This month’s In House features Marianne Anderson, CMRRA’s Publisher Relations Manager. Learn more about the woman who has been supporting our clients for over 26 years, her experiences attending events post-lock down, and the impact music has on her life.
You’ve been with CMRRA for over 26 years, incredible! Can you tell us what it means to be the Publisher Relations Manager?
I can’t believe that 26 years have passed. The short answer to your question is that it’s my responsibility to ensure our clients are happy. Of course, it’s more than that, but providing great service is at the root of what I do. I try to adopt the viewpoint of our music publisher and songwriter clients and factor their perspective into the equation. Having worked in most departments at CMRRA, I have a solid understanding of our processes and how reproduction rights work. I often assist with complicated and unique situations. I also aim to educate our clients and ensure they’re maximizing potential revenue by ensuring they’ve affiliated for all business lines, and they’ve submitted all of their publishing claims. This is an industry that continually evolves and believe it or not, I’m still learning after all these years! It also helps that I’m surrounded by music lovers, songwriters and artists at CMRRA. We share a common goal of quickly and efficiently getting money into the hands of rightsholders.
You’re a familiar face to many of our music publisher clients! What is your favourite part about building special relationships with CMRRA’s clients?
As one of the veterans at CMRRA, it means that I’ve be fortunate to know many our clients for 25+ years and some of them feel like old friends. I’m a helper at heart, so I draw satisfaction from helping people. I may be the first call for someone who is beginning their journey of learning about this side of the business, or I may be the person they’re connecting with on more complex issues. Either way, my goal is to share information about how CMRRA can assist, outline the next steps and to point them in the right direction if they should also connect with other organizations. I always encourage clients to reach out to us with questions or difficulties they may be facing. We’re an ally and someone they can trust to have their best interests in mind. I’ve encountered many characters and interesting situations over the years, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What has it been like attending events post lockdown?
While I eased back into industry events carefully, it felt great to reconnect with industry folks and meet new people. The first big event I attended was Canadian Music Week (CMW) here in Toronto. Many others seemed to feel the same way as me…it was like a homecoming. One of the highlights of CMW was listening to Chuck D speak. Wow! I remarked that if there was a church of Chuck D, I would be a member of the congregation. If you ever get the opportunity to hear him speak, take it. Now that in person events have been returning, I’m hoping to have more opportunities to connect with our clients across Canada and in the United States face-to-face.
Beyond CMRRA, does music play a large part in your life?
I can’t imagine life without music. My parents are primarily responsible for my love of music, as I was raised in an environment where music was deeply rooted in everyday life. I have a large extended family and it wasn’t uncommon for a spontaneous jam to form or see everyone crowded around the piano singing. Once I discovered that I could work in the music industry when I was a teenager, I had tunnel vision. Plans to be a teacher or a lawyer flew out the window! I was successful in being accepted into the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College and I was thankful for the opportunity to learn from some incredible people. We’ve lost a number of my mentors in recent years (Terry McManus, Jack Richardson, Jan Greene and Bill Seddon), but the lessons they taught me have been invaluable. I’m also a huge fan of live music. If my bank account could support it, I would attend at least one concert a week and I would stand right in front of the stage (except when there is a mosh pit). I love the experience of a live performance and I was so happy to finally get back to seeing shows this year. Anyone who knows me well knows that my musical tastes vary greatly. While Pink Floyd, Neil Young and Band of Horses are a few of my favourite artists, I’m a massive fan of metal and hard rock. I can only imagine what my daughters are thinking when Mom and Dad are blasting Slayer, Iron Maiden and Metallica. I hope music brings as much enjoyment to my daughters’ lives as it has brought to mine.
Thinking about becoming a client of CMRRA? Already a client but you have questions? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you the answers you need.
