ACTRA PRS Annual Report

Transcription

ACTRA PRS Annual Report
ACTRA PRS
Annual Report
2014 | 2015
WE’RE HERE TO SERVE YOU BETTER
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
Contents
Highlights 2014 | 15
1
Messages from your Leadership
2
ACTRA PRS Claims
8
Working for You
10
Reaching Out: Beyond Borders
11
ACTRA PRS Hall of Fame
12
ACTRA PRS Production Payout
13
ACTRA PRS Direct Deposit
14
Stunt Performers
17
Minors’ Trust
18
Financial Assurances
19
ACTRA RACS
20
Financials26
Your Leadership and Staff
28
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national
organization of professional performers working in the English-language
recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of 22,000 members
across the country, the foundation of Canada’s highly acclaimed professional
performing community.
ACTRA Performers’ Rights Society is a division of ACTRA. There are two
departments at ACTRA PRS with a clear mission to track the exploitation of the
finished product and secure monies owing to performers: ACTRA PRS Claims
collects monies on behalf of audiovisual artists and ACTRA Recording Artists’
Collecting Society on works for audio artists.
ACTRA PRS Claims collects and disburses Use Fees, royalties, residuals and all
other forms of remuneration arising from productions under ACTRA’s collective
agreements and statutory rights for audiovisual artists.
ACTRA RACS is the leading performer collective management organization (CMO)
in Canada. For over 10 years, it has been collecting and distributing money to
sound recording artists from tariffs established by Canada’s Copyright Act.
Bringing your money home. To you. That’s what we do.
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
ACTRA PRS
Highlights
2014 | 2015
ACTRA PRS DISBURSEMENTS
MONEY
DISBURSED
$13,098,937
NUMBER OF ACTRA PRS CLAIMS
CHEQUES MAILED
44,718
NUMBER OF ARTISTS
SIGNED ON FOR DIRECT DEPOSIT
2,820
ACTRA RACS
Highlights
2014 | 2015
ACTRA RACS DISBURSEMENTS
ALL
TARIFFS
$8,331,505
PRIVATE
COPYING
$665,415
REPRESENTED ARTISTS
5,691
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
A Message from your President
Ferne Downey
Over the past year at ACTRA PRS and ACTRA RACS,
we have continued to make big changes to serve YOU
better – the introduction of direct deposit, a new Use
Fee system, and an increase in administration staff,
to name a few! We’ve also introduced a new feature
on our website – Most Recent Productions Paid Out
by ACTRA PRS – which allows you, agents and ACTRA
branches to check what monies have been distributed
by ACTRA PRS on a month-to-month basis.
ACTRA’s leadership continues to support our
performance rights internationally through the
promotion of the Beijing Treaty. Adopted by the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2012,
the Treaty protects the intellectual property rights of
audiovisual artists by ensuring we are compensated
fairly for our work and it is not distorted or used in any
way that is harmful to our reputations.
While the Treaty has been signed by countries
around the world, Canada continues to lag behind
in its commitment. As National president of ACTRA
and, president of the International Federation of
Actors (FIA), I believe we must all work together
to encourage the Canadian government to sign
and ratify the Treaty. The same protection that
audio artists currently enjoy under the Copyright Act
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
should be extended to audiovisual artists. It’s time for
Canada to get on board and provide this protection
to Canadian performers under the Copyright Act when
it undergoes review in 2017.
I was again delighted to lend my voice on World
Intellectual Property Day to this end. The theme this
year was “Get up, stand up. For music.”. You can check
out my World IP Day video at actra.ca.
We’re excited about what we’ve achieved this past
year and what is still come – all to serve you better
so you can continue to do what you do best with the
knowledge and comfort that you’re protected.
In solidarity,
Ferne Downey
President
ACTRA National, ACTRA PRS, ACTRA RACS
@fernedowney
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
A
A Message
Message from
from your
your President
National Executive Director
For more than 22 years as ACTRA’s chief negotiator,
I’ve had the pleasure of serving you – ACTRA PRS
and ACTRA RACS artists – by bargaining some of
the strongest collective agreements in the world
to ensure you have the best protection and fair
compensation.
Stephen Waddell
4
More of you are being paid for your performances
than ever before thanks to the growing number of
signed international agreements by ACTRA PRS and
ACTRA RACS. These agreements ensure we remain
competitive in an increasingly global industry. We
also continue to protect minors through the ACTRA
PRS-administered Minors’ Trust, serving artists under
the age of 18. Creating open lines of communication
between ACTRA PRS and parents ensures the ongoing
protection of our growing Canadian talent and the
future of our industry.
