This month’s Front of House features Elyssa Macri, Director of Communications & Industry Relations, whose career spans radio, retail, and key roles at CCMA and CARAS/The JUNO Awards. Driven by her passion for music, Elyssa has honed her skills, built strong relationships, and made meaningful industry contributions. Now at CMRRA she applies this experience to help shape CMRRA’s brand and advance its mission, while balancing work with life as a new mom.
Your career journey has taken you from radio to retail, and from the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) to the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS)/The JUNO Awards. Now as the Director of Communications and Industry Relations at CMRRA, what led you to this role? Could you also share what your day-to-day looks like?
I’ve always had a passion for music and entertainment and knew from a young age that I wanted a career in those fields. Each step of my journey has allowed me to gain new skills, insights and build relationships that have all played a part in preparing me for my current role at CMRRA.
Starting in radio broadcasting, I was able to connect with music fans, artists, and industry professionals on a daily basis. It was such a dynamic environment where I was learning constantly—about the music business, marketing/promotions, radio sales, programming, and how radio fits into the larger media landscape. From there, moving to hmv Canada, provided me with a deeper understanding of the retail side of the music business, and how consumers engage with music in both physical and digital formats. Social media was expanding at this time, and I was able to start and build an organic audience for the brand, curate promotions and giveaways, work with music labels and movie studios on in-store events and continue building meaningful connections with industry members.
My time at the CCMA and CARAS/The JUNO Awards allowed me to step into roles where I could connect with industry stakeholders on a larger scale—artists, managers, producers, broadcasters, PR teams, brand partners etc. Those years were formative, as I not only got to celebrate and amplify Canadian talent but also work on the communications, media/PR and marketing efforts behind the biggest celebration in Canadian music. The experience of helping to elevate the careers of Canadian artists while fostering industry-wide relationships has been invaluable in shaping my career.
When the opportunity at CMRRA arose, it was the perfect next step. It was a new sector of the music business for me that I was excited to learn more about. As the Director of Communications and Industry Relations, I felt I could leverage everything I’d learned throughout my career to help advance the mission of CMRRA—ensuring music publishers and self-published songwriters are paid fairly for the use of their works, while also educating the industry about the importance of Collective Management Organization (CMO)’s and music rights.
As for what my day-to-day looks like, no two days are alike. My role focuses on strengthening the CMRRA brand and building relationships in the music industry. I work alongside the talented Alexa Boyle, our Communications & Industry Relations Coordinator and various Industry Relations Consultants. On any given day, I’m working on everything from strategic communications pieces, marketing and branding, media engagement, to working with partners on building sponsorships to help boost our industry presence and collaborating with internal teams, including our Publisher Engagement Team on various events. I also get to connect with the industry, with our clients, and to represent CMRRA and our collective stakeholders (publishers and songwriters) at various events and conferences. CMRRA is celebrating its 50th Anniversary next year, so we are working hard to launch some exciting marketing pieces and initiatives to celebrate this milestone, and we can’t wait to unveil what they are!
Congratulations on welcoming your first child in 2023! How have you been enjoying parenthood and what has surprised you the most about this new chapter in your life?
Becoming a parent has been an incredible and transformative experience. It’s hard to put into words the joy that comes with watching your child grow and discover the world. I think one of the most unexpected things for me has been how quickly everything changes—your whole world shifts and your priorities really do a 180. I’ve learned so much about myself in the process.
It’s also been amazing to see how much support I’ve received from family, friends, and colleagues. Parenthood is definitely a big adjustment, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue navigating life as a working mom and balancing both the personal and professional aspects of my life. I’m enjoying all the little moments—the smiles, the giggles, the milestones, the magic of the holidays—because I know how fast she will grow up! It’s a fulfilling new chapter, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in the industry?
If you’re starting out in the music industry, my advice is to stay passionate and keep learning. Be adaptable—things change fast, so embrace new tech and trends. Get out there, attend concerts, conferences, events. Build real relationships with people, not just for networking but because you genuinely care. Take the time to understand different roles and sectors of the industry, even if they’re not your main focus, and work hard and stay consistent. Just remember, music is at the heart of it all, so take moments to appreciate the unique experiences, impact and the joy it brings.
You frequently attend industry events, but how do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I love connecting with the industry at events, concerts, conferences etc, but lately, outside of work, most of my time is spent keeping up with my toddler, which definitely keeps me on my toes! Between chasing after her around (toddlers are fast!), going on walks outside, playing at the park, and spending time with family, there’s never a dull moment. I’m always looking for ways to keep her entertained. When I can find a bit of extra time, especially after bedtime, I love to catch up with friends, cheer on our Toronto sports teams, or enjoy some quiet time on the couch watching a new TV series. I also recently started a new hobby of hand embroidery, which I’m enjoying exploring, and adding personal touches to clothing and accessories. Honestly, a lot of my focus these days is just making sure I’m present for all of those precious moments with my little one!
Thinking about becoming a client of CMRRA? Already a client but have questions? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you the answers you need.
