Digital collection society AMRA has expanded its operations to license on behalf of its songwriters and publishers in Canada.
The Kobalt Music Group-owned company says that it is working closely with all digital streaming providers (DSPs) for mechanical rights licensing in Canada and began collecting on April 1, 2022.
Since 2015, AMRA has established global licensing agreements with more than 29 DSPs operating a multi-territorial service.
These licensing agreements stretch into 212 territories, including Asia-Pacific, Australia/New Zeeland, Europe, Middle East, North Africa territories, Russia, Brazil, and Canada.
The addition of Canada as a territory for AMRA only affects digital mechanical rights.
AMRA generated over $100 million annually for the first time in Kobalt’s FY2021, representing the 12 months to end of June 2021.
AMRA’s total revenues hit $109.8 million in that year, up by 40.2% versus the prior FY ($78.3m).
Kobalt also says that AMRA processed a record-breaking 29 billion music royalties (up 40% YoY) in FY2021, distributing almost $200 million of digital royalties directly to songwriters and rightsholders.
News of AMRA’s expansion of its operations to license on behalf of its songwriters and publishers in Canada follows the news from April that AMRA had promoted two of its key London-based executives into senior roles at the company.
Robin Davies, who has worked with/for AMRA since 2015, is elevated to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company, stepped up from his previous role as Head of International & General Manager.
Meanwhile, Honey Onile-Ere was promoted to General Counsel at AMRA. Onile-Ere was previously Head of Legal, International for AMRA, most notably leading AMRA’s global licensing negotiations with all the major DSPs.
“As music continues its breakneck speed to penetrate every corner of the earth, and streaming continues to be consumers’ preferred form of listening, it is our obligation to ensure songwriters and our publishing clients capture that value.”
Tomas Ericsson, AMRA
AMRA CEO Tomas Ericsson, said: “As music continues its breakneck speed to penetrate every corner of the earth, and streaming continues to be consumers’ preferred form of listening, it is our obligation to ensure songwriters and our publishing clients capture that value.
“This is why AMRA already licenses digital rights on behalf of our publisher clients directly in over 212 territories outside the US.
“The addition of Canada makes perfect sense and adds to AMRA’s ability to deliver added value and services to our clients.”Music Business Worldwide