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
The ACTRA PRS and ACTRA RACS teams are here to
serve YOU better by finding new ways to get your
money to you faster! Our fourth annual report will
take you through some of the improvements we’ve
made and those to come to ensure you collect all
the monies you are owed regardless of where your
performance is aired and where you happen to be.
In solidarity,
Stephen Waddell
National Executive Director
ACTRA National, ACTRA PRS, ACTRA RACS
@waddellstephen
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
A
A Message
Message from
from your
your President
Director
Here at ACTRA PRS and ACTRA RACS, we continue
to look for better ways to serve YOU – the ongoing
negotiation of international agreements, fast and
efficient ways to get you your money and our new Use
Fee database are just some examples of our ongoing
commitment to serving you more efficiently.
Brad Keenan
We’re happy to announce that we’re also growing –
we’ve added two more administrators to our ACTRA
RACS team, plus an international coordinator who
focuses exclusively on collecting monies owed to
artists from international markets. We’ve also seen an
increase in our ACTRA RACS registered artists to almost
5,700 in Canada and abroad.
On an international level, our screen-based industry
continues to expand its borders – our work is being
broadcast and streamed to an ever-growing global
audience. This is why the relationships and reciprocal
agreements signed by ACTRA PRS are expanding
to new international markets. In fact, thanks to
these international agreements, we were able to
distribute more money to you last year than ever
before. These new revenue streams are monitored by
ACTRA PRS staff who continue to work diligently to
collect payments for the use of your work.
Our fourth annual report will take you through all
of the work we’ve done over the past year to ensure
you’re getting paid the money you are owed from the
use of your work across Canada and around the world.
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www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
If you haven’t yet signed up for direct deposit,
make sure to check out the upcoming changes to
our direct deposit system so you’re all set for the
March 1, 2016, deadline when we’ll be eliminating
monthly cheque runs (we’ll be moving to a yearly
cheque run). Additionally, we’re excited to tell you
that direct deposit is now available to U.S. financial
institutions to U.S.-based artists. Direct deposit is
initially only available for film and television artists.
Direct deposit for ACTRA RACS artists will be made
available in 2016.
We’re continually looking for ways to serve you better
so we hope this report helps explain a bit about what
we do for you. If there is anything that you would
like clarity on, or for more information, please call
me at the office at +416.644.1502 or on my mobile at
+416.670.6670.
Sincerely,
Brad Keenan
Director
ACTRA PRS, ACTRA RACS
@bradkeenan
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
ACTRA PRS CLAIMS
Working for you. And with you.
When an artist performs under an ACTRA agreement, payment comes in two
forms: for the work at the time of production, and for the future exploitation of the
finished product.
ACTRA stewards in branches across the country ensure that the first payment is
done properly: checking time sheets, and ensuring rehearsals and overtime have
been paid.
But what about the back-end? That’s where ACTRA PRS comes in.
ACTRA PRS makes sure you get the money you’re owed when your work is
distributed – no matter where and how it’s seen.
Since being incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1983, ACTRA PRS has
paid millions of dollars in Use Fees to artists. Over the past 13 years, ACTRA PRS
has mailed out 493,483 cheques, putting $98 million directly in artists’ pockets.
In 2014-15 alone, ACTRA PRS distributed more than 44,718 cheques to artists
totalling more than $13 million.
We remain true to our mission: tracking down the money you are owed and
getting it to you quickly. We have professional staff and systems in place to track
your work and Use Fees, and get tough with negligent producers.
Bringing your money home is a tricky business, especially when the money is due
from use outside of Canada. We’ve developed strong working relationships with
our sister unions and collective management organizations around the globe
through our membership in the International Federation of Actors (FIA) and
Societies Council for the Collective Management of Performers’ Rights (SCAPR).
And we are building the international tools to help collect money owed to you
wherever your work is shown.
We at ACTRA PRS keep getting better at what we do. We won’t be satisfied until
we’ve met our goal of collecting every penny artists are owed. We’ll keep digging
and pushing until we succeed.
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www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS AND ACTRA RACS
ARE BRINGING YOUR MONEY HOME TO YOU BY…
•Transitioning to a new computer Use Fees System (UFS) in March 2015.
