Global CEO Excellence 2017

36 CEO MONTHLY / GLOBAL CEO EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017 , SOCAN connects more than four-millionmusic creators worldwide andmore than a quarter- million businesses and individuals in Canada. We invited Eric Baptiste to tell us more about his role in the firm’s success. Best Music Industry Advocacy CEO - Canada SOCAN is Canada’s Performing Rights Organization. The organisation licenses the right of music creators and publishers for the public performance of their songs by broadcasters, concert organizers, online services etc. Recent acquisitions over the past year have helped move the organization forward as a full service provider to intellectual property stakeholders, such as digital service providers, creators, publishers and record companies. Eric, who has helped to drive this development, talks us through his previous experience and how he draws on this to ensure that he is constantly creating excellence for the firm. “Prior to joining SOCAN as CEO, I was CEO of CISAC, the international federation of copyright organizations. Prior to that I was COO of Radio France International. My experience as a radio broadcaster, lobbyist and business standards leaders prepared me very well to be the CEO of a dynamic organization such as SOCAN. When I first started at SOCAN, the organization needed to believe a bit more in itself and what it could accomplish to free up the energy that was latent but obvious. Then we had to streamline, invest more in technology, both internally as well as externally, and crucially in innovation-driven people. These were key areas for me to focus on once I arrived. We dramatically improved our cost base and capacity in very short order. “Overall, I am very proud that I have been able to lead SOCAN, an already strong organization, to an even higher level of performance. We have established records in virtually every measure of corporate growth and development.” With regards to leadership, Eric works collaboratively with his staff to ensure excellence, as he is keen to highlight. “Personally, I firmly believe in developing a clear and compelling vision as well as hiring great people and getting out of their way. Having smart and driven executives allows us to accomplish so much more. To ensure that our vision remains in the forefront, we measure our progress against it regularly and ensure that all new initiatives or acquisitions match up to our strategy.” As he looks to the future Eric is excited for his organisation’s plans for continued growth and even greater success. “Looking ahead, my aspiration for SOCAN is to help the organization lead the global transformation of music rights. I am proud of the success that SOCAN has enjoyed and the strength that we have built, and am eager to help SOCAN, our subsidiaries, members, customers and employers reach their potential.” Contact: Jeff King Contact Email: [email protected] Address: 41 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 2S6, Canada Phone: 001 416-442-3811