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Timbaland was named ASCAP's songwriter of the year and EMI Music Publishing was deemed top publisher for the sixth consecutive year at the 25th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards held Wednesday at the Kodak Theater.

Fergie's hit "Big Girls Don't Cry" and Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape" tied for song of the year. "Big Girls" was penned by Fergie (Stacy Ferguson) and Toby Gad; Stefani, Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort wrote "The Sweet Escape."

Timbaland contributed to nine award-winning songs, including "Give It to Me," "The Way I Are," "Until the End of Time" and "What Goes Around ... Comes Around." He has twice been named Rhythm and Soul songwriter of the year.

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

Besides "Big Girls" and "Sweet Escape," the top 5 included "Irreplaceable," written by Beyonce, Mikkel Eriksen and Tor Hermansen; "It's Not Over," written by Gregg Wattenberg; and "Say It Right," written by Nelly Furtado and Timbaland.

Evening included tributes to Lionel Richie and Steve Miller, who were presented with ASCAP's Golden Note Award. Newcomer Sara Bareilles received ASCAP's Vanguard Award.

ASCAP is a performing rights organization that represents more than 8.5 million copyrighted musical works.