and flexibility, which is why Koda’s Publishing Department has allocated internal account responsibility to support closer, more meaningful relationships.

A changing industry – and data as gold

Looking ahead, one thing stands out for Jacob: the growing complexity of data.

‘Data offers an opportunity to understand your business,’ says Jacob Koefoed.

And that holds true for Koda and music publishers alike. The growing volumes of data, new data types and increasingly detailed systems bring new possibilities as well as new demands.

Speaking of current trends, Jacob Koefoed has no doubt that AI and technology platforms will continue to reshape the landscape. As a result, both publishers and Koda must be even more attentive to rights and data management, and strong metadata hygiene is more important than ever. In a world of automated systems and global platforms, ensuring precision is not just an administrative discipline – it is a commercial necessity.

The main challenge will be keeping pace with technological change and using it actively to benefit publishers and the composers and songwriters they represent. This shift must not only be managed; it must be leveraged strategically.

And while the data streams may feel endless, they also offer new opportunities for forming a clearer view of each business section – and of new ways to strengthen it. Data can illuminate a work’s performance, rights flows and market trends, providing a foundation for better, more informed decisions.

To Jacob Koefoed’s mind, the issue is not a question of data becoming ‘too complex’. It is about using it well. And about helping publishers unlock the value hidden in the many layers of data.

‘That’s where the gold is waiting,’ he concludes.