Photo: Yuli Scheidt Yuli Photo: 3 4 6 8 10 Message From the Chair Message From the Looking Ahead Our Staff President 12 14 15 18 Our Board of Directors About the Foundation Our Funding Partners Contributing Radio Broadcasters 20 22 24 26 Financial Results Juries Jurors by Province Overview of Funding 28 29 30 2014–2015 FACTOR Funding Offered Applications Approved Applications Approved By By Region By Genre Region 31 34 40 Funding Offered Funding Offered By Region By Genre 52 54 60 Success Stories Sponsorships per Province Program Descriptions 62 65 69 Contents Collective Initiatives In the Community Awards PWC Report Year-End Snapshot 4 Message From the Chair In writing my first message From genre-bending breakout success stories as FACTOR’s Chair I feel fortunate that I can like Tanya Tagaq, The Weeknd, July Talk and highlight some welcome good news. As of Alvvays to incredible classical and jazz talents April 2015 the Canada Music Fund (CMF), and like Elizabeth Raum and Nikki Yanofsky, specifically the agreements with FACTOR, FACTOR supported artists continue to delight have been renewed for the next five years. critics and fans alike. Now that the fund has been made permanent, it is no longer necessary for the Department Our catalogue of funded projects ranges from of Heritage to (re)make the case for music the largest music events in the country to funding every April. intimate local music get-togethers. This is great news for FACTOR, for the However, FACTOR cannot dwell on past industry, and for our key partners at the successes as music business conditions Department. It means that more time can be continue their rapid transformation. focused on programming for the future rather Streaming is here, but the streaming landscape than on exhausting administrative exercises. today resembles a frontier town, rather than We extend our thanks to the Department the fully developed ecosystem that is to come. and to Minister Shelly Glover for this vote Artists depend more than ever on their touring of confidence. Minister Glover has since income, and many Canadian artists will be announced her retirement from politics, travelling around the world repeatedly, make a FACTOR 2014–2015 FACTOR and we wish her the best. We also thank our living serving their growing global audience. industry partners who were so clear in their support for continuing public funding to FACTOR strives remain sensitive to ensuring FACTOR and other CMF recipients. that we do not become mired in funding outdated business models. We continue to We must also acknowledge the continuing actively evolve and embrace a comprehensive, contribution of Canada’s private broadcasters future-looking view of the music industry in to FACTOR, which started in 1982. Canada. Canada’s funding system for popular music is I would like to thank FACTOR’s Board and a unique and innovative blend of private and staff for their service this past year. We public support that is renowned globally as have a committed group of successful and the gold standard in support for the arts and knowledgeable industry professionals leading creative industries. a terrific team. Our clients can be assured that this tradition of solid leadership will continue FACTOR serves all parts of Canada, provides into the future. funding to multiple genres and communities, and funds both artists and entrepreneurs from the very start of their careers through to maturity. Our support extends to events in all regions and to music associations right across the country and as far north as Yellowknife and Jeffrey Remedios, Whitehorse. Chair Message From the Chair 5 We continue to actively evolve and embrace a comprehensive future-looking 2014–2015 FACTOR view of the music industry in Canada. 6 Message From the President Over thirty years ago FACTOR Through its Board and relationships with other was founded with modest expectations. music organizations, FACTOR seeks and acts The initial budgets were small and no one upon the best available industry advice with imagined FACTOR would grow both in size respect to program priorities and design. The and importance to the degree that it has. Last FACTOR of 2015 is a result of that ongoing year, funding peaked with about $17 million consultation. As the industry evolves over dollars distributed for program support, the the next five years, we will again be seeking largest amount spent by FACTOR in its history. counsel. FACTOR can only be as good as With the renewal this year of the Canada Music the quality of the ideas on which it is based. Fund, and a new contribution agreement So if you have a thought, or want to join the having been signed with the Government of discussion, you should contact a representative Canada, FACTOR can plan for the next five or FACTOR directly. Get involved. Join a years with a reasonable expectation of stable provincial music industry association, CIMA, funding from both government and private the CMPA, or the MMF. Or, get in touch with broadcasters. This includes an endowment of us directly. Send us an email or tweet. We’re over $40 million built