Radio is in transformation in Canada, and Steve Jones is one of the executives actively redefining how the legacy medium can evolve. As president of Stingray Radio, Jones oversees a national portfolio of 97 radio stations — including major market heavyweights like Toronto’s Boom 97.3, Ottawa’s Hot 89.9, Calgary’s XL 103.1 and more — alongside digital advertising platforms and retail media operations. This year, the company made a major move: a $175 million acquisition of live-audio company TuneIn, a deal that integrated its network into over 50 in-car dashboard systems and unlocked access to 75 million active monthly listeners worldwide. Rather than fighting against the challenge of streaming, he understands the key is to absorb its opportunities and play on the same field. A prominent voice for modernizing Canada's regulatory and audience measurement frameworks as a member of the Numeris board of directors, Jones is helping define what the future might look like for Canadian radio, and for CanCon.

Sarah Cummings is one of the executives helping determine what Canadian audio sounds like in an era where radio, podcasts and streaming stretch the limits of what the medium once was. The key, she maintains, is trust — something increasingly rare in the age of AI. At Bell Media, Cummings oversees radio content strategy for iHeartRadio Canada and Orbyt Media while managing some of the country’s biggest audio brands and personalities across a large network of stations from household brands to independent stations, community and campus radio, podcasts and more. Cummings has spent years pushing Canadian radio beyond traditional broadcasting models, helping position Bell Media as a larger player across modern digital audio and creator-led content. This year, she played a central role in securing Bell Media’s expanded long-term partnership with iHeartMedia, including Canadian representation of iHeartPodcasts. A longtime advocate for Canadian talent development as a member of the FACTOR board and executive committee for Numeris, Cummings continues to shape the direction and development of Canadian music and media.

Michelle Mearns understands that the power of modern audio is in culture, storytelling and audience connection, no matter the platform. At SiriusXM Canada, Mearns oversees music, sports, talk and comedy programming while helping shape how Canadian artists and personalities reach audiences in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. Drawing on leadership roles at Apple Music, Twitter Canada, Facebook Canada and CBC Music, Mearns has helped SiriusXM lean further into original programming and artist-led storytelling. That includes the launch of Everything is Broken with Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene, which leans into the emotional connection of music. Under her leadership, SiriusXM Canada also won Commercial Platform of the Year at the 2025 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards, which reflects the platform’s power in multiple genres and communities — in country, with initiatives like SiriusXM Top of the Country, in South Asian music and culture through the Dhamaka channel, in Indigenous music with The Indigiverse and a home for Black music with Mixtape: North.

Kerry Martin and Nick Younès are at the editorial helm at Spotify Canada in the country’s two official languages. While debates rage on about discoverability and support for Canadian content through the Online Streaming Act, Spotify has touted some big numbers for 2025: $544 million in royalties for Canadian artists (a 19% year-over-year increase) with 92% originating from outside the country with Canadian music discovered globally 3.56 billion times. Martin works with head of artist and label partnerships Elizabeth Phipps and Spotify’s international teams in Nasvhille, Los Angeles and New York, ensuring Canadian artists are represented on global playlists and platforms while working with organizations like CCMA the Indigenous Music Office. Younès joined Spotify Canada from Secret City Records in 2025 at a time when there’s a big push for Francophone music, resulting in a 38% growth in global royalties since 2023. Last year’s Heated Rivalry craze drew in huge streams for Canadian artists like Feist and Wolf Parade, as well as Quebec artists like Peter Peter, while math-rock duo Angine de Poitrine experienced a global streaming surge, following their viral KEXP performance. It’s clear streaming plays an outsized role for Canadian artists.

In a culture where streaming plays a major role in music consumption, Mike Lawless has helped position Apple Music as a pipeline for Canadian talent and a liaison for the industry. In his role at the head of Apple Music Canada, Lawless oversees the platform’s editorial, artist partnerships and programming strategy. Initiatives like Up Next Canada spotlight breakthrough artists like Saya Gray and Cameron Whitcomb, while Apple Music Radio has provided global opportunities for artists like Arkells and bbno$. This year, the Canadian team also launched DJ Mix partnerships with festivals like Shambhala Music Festival, igloofest and more, as well as artists like The Beaches and Murda Beatz. The company has also created bridges with the industry organizations like Music Publishers Canada, the CCMA and Adisq awards, ADVANCE, SOCAN and more.

As online platforms, algorithms and creator culture increasingly drive music discovery, Gabriel Obadia is helping Canadian music reach global audiences. Reporting to global head of music at YouTube, Lyor Cohen, Obadia works with artists, labels and distributors to expand the platform’s role in artist development, fan engagement and music discovery. Over the last year, he helped bring YouTube’s global songwriting camp program to Canada for the first time, connecting emerging Canadian songwriters and producers including Ikky, Alex Porat and Dylan Sinclair with collaborators across the country. Obadia has also helped strengthen YouTube’s support of francophone and Punjabi artists, including international campaigns for artists like Charlotte Cardin and Karan Aujla. As YouTube celebrated its 20th anniversary, it helped create a path for emerging artists to breakout — like B.C.’s yung kai, whose viral track “Blue” was in the top 5 songs on YouTube Shorts for 2025.