– Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc – Chairman, David Jordan at the 12th Annual General Meeting, 18 February 2023.
By David Jordan
It is such an elation that the board of directors can present the annual report for 2022 in a timely manner to the general membership of ECCO with this year’s theme “Let Us Do It Right.” As chair, I am also equally pleased to ensure that the annual reports for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 were produced and presented simultaneously to share with our members in time for this 12th Annual general meeting.
Members, this clearly seeks “to arrest the culture of the malaise of the past at the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc,.” presenting its financial reports with two; sometimes three-year lag. This effort will greatly enhance the efficiency of the work of ECCO as a company. This ought to include the “mindset” for the possibility of future planning, and should not be limited to the distribution of royalties to its members.
ECCO will adopt a digital system, “UN WIPO Connect” this year, to manage the distribution of royalties more promptly and transparently. The business of ECCO is yours and you need to attend to its business affairs.
Members will also realize that this achievement did not come easily. Several persons were responsible and should get the praise for this. Staff, the accounting consultant, the auditor, and the guidance and cooperation of the officer- in-charge contributed wisely and effectively with immense effort.
Notwithstanding, this proud achievement was amidst a tumultuous year of challenges for the board of directors. The COVID-19 pandemic has ceased, but ECCO was without the services of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and also a highly experienced operations manager; followed by the resignation of a dedicated board secretary. This was also coupled with the unionization of staff and its ongoing negotiations.
The challenges are not imagined. Having set goals because of the cessation of the impact of COVID-19, and the reopening of global markets, this was followed by the Ukraine crisis which also has its impact on the music industry – the Caribbean is no exception.
During 2022 we witnessed new trends in the music industry. Consumption of music globally was reflected on (i) Internet-based platforms at an estimated 64 percent while, (ii) non-internet-based platforms were estimated at 37 percent – Source: IFPI.
Members will need to recognize that there is an even greater need to work with your organisation. It is in this endeavour of working together that projects like (a) Education and Sensitization of Copyright Industry Stakeholders, (b) Contingency Fund Structures, and (c) Legislative Goals of ECCO would be very relevant to the growth and development of our members, to take on the trend and challenges of digitalisation of the music industry.
Already, it is being revealed that there is a need for greater advocacy by our organisation and to equip ourselves with the resources, knowledge, experience, and expertise needed to combat the trend of the music industry and to poise to exploit the possibilities to come. This experience proves that it is not the same business as yesteryear.
Our advocacy calls for the revisit of our relations with our respective stakeholders. It calls for governments in the sub-region to see the music industry as a contributor to Gross Domestic Product, and the economic and social growth in the sub-region. There is a need to adopt better legislation to strengthen our copyright law and other musical rights laws, manage the music industry, and enhance policies directed for the benefit of the creators mainly the youth, as well as those who created the current platform.
ECCO supports government of St Lucia to bring about order in the broadcasting industry
ECCO queries:
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- Why so many users don’t pay for their licenses?
- Why do governments seem so hesitant to create the proper legislative and policy environment with enforceable laws?
- Why can’t we get the Broadcasting Bill enacted in the sub-region after almost two decades of consultation, and the increase of broadcasting entities in the respective jurisdictions in the sub-region?
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This will certainly help us to improve our creators’ revenue streams, and members benefit more handsomely with greater transparency and sustainability.
– Let Us Do It Right!