The new system provides a more streamlined approach to achieve greater
efficiencies in collecting and distributing monies;
•Developing the first phase of a new ACTRA RACS database, ARTS 2.0;
•Working closely with the stunt community including appointment of a dedicated
stunt liaison and a stunt community communication, outreach and advocacy
liaison;
•Moving to direct deposit for artist payments. You will be provided with an electronic
cheque report outlining where the money comes from when a direct deposit is
made. Effective March 1, 2016, unless you are receiving your money through direct
deposit, there will only be one physical cheque run per year;
•Making direct deposit available to U.S. financial institutions to U.S.-based artists;
•Moving to paperless for ACTRA RACS online registrations;
•Providing up-to-date information on the Minors’ Trust, including new online access
for parents, guardians and minors; issuance of tax slips each calendar year; and an
alert to parents by ACTRA PRS staff regarding any payments over $10,000 that are
to be received by a minor upon reaching the age of 18;
•Providing options to redirect Use Fee payments where you want them – to you,
your representative, Creative Arts Savings & Credit Union (CASCU) or another
financial institution;
•Offering members guidance in estate planning including completing beneficiary
paperwork to redirect funds efficiently and accurately;
•Adding“Most Recent Productions Paid Out by ACTRA PRS” feature to ACTRA PRS
website, which allows performers, agents and ACTRA branches to see what titles
ACTRA PRS distributes on a month by month basis.
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
WORKING
A Message FOR
fromYOU
your President
How we bring your money home. To you.
1. ACTRA PRS
CLAIMS OFFICER
REQUESTS
REPORTING FROM
THE PRODUCER
2. CLAIMS OFFICER
STAYS ON TOP OF
PRODUCER UNTIL
REPORTING IS
PROVIDED
3. PRODUCER
SENDS REPORTING
OF SALES AND
ANY FUNDS OWED
TO ARTISTS TO
ACTRA PRS
4. ACTRA PRS
CLAIMS STAFF
CONFIRMS
REPORTING,
PROCESSES ANY
FUNDS OWED
AND BEGINS
DISBURSEMENT
PROCESS
5. ACTRA PRS
CLAIMS STAFF
PROCESSES
THOUSANDS OF
PAYMENTS FROM
SALES SHARES AND
DISTRIBUTES TO
ARTISTS IN TIMELY
FASHION
For more
information about
the fees you get
for the use of your
work, visit
http://www.actra.
ca/main/prs/usefee-payments/
INTERNATIONAL RECIPROCAL
AGREEMENTS
ACTRA PRS continues to negotiate
international reciprocal agreements
for audio and audiovisual works.
Audiovisual agreements have been
signed with Spain, Colombia, Peru and
the United Kingdom, with an additional
eight new agreements with other
countries currently in negotiation.
Ten new audio agreements have been
signed with countries such as Germany
and France.
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www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
REACHING OUT: Beyond Borders
NEW MEDIA
ACTRA agreements ensure artists are compensated for the use of their work on
ALL screens, big, small and mobile. Many ACTRA artists are now enjoying Use Fee
payments from New Media sales. In fact, many artists are now seeing payment
for use in New Media within the four-year prepayment period, given that ACTRA’s
IPA ensures artists receive payment from first dollar for any use of product in New
Media. Here are a few recent examples:
SMURFS (2012)
In 2014, 46 artists shared approximately $90,000 in
Use Fee payments for distribution in New Media.
RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE (2010)
In 2014, 82 artists shared in approximately $72,000
in Use Fee payments for distribution in New Media.
NATIONAL FILM BOARD
WHITE HOUSE DOWN (2012)
Use Fee payments for distribution in New Media
amounted to approximately $71,000 shared by
201 artists in 2014.
The NFB continues to
lead the way in New
Media by digitizing its
archives and launching
a video-on-demand
program in collaboration with CanadaScreens.ca in
2015. Since launching its vast collection of awardwinning productions and documentaries online, artists
have shared in almost $600,000 thanks to a whole
new generation of audience members who otherwise
might not been exposed to this work. As a result of
this initiative, eight artists have shared in $5,200 for
Paper Wheat (1979) while 20 artists have shared in
approximately $11,000 for Places Not Our Own (1986).
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
ACTRA PRS Hall of Fame
ACTRA PRS is also happy to share the long-term success of Canadian television
production both here at home and internationally – it just so happens that
Canadian children’s shows appear to have ongoing interest from audiences
around the world! The titles listed below – some of which originally began airing
almost 15 years ago – are considered our ‘Hall of Famers’ for their broadcast
longevity, which translates into ongoing income sources for ACTRA PRS artists.
Sue Thomas F.B. Eye (2002-2004): to date, 627 artists have shared in $556,000 in Use Fee
payments for their work.
Latest Buzz (2007-2008): Use Fee payments for this animated production have totalled
$96,000 shared by 151 artists to date.
Super Why (2004-2014): to date, 171 artists have shared in $153,000 in Use Fee payments for this
animated production.
