We would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to Lori Ellis, CMRRA’s Vice President of Operations. Many of you may recognize her name, but we would like to take this time tell you a little about her personally.
Raised in many parts of Canada but with deep roots in Nova Scotia, Lori is a proud alumnus of Dalhousie University. She has been a member of the CMRRA team since 1992, and has played a variety of roles within the company. As a Licensing Coordinator, Supervisor of Independent Labels, Manager of Special Projects, Director of Online / Tariff and Licensing, and now our VP of Operations, Lori has gained invaluable experience and knowledge at CMRRA throughout her tenure which she continues to expand upon in her current role.
Ms. Ellis oversees all operational aspects of CMRRA’s business, a major focus of which includes the specifications and overall vision and direction for our team as they work to convert all data and lines of business over to the new Licensing and Distribution System (LDS). Lori was a lead player in defining the first-ever implementation of the DDEX MWL message suite that is now in use with the major Canadian record companies. She also oversaw the scheduling and conversion efforts that resulted in CMRRA’s recent first distribution of broadcast mechanical royalties using LDS.
Over the next year she looks forward to completing the conversion activities for the remaining lines of business still functioning in CMRRA’s legacy systems. In the near future, licensing for Independent Labels will be launched in LDS, along with integration of the CWR (Common Works Registration) process. In addition, Lori is also eagerly anticipating the full release of the CSI Claims web site, through which rights holders will be able to electronically submit ownership claims against royalties that have been paid into the Licensing Trust. Other areas also being developed for release this year are a new and improved version of CMRRA Direct, and internal processing to automate the release of money held in suspense, and the process for licensing and invoicing of digital online services. Immensely proud of the development efforts that have been completed thus far, Lori believes that the LDS system has begun, and will continue to, deliver far greater automation and process improvements for CMRRA.
Lori feels extremely fortunate for the opportunities afforded throughout her years at CMRRA for growth and learning in an environment of constant change, alongside of a particularly fantastic team of people. CMRRA has evolved significantly in the course of its 40 years of licensing, such as with the development of its digital licensing business over 10 years ago. With people like Lori working behind the scenes, CMRRA has stayed at the forefront of the music industry, servicing the evolving licensing landscape in order to continue its ongoing commitment to customer service for its music publisher clients.
Lori appreciates all genres of music, but particularly enjoys the intense lyrical passion and vocal ability of Sara Bareilles, and the songwriting abilities and straight up rock-and-roll chops of fellow east-coast-natives, Sloan. Lori is a hardworking mother of two boys, with hobbies that include baking and a passion for interior design. She is also dedicated to fitness and a healthy lifestyle, and has recently taken up Karate, with the hopes of someday achieving a black belt.
