David Kokakis
CMRRA is pleased to announce that David Kokakis of Universal Music Publishing Group has been appointed to its board of directors.
Currently serving as Executive Vice President / Head of Business & Legal Affairs, Business Development and Digital, David oversees Universal’s contract negotiations, business development strategies, litigation matters, government lobbying efforts and digitals initiatives. The CMRRA Board and Management Team are thrilled to add David’s many skills to CMRRA’s leadership, not to mention his international insights. The combined strengths of our board members will continue to push CMRRA forward and continue to fulfil its mission: to ensure our music publisher clients have access to the highest quality services and that the full economic value for the use of their catalogues is realized in an efficient and transparent manner.
Since joining Universal seven years ago, David has handled business affairs for the company’s Canadian office, and has been instrumental in negotiations to help bring new digital music services to Canada. David’s experience makes him uniquely positioned to bring an international perspective to the CMRRA Board, including his work on digital deals throughout the world, including in Canada, the U.S., LATAM and Europe, his lobbying efforts for copyright reform in Washington D.C., and his involvement in helping to shape global policies for the digital music age.
Prior to his work with Universal, David was a partner in a media company that developed and managed businesses across many sectors of the entertainment industries. His experience there included work with print publishing, reality television production, music and sports talent management, consumer product development and corporate branding. David also practiced entertainment law for several years at various firms, including Greenberg Traurig, and was the COO of a media company that managed radio and music properties. David was recently named on both the Billboard “2016 Digital Powerplayers” list and the Billboard “2016 Top Music Industry Lawyers” list.