The Societies’ Council for the
Collective Management of
Performers’ Rights (SCAPR) is the
international body that represents
the collective management
organizations (CMOs) responsible
for promoting the co-operation
between countries when
exchanging monies across borders.
Brad Keenan, Director of ACTRA
PRS and ACTRA RACS, sits on the
board of SCAPR as Chairman.
ACTRA is looking forward to
hosting delegates from all over
the world in Toronto for the
SCAPR General Assembly from
May 24 to 27, 2016.
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www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
NEW! WANT TO SEE WHAT PRODUCTIONS
HAVE BEEN PAID OUT? CHECK OUT THE
ACTRA PRS WEBSITE TODAY.
ACTRA PRS has updated its website with a new feature
allowing artists, agents and ACTRA branches to see which
productions ACTRA PRS has paid out each month.
Artists and agents are invited to visit the ACTRA PRS
homepage and click on the text “Most Recent Productions
Paid Out by ACTRA PRS”. They will be taken to a new page
that lists the months in which payments were made to
artists. By clicking on a specific month, artists and agents can
view an alphabetical list of all titles disbursed that month.
This feature allows artists and agents to see what
productions were disbursed, so they can track payments.
It also helps branches stay informed about the payments
artists are receiving and track which productions from their
region are making money for the artists they represent.
Just another way ACTRA PRS is working to serve you better!
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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Photo credit: Duane Dickinson
FAST
TRACK
YO U R P R S PAY M E N T S !
Laura Lee Connery
Stunt performer/
stunt driver
Sign up for
Direct Deposit today.
ACTRA Performers’ Rights Society is
switching gears! Sign up for direct deposit
now at actra.ca/prs. Save some trees and
know that you’ll get your money faster
and directly into your account. Effective
March 1, 2016, unless you are receiving your
money through direct deposit, there will
only be one physical cheque run per year.
If you receive your cheques through your
agent, don’t worry as TAMAC agents are
on board.
Photo credit: Postmedia News
Questions? Email us at prs@actra.ca
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
about the direct deposit of your ACTRA PRS money
When do I need to sign up for direct deposit?
The sooner, the better. As of March 1, 2016, ACTRA PRS will be reducing physical
cheque runs to one time per year. Until then, we’ll be working hard to ensure as
many artists as possible are signed up for direct deposit. We’re here to help. And
it’s quick and easy to sign up!
My ACTRA PRS cheques go directly to my agent. Will that change?
Not at all. If your ACTRA PRS cheques come to you via your agent, no need to take
any action. TAMAC agencies are on board and we’re rolling out a plan to have your
cheques directly deposited to your agent by the end of summer 2015. The only
thing that will change is that the payments will be deposited electronically into
your agent’s account, eliminating the paper cheque. We are working closely with
agents to make sure this transition is seamless. In the meantime, if your ACTRA
PRS cheque goes to your agent, don’t worry about signing up for direct deposit.
Will I know if my money has been deposited?
Definitely! Here’s how direct deposit works:
#1 ACTRA PRS collects your money.
#2 ACTRA PRS deposits your money directly from its account into your account.
#3 Within about three days, you will get an email confirming that a deposit has
taken place, along with an attached report with all the details. Et voila!
Why is direct deposit (to CASCU or other financial institutions) so important?
First, you get your money faster. But you also get your money cheaper. Did you
know it costs ACTRA PRS about $10 each time it issues a cheque? By signing up
for direct deposit you’re helping us cut needless administrative costs dramatically.
This then permits us to direct those savings back into tracking and collecting the
money you are owed.
Has anyone already signed up for direct deposit?
Since ACTRA PRS launched direct deposit in October 2010, 2,820 artists have
signed up. That’s allowed us to process 23,572 direct payments to artists, totalling
over $4.5 million net.
Can I receive direct deposit payments into my U.S. bank account?
Yes! ACTRA PRS can provide payments to both Canadian and U.S. financial
institutions.
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
Direct
Deposit
“
Signing up for direct deposit was
the easiest decision I made – not
only does it get my money to
me faster, but I’ve also linked
my payments to my Creative
Arts Savings and Credit Union
(CASCU) account to make
managing my money even easier.
And I’m still kept up-to-date with
what I’m getting paid for from
the email I’m sent after each
direct deposit is made!
“
Angelica Lisk-Hann
Stunt coordinator/stunt performer
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www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
ACTRA PRS WORKING WITH…
Stunt Performers
NEW!