from private broadcaster always listening. benefits.FACTOR is projecting to invest at least $16 million per year on programs from 2015 to 2020. This stable financial outlook will help offset a projected decline in revenue FACTOR 2014–2015 FACTOR from private sources as the major benefits from Duncan McKie, transactions from the past seven years expire. President Prudent fiscal management over the past four years, and intelligent investment strategies, have made this five-year future commitment possible. However, client demand on FACTOR funding continues to grow, and industry priorities are shifting. The production of sound recordings has become a less expensive proposition. Artists are seeking more opportunities to tap into markets outside of Canada through extensive touring. Industry organizations have ramped up their efforts to place their artists in worldwide festivals and music events as they seek to enhance their music brands abroad. More and more applications for support arrive at FACTOR every year. All of this requires that we shift our funding to areas which better reflect industry priorities and needs, while living within our means. Message From the President 7 Over thirty years ago FACTOR was founded... no one imagined FACTOR would 2014–2015 FACTOR grow both in size and importance to the degree that it has. 8 Looking Ahead When FACTOR launched its production. During the upcoming year, FACTOR new program and staff structure in April 2013, will continue to monitor the progress of funded the organization gave itself two years to collect projects, and will collect production, market, and data and monitor client activities before making revenue data so that if further program changes any major changes. While the results of the are made, they will be based on the best available changes to FACTOR’s structure and program information. delivery are generally positive, there were significant adjustments made to funding levels With over 5,188 applicants and 4,770 solo during this fiscal year in order to meet demand in artists, bands and ensembles in our system who certain programs. are ready to apply to one or more of FACTOR’s thirteen programs, it is an understatement to say The decision to make those adjustments is the Canadian music industry has a lot of moving illuminated by two principles that guide decision parts. FACTOR’s challenge is to continue to making at FACTOR. The first is ensuring the respond to this dynamic demand, and that longest-possible-term funding for the music means addressing our clients’ needs with as industry through the careful maintenance of an much flexibility as we can afford. That means investment fund; the second is striking a balance our programs will continue to evolve in many between prioritizing new and emerging, versus small ways. established artists and enterprises. Keeping FACTOR 2014–2015 FACTOR these in view, the Board of Directors felt that in order to stay on track to stable, long-term funding, FACTOR would have to reduce program spending while at the same time supporting the greatest possible number of projects. Consequently, the decision was made to reduce the maximum project funding for upper level projects in the Comprehensive Artist and Comprehensive Music Company programs, and to reduce the maximum amount of tour support available per artist per year across all programs. This decision had a negative impact on some projects that were underway, and FACTOR staff are gratified to have so many clients expressing their understanding of the situation for exactly what it is: short term pain for long term gain. Looking ahead to 2015-2016, FACTOR has made some technical changes to program rules, but continues to offer a wide range of funding programs in support of sound recordings, marketing, touring, showcase, videos, and event Looking Ahead 9 FACTOR’s challenge is to continue to respond to this dynamic demand, 2014–2015 FACTOR and that means addressing our clients’ needs with as much flexibility as we can afford. 10 Our Staff In 2014–2015, FACTOR employed FACTOR 2014–2015 FACTOR 20 full-time staff in four departments. Our Staff 11 Duncan McKie PRESIDENT Operations Allison Outhit Phil Gumbley VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Danitza Nolasco Cathy Waszczuk CRM ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE COORDINATOR Communications Accounting Siobhan Ozege Marina Anianova COMMUNICATIONS AND STAKE- ACCOUNTING MANAGER HOLDER RELATIONS OFFICER Client Services 2014–2015 FACTOR Angela Fex Eryka Nilsen Megan Jones MANAGER ASSISTANT MANAGER ASSISTANT MANAGER Tamara Dawit Beth Hamill Erin Kiyonaga SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR – SPONSORSHIPS & COLLECTIVE INITIATIVES Aurora Bangarth Jeffrey Hayward Angela Kozak PROJECT COORDINATOR PROJECT COORDINATOR PROJECT COORDINATOR Derek Wilson Amanda Langton Lindsey Van De Keere PROJECT COORDINATOR PROJECT COORDINATOR PROJECT COORDINATOR Molly Shore JURY SUPERVISOR FACTOR would like to thank Christina Cassaro, Joshua Fourney, Tim Jones and Yuli Scheidt for their contributions to FACTOR during our fiscal year.