Eugene Mopsik to Represent APA and Visual Creators on Plus Coalition Board

January 16, 2015 - Santa Fe, NM – American Photographic Artists (APA) is very excited to announce that Eugene Mopsik will represent APA and all visual creators on the PLUS Coalition Board of Directors, beginning 2015.

"Gene's history as a passionate advocate for artists' rights has earned him a high level of respect from artists' organizations, publishers, lawmakers and government agencies, not only in the USA, but around the world," said PLUS Coalition President Jeff Sedlik.

The Picture Licensing Universal System (PLUS) Coalition Board of Directors governs the Coalition, with one seat dedicated to each industry engaged in creating, distributing, using and preserving images. Trade organization representatives from the various sectors are nominated by the organizations to hold these seats.

"We chose Gene for his expertise concerning advocacy matters for artists, and because we felt that keeping him in his current Board position seemed like the best thing for the industry and the important work being done by PLUS," stated APA President Theresa Raffetto.

As a new member of American Photographic Artists, Mopsik will also be serving on the Advocacy Committee of the APA to advise on industry issues. APA Executive Vice President, Michael Grecco, currently serves as the Chairperson of the APA Advocacy Committee.

Mopsik said he was very pleased that with the support of APA, he be will be able to continue his work as Vice Chairman of the PLUS Board of Directors, representing visual creators. "APA appreciates the value of PLUS and the PLUS Registry, and the service it can provide in the identification and management of image rights for APA members and the broader creative community."

"Gene understands that in a globally networked marketplace, visual artists must think globally, act globally and find global solutions to our challenges," said Sedlik. "It has been an honor to work with Gene, and I look forward many more years of collaboration."

About American Photographic Artists (APA)
The American Photographic Artists (apanational.org) is a leading national organization run by and for professional photographers. With a culture that promotes a spirit of mutual cooperation, sharing and support, APA offers outstanding benefits, educational programs and essential business resources to help its members achieve their professional and artistic goals. Headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico with chapters in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Charlotte, the Northwest, Washington, DC, and APA Editorial Photographers, APA strives to improve the environment for photographic artists and clear the pathways to success in the industry. Recognized for its broad industry reach, APA continues to expand benefits for its members and works to champion the rights of photographers and image-makers worldwide.

About Picture Licensing Universal System (PLUS)
The PLUS Coalition (www.PLUS.org) is an international non-profit initiative on a mission to simplify and facilitate the communication and management of image rights. Respected associations, leading companies, standards bodies, scholars, industry experts and working professionals in 150 countries have collaborated to create the PLUS Standards and PLUS Registry, making it easier to communicate, understand and manage image rights on a global scale. The PLUS Coalition exists at the crossroads between technology, commerce, the arts, preservation and education.