Hitmaker Timbaland capped off an amazing 12 months by claiming the Songwriter Of The Year prize at Wednesday's 25th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards. The super-producer was honored for a string of international hits in 2007 and 2008, including Apologize, which has become one of the biggest hits around the globe in recent months.

He left the ceremony with nine prizes.

Also honored at the Kodak Theatre event in Hollywood were Steve Miller and Lionel Richie, who were handed the ASCAP Golden Note Award, and newcomer Sara Bareilles, who received ASCAP's Vanguard Award.

Awards were also presented to the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed pop songs of 2007.

Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry" and Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape" tied for the Best Song prize and Fergie was also on hand to pick up Pop Awards for her hits "Glamorous" and "Fergalicious."

EMI Music Publishing was named Publisher Of The Year for their 21 award-winning songs. It was the sixth consecutive win for EMI bosses, who have dominated the Pop Music Awards in the ceremony's 25-year history.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)