Over the past eighteen months, SOCAN has strengthened its commitment to its members in Québec, and to the entire Québec music ecosystem. By implementing innovative initiatives and enhancing our dialogue with key industry players and members, we’ve demonstrated our unwavering commitment to meet the needs of Québec songwriters, screen composers and music publishers. This is why we want to inform you of the progress made to date. We’re constantly striving to improve our services, and strengthen our relationships with industry, and with provincial and federal government institutions.
“The Québec market is experiencing significant challenges, which makes our role even more crucial to our members,” said Jean-Christian Céré, SOCAN’s Chief Membership Officer. “We have a responsibility not only to offer them an optimal service – transparent, efficient and precise – but also to ensure that they receive their royalties quickly, and without error. In an uncertain economic climate, every dollar counts for creators and publishers. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to improve our processes, strengthen our proximity to the industry and, ultimately, ensure that our members can devote themselves fully to their work, and to music creation, knowing that SOCAN is a strong partner at the service of their interests.”
A Mission Centred on the Specifics of the Québec Market
The mission of SOCAN’s Québec Affairs Department, headed by Alexandre Alonso, is to support the organization in decision-making and the performance of services, taking into account the specific characteristics of the market. Driven by the vision of making SOCAN a key ally for its members, it aims to participate in a proud, productive, and diversified Québec market. Priorities have been clearly defined in the context of the 2024 objective:
- Regain the trust of members by strengthening dialogue and increasing transparency.
- Rebuild the relationship with the community through local initiatives and regular collaboration.
- Support the community by continuously adapting and improving the services we offer.
These strategic guidelines are implemented through a series of concrete actions that strengthen the ties between SOCAN and all the members and stakeholders of the Québec music industry.
An Ambitious Public Relations Approach
In 2024, SOCAN’s Department of Québec Affairs launched a new plan to better interact with various audiences, including the media, the music industry, and provincial and municipal government institutions. Several of these initiatives have helped increase SOCAN’s commitment and promote dialogue:
- Quarterly consultation roundtables with groups of creator and publisher members that fostered the exchange of ideas and the collective resolution of issues.
- Think tanks dedicated to screen composing that enabled new avenues of collaboration to be explored.
- Monthly collaborative meetings with key associations, such as APEM and SPACQ-AE, in order to better identify needs and adapt services.
- Regular on-the-ground representation with institutional actors and government representatives, for direct and constructive dialogue.
These measures have enabled SOCAN to establish strong links with all stakeholders and to initiate promising partnerships for 2025.
Said Alexandre Alonso, Executive Director of Québec Affairs: “I’m proud to be able to say that SOCAN is a truly Canadian organization, in the sense that it recognizes, understands and values the richness and diversity of our industry, of its players and of its markets, with special attention to Québec. Our approach is not to distinguish Québec from the other provinces or the rest of Canada, but to consider it as a market that is in fact distinct, with its own economic mechanisms, a particular industrial dynamic, and a unique political landscape – which, consequently, requires specific decision-making and intervention. Our Québec Affairs Department works day in and day out to contribute to a strong Québec, in the interest of all SOCAN members.”
Continuing Improvement of Member Services
The rollout of the “Plan Québec” in 2023 was a decisive step in improving the services we offer to our members. This plan aims to provide dedicated resources, and to respond to the specific operational challenges of the Québec market. Here are a few key initiatives that illustrate this commitment:
- Creation of the “MTL à l’image” Summit, an event dedicated to screen composing, and a networking opportunity for professionals in this field.
- Active participation in collaborative projects such as “MUSIQC,” “Les synchros de l’année,” “Artistes Entrepreneurs,” “Métamusique,” and “ADISQ à l’école,” which support the development of talent and continuing professional training.
- Facilitating reporting to Musicaction with regard to the songwriters’ grant program.
- The payment of residual royalties related to the pandemic relief programs of SODEC and CALQ.
- Improvement of the processing and payment of outstanding concert royalties.
- Information sessions on economic statistics in the sound recording and screen music sectors to better understand market dynamics.
- Workshops on the new cue sheet format that simplifies data transmission and management.
These initiatives demonstrate that SOCAN is not content to simply keep pace with developments in the sector, but also strives to anticipate the future needs of its members.
Strengthening Teams and Dedicated Resources
To better respond to the specifics of the Québec market, SOCAN has set up a dedicated team operating from its Montréal office. This structure makes it possible to offer tailor-made service and guarantee personalized support. Among the actions undertaken, we wish to highlight the following:
- Mobilization of three account executives assigned exclusively to Québec and supervised by a new team leader to ensure optimal follow-up.
- Increased staff for distribution and repertoire operations, including hiring specialists in agreements, works and reports updates.
- Recruitment of a human resources professional based in Montréal to identify and retain talent with in-depth knowledge of the local market.
- Development of localized communication and marketing content promoting the identity and successes of our members and ensuring a personalized experience.
These improvements enable SOCAN to remain agile and responsive to the specific demands of Québec members, while strengthening its presence and expertise in the region.
Looking Ahead
The progress made over the past 18 months illustrates SOCAN’s ongoing commitment to support and enhance Québec’s musical ecosystem. Thanks to structured initiatives and a dedicated team, the organization is positioned as a trusted partner for its members and an important supporter of the Québec music industry. SOCAN continues to work closely with associations, institutions, and governments to anticipate future needs, and build a sustainable, innovative and inclusive music market.
With new initiatives on the horizon, SOCAN re-affirms its essential role in supporting music creators and professionals. The successes achieved in recent months pave the way for promising development in 2025, with actions aimed at further strengthening ties with all stakeholders in the sector.
We are fully committed to you, to innovation, to collaboration, and to the development of the excellence of the Québec market in the national and international music industry.