Changing CEOs is always a major transition. The CEO sets the tone and the standards for everyone else in an organization. For the past 10 years, André LeBel has led the transformation of SOCAN into one of the leading rights-management organizations in the world. Some of the changes are obvious to all SOCAN members, such as a re-engineered Membership department more responsive to our members’ needs. Other, equally important changes are less noticeable to members, although they have a significant impact on everyone. These include an effective strategic-planning and monitoring process to insure SOCAN is well prepared to deal with the many changes taking place in the music industry, improved distribution methods and an IT strategy that will allow SOCAN to manage the dramatic increase in data we must process because of all the new tariffs.

We all owe André our thanks for leaving SOCAN in such great shape, with a top executive team, employees who are engaged and committed to SOCAN’s goals and members who receive unparalleled service.

The board of directors is pleased to welcome Eric Baptiste as SOCAN’s new CEO. Eric comes to SOCAN from CISAC, where he was CEO for the past 12 years. CISAC is the International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies, the umbrella organization for performing-rights management societies around the world. Eric has an unparalleled knowledge of the international world of rights management, and is known everywhere as a strong spokesman for the rights of creators and music publishers. Prior to joining CISAC, Eric had a distinguished career in broadcasting, including managing a major French radio company, and as COO of Radio France International. Eric’s background in rights management and his strong administrative experience will be invaluable to SOCAN. Add to this his passion for music, and you have an ideal successor to André.

Eric will join SOCAN at the beginning of April and take over as CEO in mid-May upon André’s retirement. I’m sure you all join me in welcoming Eric to SOCAN as we look forward to the continued growth and success of our organization.

Earl Rosen is president of the music label Marquis Classics and publisher De Sade Songs. He served a previous term as SOCAN president in 2003-06.

Uploaded Spring 2010

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
Send them to Rick MacMillan, Words & Music Corporate Editor, at wordsandmusic@socan.ca