CASTINGSTUNTS.ca
For that reason, ACTRA PRS has designated a staff person as
Stunt Liaison – a ‘one-stop-shop’ for stunt performers looking for
information. Got a question? Email stuntliaison@actra.ca; or call
416.644.1510 to speak with your Stunt Liaison.
Another important connection between ACTRA PRS and the stunt
community is Tania Cardwell, our dedicated Stunt Community
Communication, Outreach and Advocacy Liaison. Tania is the
community’s direct representative at ACTRA PRS and has full
access, cooperation and freedom to research and investigate any
issues that are brought to her attention.
Tania Cardwell can be reached at 416.995.5227 (or toll-free
1.800.387.3516 ext. 4042) or by email tc@taniacardwell.com.
Tania will bring any issues directly to ACTRA PRS for investigation.
Photo credit: StuntList
ACTRA PRS is excited that
its ACTRA stunt members
now have their own casting
database! ACTRA developed
CastingStunts.ca – a space
where stunt coordinators
can seek out professional
stunt talent. Some conditions
do apply, for example,
performers need to have a
minimum of six stunt credits
under their belts to register.
Check it out today!
Stunt performers are an integral part of the ACTRA PRS family.
They help create great TV and film. Every day.
Stunt performers Lauro Chartrand and Ed Anders
in a scene from the True Justice TV series
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
MINORS’ TRUST:
Working for our Young Artists
ACTRA youth artists
and parents of youth
artists, should you have
any questions about
the Trust please contact
Patricia Lanca at
planca@actra.ca or
416.489.1311 ext.5022.
Protecting the unique interests of young artists is taken seriously at ACTRA. That’s
why a Trust was created for minors in 1999 to ensure that after their initial $5,000
of earnings, a minimum of 25 per cent of a young artist’s earnings is still waiting
for them when they turn 18.
ACTRA PRS is very proud of the Minors’ Trust. We know how vulnerable young
artists are and this is just another example of how we are here to serve our artists
better. Together we are saving for our artists’ futures.
“
As a parent with a child in ‘the business’, it’s up to me to ensure my daughter is
protected not just today, but in the future. ACTRA’s carefully-negotiated agreements
contain strong protections for child performers that include hours worked, tutoring
and safety on set. Her financial future is also protected thanks to ACTRA PRS’s ‘Minors’
Trust’. I am thankful to know that ACTRA is only a phone call away if
either of us get into trouble on set.
“
Photo: Toby Humphreys Photography
The current market value of the Minors’ Trust is over $6 million. That’s money “in
the bank” for our young artists.
Tia Forsythe
Mother of actor
Fiona Forsythe
Now parents, minors or
guardians can access their
trust information online.
Contact CASCU for more
information at
info@creativeartscu.com,
phone 1.877.643.3660 or visit
www.creativeartscu.com/prs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
FINANCIAL ASSURANCES:
HELPING TO PROTECT ARTISTS
We are often asked what insurance there is against a
producer declaring bankruptcy or going belly-up before they
have paid artists. Well, that’s where ‘Financial Assurances’
come in.
In the IPA, producers are required to execute something
called a “Security Agreement”. In legal terms, that’s a
contract that “provides an interest in personal property that
secures payment of an obligation”. The obligation, in ACTRA’s
world, is the payment of Use Fees that become due from the
exploitation – or re-use – of a production.
Why should you care about Security Agreements? Because
they allow ACTRA PRS to register a claim of personal
property in the province of the producer’s head office, the
province where the production is being shot and in Ontario,
where ACTRA PRS is based. This registration is made against
the producer’s property to guarantee ACTRA PRS’s position
should the producer become financially non-viable and
declare bankruptcy. In the 2014/ 2015 fiscal year, ACTRA
PRS registered 632 security registrations.
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
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ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
ACTRA RECORDING ARTISTS’ COLLECTING SOCIETY
WHAT IS ACTRA RACS
It is a not-for-profit
organization that has
distributed over $62.5 million
to the thousands of artists
it represents in Canada
and abroad. The artists it
represents span all genres and
range from session musicians
to featured vocalists, emerging
artists to household names.
As a division of ACTRA,
the national organization
Brad Keenan and Ferne Downey - #We ValueMusic
of 22,000 professional
performers working in recorded media, we at ACTRA RACS understand the need
to protect and develop the rights of artists. We value music and exist to ensure that
recording artists are paid fairly for their work.
WHAT WE DO
The Copyright Act of Canada states that recording artists are entitled to be paid
when their recordings are broadcast or played in public. We at ACTRA RACS have
the privilege of ensuring that this money gets into your hands.
