The biggest players in Canada's music industry gathered to celebrate the second edition of Billboard Canada Power Players last week at NXNE. The 2025 edition of the illustrious list was commemorated with an exclusive event at the Illuminarium in Toronto on June 11.
Many of the influential executives honoured on this year's Power Players list were present, as well as their peers in the music industry and many of the managers honoured at the Billboard Canada Managers to Watch event earlier in the day. The wraparound LED screen in the Illuminarium made for an immersive setting and a DJ set from DJ DevoDLive kept the crowd grooving with Afrobeats, dancehall, R&B and hip-hop.
Guests included Erik Hoffman and Melissa Bubb-Clarke of Live Nation Canada — who, along with Riley O'Connor, were this year's Power Players of the Year — plus Universal Music Canada President & CEO Julie Adam, OVO co-founder Oliver El-Khatib, Sony Music Canada President Shane Carter, Jennifer Brown and Mike Rocha of SOCAN, Warner Music Canada President Kristen Burke, FACTOR President & CEO Meg Symsyk, Recording Academy/Grammys President Panos A. Panay, Elizabeth Phipps of Spotify Canada, John Murphy of Amazon Music Canada, Director X, DJ 4KORNERS, rapper Haviah Mighty and many more.
Julie Adam of Universal Music Canada at Billboard Canada Power Players 2025.Door 24
Spotify Canada's Elizabeth Phipps at Billboard Canada Power Players 2025.Bianca Ribadeneira
Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy/Grammys, at Billboard Canada Power Players 2025.Bianca Ribadeneira
Billboard Canada's President Mo Ghoneim and CCO Elizabeth Crisante kicked off the night giving thanks to all of the executives present in the room. Crisante acknowledged the industry milestone that is NXNE's 30th anniversary this year. She then introduced the theme of this year's Power Players event: Impact.
"Power becomes meaningful when it’s rooted in purpose. It’s not the position that defines influence. It’s the intention behind it, the ability to lead with clarity and conviction and elevate others in the process. What we honour tonight are not just accomplishments, but strategic, values-driven choices that are moving this industry forward," she explained.
Billboard Canada President Mo Ghoneim (left) and CCO Elizabeth Crisante at Billboard Canada Power Players 2025Door 24
Derrick Ross of Slaight Music took to the stage to present the Impact Award. The award was presented to October's Very Own CEO and Remix Project co-founder Derek "Drex" Jancar, who was promoted to the role last year and continues to make a lasting impact in the business world that is informed by his community impact.
Derek "Drex" Jancar and Oliver El-Khatib of OVO at Billboard Canada Power Players 2025.Door 24
In addition to the award, the Slaight Foundation and Billboard Canada also presented Drex with a cheque for $10,000 representing a proud donation to the Remix Project.
Left to right: Jackson Turner and Mo Ghoneim of Billboard Canada, Derek "Drex" Jancar, Derrick Ross of Slaight Music and Elizabeth Crisante of Billboard Canada.Gary Shillingford
Sony Music Canada president Shane Carter took to the stage to present the International Management Award to Courtney Stewart, Khalid's manager and the founder of Right Hand Co. He recalled first meeting Stewart at one of Khalid's shows and being instantly impressed by his drive and work ethic.
"Courtney has all the qualities that it takes to be not just a good manager, but a great manager and a great parent — two roles that are actually quite similar. For those of you who are managers, you have to be patient, kind, protective and unselfish," Carter said.
"I am truly grateful for being recognized tonight and I want to thank Billboard for all the great work that they do in the lives of artists," Stewart said. "I am winning an award tonight, but the real win is what we're doing for others. Uplifting other people, being a blessing to other people, uplifting other communities — that's the real win. This win is not just about recognizing me, it's about recognizing my right-hand team that's so amazing and all of you out here because we have to come together to win — not for ourselves, but for other people."
Courtney Stewart of Right Hand Co. and Sony Music Canada's Shane Carter at Billboard Canada Power Players 2025.Door 24
Billboard Canada National Editor Richard Trapunski at Billboard Canada Power Players 2025.Door 24
Erik Hoffman and Melissa Bubb-Clarke came onstage to accept the award, which was also awarded to Live Nation Canada's Chairman Riley O'Connor. Hoffman gave thanks on behalf of himself, his fellow winners and the entire Live Nation Canada team, saying that they were thrilled to receive the award. He also gave a special nod to Wayne Zronik, Live Nation Canada's President of Business Operations, who is also instrumental to the success of the company as represented by the three executives at the top of the list.
"This is a crazy business we work in," he said. "A lot has changed in the world of live music but the one thing that's remained consistent is that it is ultimately all about the artists and their fans. If we continue to work towards collective goals with that in mind, I think the world of live music will just continue to grow."
Erik Hoffman and Melissa Bubb-Clarke of Live Nation Canada at Billboard Canada Power Players 2025.Syd Denau
Billboard Canada Power Players was made possible with the support of our industry partners: Amazon Music, RBC Music, Ardene, Tixr, Prevost, TTC, Prime Video, SOCAN and mau5trap.
