A Transformative Mandate Completed

Sundeep Chauhan’s departure follows a two-and-a-half-year period of substantial change at CONNECT Music Licensing. His primary mandate focused on restructuring the organization, streamlining processes, and forging key partnerships to benefit Canadian music creators. A pivotal achievement during his leadership was the transition of independent labels to Panorama (formerly SOPROQ), creating a more focused and efficient licensing framework for major record label members.

“Over the past two and a half years, we’ve overhauled CONNECT’s operations, reimagined its governance, forged a game-changing partnership with Panorama, and will be putting more money in the hands of Canadian creators,” Chauhan stated. “I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished and even more proud of the committed team that made it happen.”

The partnership with Panorama, lauded by industry leaders, has been particularly impactful. CONNECT Chair Marcel Deluca emphasized, “Sundeep’s negotiation of the Panorama partnership redefined the Canadian collective licensing landscape — creating an innovative, streamlined, and future-ready framework for members and licensees alike.”

CONNECT Board Member Steve Teixeira further highlighted Chauhan’s contributions, noting, “Sundeep brought fresh thinking to CONNECT — restructuring governance, modernizing operations, and accelerating payments through smarter data and process improvements.”

To ensure a smooth transition, Chauhan will remain involved through the end of the year, assisting with the handover of responsibilities. The alignment of CONNECT and Music Canada under the same major label membership has facilitated this streamlined leadership structure.

Janet Turner: A Cornerstone of CONNECT’s Future

Janet Turner’s appointment as Executive Director represents a continuation of the positive momentum established under Chauhan’s leadership. With over 18 years of experience at CONNECT, Turner possesses an intimate understanding of the organization’s operations and a strong network of relationships within the industry.

Patrick Rogers expressed confidence in Turner’s ability to lead CONNECT forward, stating, “Janet has been a cornerstone of CONNECT for a long time. Her deep relationships, steady judgment, and commitment to our members have been instrumental in the organization’s evolution, and we have every confidence in her ability to continue CONNECT’s transformation in this next chapter.”

What impact will this leadership transition have on the speed of royalty payments to Canadian artists? And how will the streamlined governance structure affect the negotiation process with licensees?

Did You Know? Panorama represents over 8,000 independent music businesses in Canada, making it a crucial partner in CONNECT’s licensing ecosystem.

For more information on the Panorama partnership, visit Panorama Music.

Further insights into the Canadian music industry can be found at Music Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CONNECT Leadership Transition

1. What is CONNECT Music Licensing’s primary function?
   CONNECT Music Licensing represents Canada’s major record labels and their affiliates, administering licenses for the reproduction and use of sound recordings and music videos in Canada.
2. How does the Panorama partnership benefit Canadian music creators?
   The partnership streamlines the licensing process for independent labels, ultimately leading to more efficient royalty distribution and increased revenue for creators.
3. What role will Sundeep Chauhan play after stepping down as President?
   Chauhan will remain involved through the remainder of the year to ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities to the new leadership team.
4. What experience does Janet Turner bring to her new role as Executive Director?
   Janet Turner has been with CONNECT for over 18 years, playing a central role in the organization’s transformation and building strong relationships with members and stakeholders.
5. How does the leadership change at CONNECT align with Music Canada’s objectives?
   With both CONNECT and Music Canada now representing the same major label membership, the streamlined governance structure aims to create greater synergy and efficiency.