SAMRO making waves

Already recognised throughout the world as the most important public performance collective organisation on the African continent, SAMRO is now focused on a single vision - to encourage the music endeavors of composers, authors and music publishers, by ensuring they receive their fair economic rewards from all music users, increasing the sustainability and value of music to society.

CEO, Rob Hooijer says: "We are committed to being participants in various areas of the music business which affect out members and the rights we administer on their behalf. SAMRO is an organisation that has to be fluid enough to respond to the rapidly changing global and regional business environment as well as be structured in such a way that we consistently meet the needs of our members and clients."

Motsatse, who previously occupied the position of Executive Director Corporate Affairs and Marketing, is known for his passion for developing and growing both SAMRO and the South African music industry itself. For the past two years Motsatse has also become a key player on the broader South African music scene, serving as the chairperson of the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition and playing a pivotal role in the South African Music Industry Co-operation Initiative (SAMICI).

"This is in keeping with SAMRO's belief that we need to play an important role in the broader business of music. It is for this reason that we actively support initiatives like Moshito and South African Music Industry Co-operation Initiative (SAMICI) as well as the Composer's Association of South Africa (CASA) and the initiative to form an independent labels association in the country.

"In the future we may even find ourselves on the opposite side of a negotiation with say CASA but right now SAMRO feels it vital to do what we can to be an active participant in stimulating the South African music business."

To effect changes internally, a strategic plan has been drawn up to position the organisation to meet the needs of its clients (music users or licensees) as well as SAMRO's more than 5 500 writers, music publishers and beneficial right holders. The three key divisions at SAMRO will now be marketing, operations and corporate services.

Samro consultants Imago Business Solution's Rowan Dent says: "The marketing department or front office will focus on providing a better more personalised service to clients who have indicated a desire for the organisation to be more responsive to its stakeholder.

"Collective administration is a complex business and the back office, or engine room, will be responsible for documenting the huge volume of local and international works, issuing licences and recording the performance of music wherever it takes place.

"Corporate Services will provide a complete range of services including human resource, financial, information systems, and legal services across the organisation. All key business processes are being reviewed and latest technologies investigated so that the organisation can move fully into the e commerce zone."

Hooijer says the days of being a spectator are over: "With our fantastic new logo and re-energised organisation, SAMRO is entering a new era, one that will be of huge benefit to our members, our clients, our staff and the greater South African music business."