By Isabelle Speerin
The most influential people in music publishing are rarely the ones standing closest to the stage. More often, they are the ones behind the scenes, designing programmes, opening doors, and ensuring the next generation understands how music publishing actually works. At Music Publishers Canada (MPC), Laura Holtebrinck is doing exactly that as the Manager of Communications and Sponsorships.
At its core, Holtebrinck’s work is about building industry literacy. She helps emerging professionals understand the publishing landscape, their place within it, and how to build sustainable careers over time. It’s work she approaches with intention and care. “I love the music publishing industry as a whole in Canada,” she reveals. “I genuinely feel like I’m contributing something positive with my work.”
While Holtebrinck contributes to a range of Music Publishers Canada’s flagship initiatives, she loves supporting the Women in the Studio National Accelerator. Led by MPC’s Kim Temple, and Miya Strauss, the six-month program supports women and non-binary songwriters and producers through mentorship, training, and an in-person residency in Toronto. For Holtebrinck, the program’s real value lies in what happens beyond the sessions, particularly the long-term relationships and mentorship that continue after the program ends. “It’s not just about the week in Toronto,” she explains. “It’s about teaching skills, building networks and helping participants understand how the industry actually works.” In her communications role, she also helps ensure participants are recognized and that the program’s impact is shared with the wider industry.
Her major focus, NXTGen, is aimed further upstream to future publishers. Designed to support junior-level professionals at MPC member companies, as well as those looking to launch publishing companies or build careers in the sector, NXTGen provides a space to learn, network, and build community and leadership skills. Through panels, events, and direct access to established publishers, participants gain insight into the business and where they fit within it. “We really believe they’re the next generation of music publishers,” Holtebrinck says. “So, we want to make sure they have the tools to go where they need to go.”
Holtebrinck grew up primarily in Germany before moving to Canada during high school and was raised in a creative household that nurtured an early interest in music, film, and culture. She later studied contemporary studies and sociology at the University of King’s College in Halifax, with a minor in film, before completing a postgraduate certificate in arts administration and cultural management at Toronto’s Humber Polytechnic.
Post-graduation roles in arts and culture administration, including working with a Canadian film festival and later in the music‑tech space, exposed her to the business side of music and introduced her to music publishing – an industry she hadn’t previously considered. “Once I started learning about music publishing, I became really fascinated by it,” she said. When a role at Music Publishers Canada appeared, it was a natural next step, and she has been working in music publishing ever since.
Mentorship has played a defining role in her career thanks to MPC CEO Margaret McGuffin, who has created space for Holtebrinck to step into more visible industry roles. “Margaret has been amazing at giving me opportunities to grow and learn, and to step into new challenges and responsibilities,” she said. Those opportunities, including moderating panels, speaking on behalf of publishers, and representing the sector at industry events, have helped Holtebrinck build confidence while contributing to broader industry conversations.
Holtebrinck pays close attention to how generational change is influencing music publishing. “I’m in my mid-30s and talking to somebody who’s 22 – they have a totally different relationship to technology,” she says. As emerging technologies, including AI, continue to reshape the industry, she believes a diversity of voices and perspectives must be at the table. She also encourages those entering publishing to stay curious and invest in authentic connection.
Music publishing rewards patience, foresight, and a long view. Through initiatives like NXTGen, and by prioritizing education, access, and mentorship, Holtebrinck is helping create pathways for the next generation of publishing professionals.
