Describe your background and industry experience, and explain how it will help you contribute to the SOCAN Board of Directors?
I have been involved in representing writers and their songs in Canada and abroad for nearly 40 years as a founding member of the Nettwerk Music Group. I care passionately about promoting the importance of writers and their songs, across all genres, in Canada and internationally. I would hope to continue to the extent I can, help SOCAN provide best-in-class services to its members and to heighten the visibility of its publishers and writers in Canada and internationally.
In your opinion, what issues will be most important to SOCAN members over the next three years?
There are many important goals we need to focus on, but they include: a) ensuring the best possible rates for writers and publishers, especially from digital streaming services; b) ensuring that writers and publishers remain well compensated even with the coming tidal wave of AI music; and c) ensuring that writers and their works can thrive internationally in other key markets (the US/the UK/France, etc.).