The ACTRA RACS team is committed to making it easy for you to collect royalties
for your work. Whether calculating payments, researching lineups or answering
questions, our goal is to improve the service that we provide to you. We work hard
so that you can spend more time doing what you do best: making great music.
As a leading member of SCAPR (scapr.org), ACTRA RACS is engaged internationally.
We at ACTRA RACS strive to develop new relationships with collectives around the
world so we can continue developing your rights and maximizing your revenues.
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www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
Photo credit: Tom Hope
ACTRA RACS (Recording Artists’ Collecting Society) is the leading performer
collective management organization in Canada dedicated to collecting and
distributing neighbouring rights and private copying royalties to recording artists.
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
ACTRA RACS INTERNATIONAL
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2014/2015
FISCAL YEAR
WHAT WE PAY
We at ACTRA RACS distribute monies that
are based on neighbouring rights tariffs
and the private copying levy.
Tariffs result in licence fees that are
charged for the use of recorded music
in public and broadcast on radio. An
example of the use of recorded music
in public is music played in retail stores.
Examples of broadcast on radio include
plays on CBC or streaming radio.
Private copying monies stem from the
levy applied to certain types of blank
media, such as CDs.
In addition to domestic royalties,
ACTRA RACS also collects from over 30
organizations worldwide to ensure that
you are paid for your plays internationally.
Thanks to Canadian artists’ strong
presence on international charts and
ACTRA RACS’s increasing relationships
with foreign collective management
organizations (CMOs), artists will see an
increase in the amount of remuneration
being distributed by ACTRA RACS from
funds collected by foreign CMOs.
•Signed 10 new agreements,
PLAYRIGHT (Belgium), EEL (Estonia),
SPEDIDAM (France), GVL (Germany),
ITSRIGHT (Italy), LAIPA (Latvia),
AGATA (Lithuania), SLOVGRAM
(Slovakia), ZAVOD IPF (Slovenia)
and FKMP (South Korea), bringing
the total to over 30 international
agreements that have been signed
by ACTRA RACS for artists;
•First distribution of funds collected
from ADAMI (France) and GDA
(Portugal) to ACTRA RACS artists;
•Continued to play a role in
developing best practices in artist
rights management through
participation in SCAPR working
groups (Technical Work Group,
Rights Administration Working
Group and Legal Working Group);
•Constantly updating audio and
audiovisual artists’ information in
SCAPR’s international databases to
ensure artists are identified globally
when money is owed to them.
Being a recording artist today takes a
lot of work. ACTRA RACS is here to help
you manage your rights and allow you
more time to continue recording music.
It’s free to register with ACTRA RACS, so
register today and start getting paid for
your plays.
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
21
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
THANK YOU
ACTRA RACS!
“
“ACTRA RACS has always taken
care of me as an artist through
my career at every level. Having
them collecting my rights as a
performer allows me to go on
stage every night and do what I
love to do, and get compensated
at the same time.
“
Dallas Smith
Canadian singer-songwriter
22
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
ACTRA RACS HAS RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS AROUND THE GLOBE
Albania: AKDIE (Agjensia e Administrimit Kolektiv e te Artisteve Interpretues/Ekzekutues) • http://www.akdie.org
Belgium: PLAYRIGHT • http://www.playright.be
Brazil: ABRAMUS (Associacao Brasslera De Musica E Artes) • http://www.abramus.org.br
Croatia: HUZIP (Croatian Performers’ Right Collective Society) • http://www.huzip.hr
Denmark: GRAMEX Denmark • http://www.gramex.dk
Estonia: EEL (Estonian Performers Association) • http://www.eel.ee
Finland: GRAMEX Finland (Copyright Society of Performing Artists and Phonogram Producers in Finland) • http://www.gramex.fi
France: ADAMI (Société civile pour l’administration des Droits des Artistes et Musiciens interprètes) • http://www.adami.fr
France: SPEDIDAM (Société de Perception et de Distribution des Droits des Artistes-Interprètes) • http://www.spedidam.fr
Germany: GVL (Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten mbH) • https://www.gvl.de
Greece: APOLLON (Music Rights Organisation Management) • http://www.apollon.org.gr
Hungary: EJI (Association of the Arts Unions Bureau for the Protection of Performers’ Rights) • https://www.eji.hu
Ireland: RAAP (Recorded Artists Actors Performers) • http://www.raap.ie
Italy: Nuovo IMAIE (New Institute for the mutual protection of the rights of Performing Artists) • http://www.nuovoimaie.it
Italy: ITSRIGHT • http://itsright.it/en
Japan: GEIDANKYO/CPRA (Japan Council of Performers’ Organizations) • http://www.geidankyo.or.jp
