SoundExchange is making inroads into the Great White North–and into the business of music publishing rights management. The digital performance rights giant announced that it has purchased the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. (CMRRA), a music licensing outfit that represents a majority of the songs recorded, sold and broadcast in Canada, on behalf of music publishers.

With this acquisition, SoundExchange can now offer a broad and comprehensive range of services to rights holders in both sound recordings and music publishing across North America. It’s also the first time a U.S. sound recording collective has joined with music publishing sector under one collective roof. The combined companies plan to integrate and streamline the administration and distribution of sound recording and music publishing royalties.

“We are proud to join forces with CMRRA. We have a simple, yet ambitious goal: to maximize the value of music for all creators–or musical works and recordings alike–wherever their work is used. The acquisition of CMRRA helps us increase efficiencies while also extending service to the publishing sector,” SoundExchange President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Huppe said. “This exciting partnership builds on CMRRA's great relationships with music publishers and licensees, its long record of accomplishment and its stellar reputation.”

For the time being, SoundExchange and CMRRA will work independently, while exploring ways in which the two companies can collaborate.

CMRRA President Caroline Rioux and her senior management team will remain in place, reporting to the board of directors of SXWorks, a new subsidiary of SoundExchange. Huppe has been named Chairman of the new company.

“We were looking for a partner that shares our vision and philosophy of service to the music publishing community,” Rioux said. “With SoundExchange, we will not only continue to deliver on our mission to maximize the value of the reproduction right in Canada and meet our clients' needs to quality and low service fees, we will also be able to develop new services domestically and beyond.”