April’s Front of House features Paul Gills, Senior Vice President of Operations & Client Engagement at SX Works and CMRRA. His day-to-day work includes managing CMRRA operational activities, working with the CMRRA and SX Works teams, talking to clients and participating in industry groups.
In June of 2022, it was announced that you would be joining SX Works and CMRRA as Senior Vice President, Operations & Client Engagement. Can you tell us what your day-to-day looks like?
No two days are the same, the variety is one of the attractions and keeps me on my toes. My day can traverse from CMRRA operational activities to working closely with Lori Ellis and the CMRRA team, to talking to current and potential SX Works clients and participating in industry working groups.
You’ve had some big accomplishments over your career. From the operational redesign, development, and implementation of core business systems at Universal Music Publishing and the redesign of publishing operations at EMI Music Publishing. What accomplishments at SX Works and CMRRA are you most proud of?
I was pleased at the integration of the matching and linking function of CMRRA’s online mechanical usage to SoundExchange NGP (Next Generation Platform) as this is the first piece of the jigsaw for Publishing Platform integration.
Developing CMRRA’s Client Engagement strategy with Paul Shaver and Andrea England and advocating for CMRRA with existing and potential clients is a major plus as it is always great to be in a front of house role and understand clients needs and how we need to continuously adapt and change.
The rebranding and launching of SX Works data and technical solutions to enable music publisher clients to improve their data, claiming and collections in the USA has been a key win for the organization as well.
After being on the publisher side for so long, what’s it like being on the other side of the Rights Management table, representing publisher interests?
It is energizing as I am working with a team whose intention is to support potentially all creator’s and music publishers. I get to see all the wrinkles that are issues for the community and plan, design and implement solutions that can iron out the wrinkles.
You’re originally from the United Kingdom, how did you end up in Nashville?
It’s been almost 6 years now; I was at Universal Music Publishing Group and the opportunity to build a team and administration organization from the ground up was too good to turn down. Being able to do it in Music City and be surrounded by the creators has given me an even greater respect and perspective for how hard it is to make a living in the industry.
What are you currently listening to?
I flip backwards and forwards from the reggae, Motown and ska of my early teenage years the funk and soul of my late teens, early 20’s. Brit Pop of the 1990’s is a go to whilst enjoying Dance music in the 2000’s. Right now, I am listing to Gregory Porter as I saw him perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville back in February.
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