Latvia: LAIPA (Latvijas Izpildītāju un producentu apvienība) • http://www.laipa.org
Lithuania: AGATA (Lithuanian Neighbouring Rights Association) • http://www.agata.lt/en
Mexico: ANDI (Asociación Nacional de Intérpretes) • http://www.andi.com.mx
Netherlands: SENA (Stichting ter Exploitatie van Naburige Rechten) • http://www.sena.nl
Norway: GRAMO (Musikernes, Artistenes OG Plateselskapenes Vederlagsbyra • http://www.gramo.no
Portugal: GDA (Management Rights Artists, Performers) • http://www.gda.pt
Russia: VOIS (Russian Organization for Intellectual Property, Collective Management of the Performers’ and Phonogram Producers’
Rights) • http://www.rosvois.ru
Serbia: PI (Prava Interpretatora) • http://www.pravainterpretatora.org
Slovakia: SLOVGRAM (Independent Company of Performers and Producers Audio and Audio-Visual Recordings)
• http://www.slovgram.sk
Slovenia: ZAVOD IPF (Zavod za uveljavljanje pravic izvajalcev in proizvajalcev fonogramov Slovenije) • https://www.ipf.si
South Korea: FKMP (Federation of Korean Music Performers) • http://www.fkmp.kr
Spain: AIE (Artistas Interpretes Ejecutantes) • http://www.aie.es
Sweden: SAMI (The Swedish Artists’ and Musicians’ Interest Organization) • http://www.sami.se
Ukraine: OBERIH • http://www.oberih.org
United Kingdom: PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) • http://www.ppluk.com
USA: SOUNDEXCHANGE • http://www.soundexchange.com
USA: AFM & SAG-AFTRA (The AFM and SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund) • http://www.raroyalties.org
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
23
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
ACTRA RACS ARTISTS’ SPOTLIGHT 2015:
ACTRA RACS Salutes Rush
With more than 40 million records sold worldwide and
countless sold-out tours, Rush – Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson,
and Neil Peart – is not only one of the most inventive and
compelling groups in rock history, but remains one of the
most popular. The RIAA® has certified Rush for the third most
consecutive gold/platinum studio albums by a rock band,
topped only by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Rush’s vast catalog includes such classics as 1974’s self-titled
debut, 1976’s 2112, 1981’s Moving Pictures, 1996’s Test For
Echo, and 2002’s Vapor Trails. Rush released their 20th studio
album, Clockwork Angels, in 2012 via Anthem/Roadrunner
Records. The highly anticipated collection marks the
group’s first studio recording since 2007’s Snakes & Arrows,
and debuted at #1 in Canada and #2 on the Billboard 200,
matching the highest chart debut of the band’s career.
In addition to their commercial success, Rush has also been
recognized with a number of Juno Awards and multiple
Grammy® nominations, including one for the acclaimed
documentary “Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage.” Enjoying a
recent pop culture renaissance, Rush made a rare television
24
Sign up for the
ACTRA RACS
e-newsletter at
www.actra.ca/racs
for more information
and spotlights on
ACTRA RACS artists.
appearance – their first in over 30 years – on Comedy Central’s
“The Colbert Report” and a memorable cameo in the film “I
Love You, Man.” Most recently, Rush has been inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This year, Canada’s national newspaper The Globe & Mail
called Rush “one of the few bands anywhere that just keeps
getting better”. A career-chronicling Rolling Stone feature
summed up the renowned rock trio’s continuing artistic
vitality by observing, “It’s true that Rush doesn’t mean today
what it did in ’76 or even ’96. It may mean more.”
Rush.com
@rushtheband
Facebook.com/rushtheband
ACTRA RACS congratulates Rush on being the recipient of the
2015 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, which was presented
to the group at the 2015 Juno Awards Gala and Dinner on
March 15, 2015. The Allan Waters Humanitarian Award
recognizes outstanding Canadian artists whose contributions
have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada.
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
Photo credit: Michi Waddell
CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK
PANEL DISCUSSION
Wendy Lands, voiceover actor and singer (ACTRA member and
ACTRA RACS artist) www.wendylands.com, and Brad Keenan
(Director of ACTRA RACS)
Canadian Music Week, which took place in Toronto
from May 1-10, 2015, brings together sound
recording, New Media and broadcast for a week of
spectacular events including conferences, a cuttingedge trade exhibition, award shows, film festival,
comedy festival and the country’s biggest New Music
Festival. ACTRA RACS’s Director, Brad Keenan, was
front and centre in the discussions on behalf of our
artists. Brad was part of a four-person panel discussion
on ‘The Importance of Neighbouring Rights’, which
focused on performance rights that are attached to
sound recordings as a source of revenues for record
labels and artists and how to maximize these revenue
streams in an increasingly global market.
