Conlon David

Describe your background and industry experience, and explain how it will help you contribute to the SOCAN Board of Directors?

David Conlon is a founding partner of EggPlant Music and Sound, a leading audio production house in Canada with over 20 years of experience. Specializing in original music creation, sound design, voice direction, and music supervision, EggPlant has earned international acclaim. Based in Toronto, EggPlant’s diverse portfolio spans film, TV, news, and global productions. 

Conlon, alongside his founding partner, led a pivotal battle against Revenue Canada’s push to recognize SOCAN royalties as passive income. Following a three-year legal struggle culminating in the Tax Court of Canada, the court ruled in their favour. This victory ensured all SOCAN members’ entitlement to the small business deduction rate on royalty income, marking a significant achievement for Canadian music composers. 

Additionally, Conlon serves as a partner and CFO of EggPlant Pictures, a dynamic destination offering video, audio, motion graphics, animation, VFX, and packaging solutions. 

Furthermore, Conlon recently joined Shadow Pine Studios as a partner. Their extensive award-winning library includes over 40 feature films and over 2200 episodes of television, airing on major networks and digital platforms worldwide. 

He has been an active member on a number of boards: Shadow Pine Studios, EggPlant Music and Sound, EggPlant Pictures and Sound, Inversion Studios, and Belong Hospitality. 

 

As a member of the SOCAN Board of Directors, I can contribute my extensive experience in the music industry, particularly in areas such as performance, and rights management. With a deep understanding of the challenges facing creators in today’s digital landscape, I bring a unique perspective on issues related to royalty collection, distribution, and advocacy. 

My background in technology and data management equips me to navigate the complexities of tracking performances across various platforms and mediums, ensuring accurate royalty distributions to SOCAN members. I am committed to promoting transparency and accountability within SOCAN, advocating for fair compensation for creators, and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization and the wider music community. 

With a proactive and collaborative approach, I aim to contribute innovative solutions and strategic insights to advance SOCAN’s mission of supporting music creators and promoting the value of music rights in Canada and beyond. 

In your opinion, what issues will be most important to SOCAN members over the next three years?

SOCAN, like other PROs, faces challenges in innovating, adapting to industry changes, and advocating for fair compensation while promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. 

1. Technology and Data Management: Investing in technology to track members’ works across platforms is crucial, but managing vast data efficiently for accurate royalty distributions remains challenging. 

2. Licensing and Compliance: Negotiating agreements with various music users while ensuring copyright compliance demands resources and complexity. 

3. Globalization and Cross-Border Royalties: Handling international licensing agreements and collecting royalties from foreign territories require navigation through complexities for fair compensation. 

4. Fair Compensation in the Digital Age: Ensuring fair compensation in evolving revenue models and streaming platforms poses ongoing challenges. 

5. Advocacy and Legislative Issues: Engaging in legislative advocacy for favourable copyright, licensing, and royalty rate laws are essential. 

6. Data Transparency and Accountability: Meeting demands for transparency in royalty collection, distribution, and reporting is vital for member clarity. 

7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Promoting diversity and inclusion in the organization and the broader industry is increasingly prioritized for fair representation and opportunities.