Paul Shaver Joins SoundExchange After Stepping Down From CMRRA

Paul Shaver has landed at SoundExchange.

The veteran Canadian music executive has begun a new chapter with the neighbouring rights organization today (Oct. 1), the same day as the end of his tenure as president of the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA).

Shaver announced his departure from the company last week after seven years in his role, following the acquisition of the CMRRA by SOCAN, which was first revealed in July and later finalized in September. SoundExchange owned CMRRA prior to the transaction and actively owns the global publishing company SX Works, where Shaver equally served as president.

"Paul is a respected and forward-thinking executive with experience across many aspects ofthe music industry," says Michael Huppe, president and CEO of SoundExchange. "He has a proven ability to anticipate change, build innovative solutions, and turn opportunity into growth. As technology reshapes how music is created, distributed, and monetized, Paul's leadership will help SoundExchange expand its impact and remain at the forefront of the industry's evolution."

SoundExchange acquired CMRRA in 2017, and Shaver's time at the company from 2019 to 2026 corresponded with a period of growth. The CMRRA celebrated a milestone 50 years last year, which coincided with a distribution of over $94 million in royalties to songwriters and publishers throughout 2025. The company distributed a greater sum of $96 million the previous year, with both amounts reflecting an increase of more than 120% since 2020. Shaver's long history in the industry includes roles at Nielsen Entertainment, Universal Music Group (UMG), EMI/Capitol Music and Virgin Records.

In his new role, he will he responsible for overseeing growth, strategy and partnerships.

"SoundExchange has the expertise, relationships, and data assets to help shape the next chapter of the music industry," says Shaver. "I am excited to join the team and work with creators, rights owners, licensees, and industry partners to build meaningful partnerships, identify new opportunities for growth, and ensure those we serve continue to benefit as technology reshapes the music ecosystem."

Shaver was named a 2026 Billboard Canada Power Player, particularly for his careful work in handling reproduction rights amid a quickly-evolving landscape that is actively being reshaped by AI.

"As president of the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) and SX Works, Shaver oversees the data, licensing and royalty infrastructure that powers music rights management across Canada and beyond. At a time when streaming, AI and digital platforms are making rights ownership increasingly complex, the organization has become critical to ensuring accurate compensation flows through the ecosystem," Billboard Canada wrote of Shaver on this year's list.

Following Shaver's departure from CMRRA, SOCAN appointed a new executive role at CMRRA, with Veronica Syrtash moving up to the post of chief business officer of reproduction rights at the company.