ACTRA RACS offers Canadian
artists and their families this
exclusive health and dental
plan. ACTRA artists worked with
the ACTRA Fraternal Benefit
Society (AFBS) to create the
Arts & Entertainment Plan®,
which offers comprehensive
health, drug, dental, life and
travel insurance. Coverage is
guaranteed and no medical
exam is required for this
cost-effective plan (with rates
starting from $74/month) that
covers everything from vision
care, hospital rooms, massage
and acupuncture – designed
by artists for artists to help fill
in the gaps of provincial health
care coverage. http://www.
artsandentertainmentplan.ca
Artists represented by ACTRA
RACS are also eligible to apply
for music equipment coverage
through Front Row. http://www.
frontrowinsurance.com/
ACTRA RACS SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON RAINE MAIDA’S AND
CHANTAL KREVIAZUK’S ORDER OF CANADA APPOINTMENT
Canadian music and humanitarian heavyweights Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk were
jointly appointed to the Order of Canada in 2014. The Juno and Much Music Video Awardwinning Maida founded the group Our Lady Peace in 1992 before moving onto a solo
career as songwriter, performer and producer. Singer-songwriter Kreviazuk, who has two
Juno Awards to her name, continues to write and perform her own music in addition to a
successful career writing for top sound recording artists.
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
25
FINANCIALS
SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET
AS AT FEBRUARY 28, 2015
20152014
Current Assets$986,893
$1,152,010
Investments$541,920
$511,495
Trust Assets
$13,908,280$14,470,376
$15,437, 093
$16,133,881
Current Liabilities$424,049 $706,565
Trust Liabilities$13,908,280
$14,470,376
Net Assets$1,104,764
$956,940
$15,437,093$16,133,881
NOTES
Summary Financial Statements for the fiscal year
ended February 28, 2015.
For a full understanding or analysis of ACTRA
Performers’ Rights Society’s financial affairs, please
refer to the full financial statements, the Auditor’s
Report on these statements and the Director’s
Report. The audit of ACTRA PRS’s financial
statements was conducted by Clarke Henning LLP
independent auditors.
The full financial statements can be found on the
ACTRA PRS website: www.actra.ca/main/prs
26
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENSES
AS AT FEBRUARY 28, 2015
INCOME
TOTAL
20152014
Services Charges
$1,092,738$876,001
Interest
$170,061
Administration Fees
$207,370
$1,787,311$1,658,073
Contribution from IPA NKA Funds $263,353$353,864
$3,313,463
EXPENSES
Administrative $3,095,308
20152014
$2,287,875
$2,267,319
Operating
$675,370$642,589
Professional $202,394
$310,611
$3,165,639$3,220,519
EXCESS (DEFICIENCY OF INCOME) OVER EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR
$147,824($125,211)
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
27
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
Your ACTRA PRS Board of Directors
28
FERNE DOWNEY
PRESIDENT
ALVIN SANDERS
VICE PRESIDENT
THERESA TOVA
TREASURER
RICHARD
HARDACRE
PAST PRESIDENT
DON AST
MEMBER
RICK BOLAND
MEMBER
CARY LAWRENCE
MEMBER
JODI SADOWSKY
MEMBER
DAVID SPARROW
MEMBER
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
ACTRA PRS ANNUAL REPORT 2014 | 2015
Your ACTRA PRS staff
National Executive Director Stephen Waddell
Director
Brad Keenan
Administrative Assistant
Anisha Gliddon
Manager
Anna Bucci
Assistant Director
Max Wagner
Bookkeeper
Jacqueline McCullagh
International Coordinator
Kortnee Borden
ACTRA PRS Claims Department
Senior Claims Officer
Claims Officer
Claims Administrator Research Analyst Administrator
Data Processing Clerks Administrative Assistant
Jessica Paes
Tony Walsh
Judy Land
Adela Sas
Patricia Lanca
Beverly Calder
Alison Lall
Lori Seaward
ACTRA RACS
Administrators
Christine Allenby
Andrew Karis
Michi Waddell
Lee-Anne Wielonda
www.actra.ca/prs www.actra.ca/racs
29
ACTRA PRS
ACTRA RACS
625 Church Street, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2G1
Phone 1.800.387.3516 or 416.489.1311
Fax 416.489.1040
www.actra.ca/prs
www.actra.ca/racs
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