Agent Julien Paquin Awarded By Canadian Independent Music Association At ‘Make It Music Awards’

Toronto’s Julien Paquin, co-president and partner at Paquin Artists Agency, received the Make It Stronger Award from the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) on April 23, at Toronto’s Stackt Market.  

Paquin Artists Agency represents more than 350 artists, including Michael Bublé, Nickelback, Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan, Billy Talent, Tegan and Sara, Diana Krall, Arkells, and Simple Plan.

The 8th annual Make It Music Awards (MIMA), hosted by musician Julian Taylor, honors “the innovative and trailblazing leaders who strengthen Canada’s independent music industry.” 

Just six awards are handed out at the dinner and, this year, Paquin was the only person from the live sector. The Make It Stronger Award was formerly known as The Brian Chater Leadership Award, named after the industry veteran and former CIMA’s president (1987-2006). CIMA — originally The Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) — turns 50 next year.

Before getting personal in his speech, Paquin thanked two major bodies that support the Canadian music industry, CIMA, of course, the advocacy group which represents the independent sector, and the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), a private non-profit music grant organization.

“Thank you to CIMA for all that you do for Canadian artists and the independent music industry, in particular, for your support of live touring initiatives, as you continue your strong collaboration with other Canadian industry associations, as well as highlighting our challenges and successes to our government partners,” Paquin said in beginning his speech. “As a proud board member of FACTOR, I’m grateful Canada recognizes investing in Canadian artists and the vast companies that support them. In particular, I’m looking forward to what Meg (Symsyk, CEO) and the FACTOR team have rolling out for the live sector soon.” 

In CIMA’s press material for the Make It Stronger Award, it explains the honor “celebrates anyone in the independent music industry whose passionate and innovative approach has redefined best practices over the years. These true leaders have set the tone for vibrant and sustainable models across any area of the independent music industry in Canada – they are the visionaries whose work in the trenches paves the way for businesses and creatives.”

Julien’s father, Gilles, started Paquin Entertainment Group in Winnipeg in 1985 and remains its CEO. The company now has multiple divisions: artist agency, artists management, exhibitions, partnership, and theatre & film. The booking and touring agency, Paquin Artists Agency, run by Julien, is headquartered in Toronto with offices across Canada.

In an unexpected move, in early 2022, award-winning industry veteran Vinny Cinquemani joined PAA as co-president, alongside Julien, bringing his roster with him: Adams, Bublé, Johnny Reid, Jann Arden, The Offspring, Simple Plan, Burton Cummings, John Fogerty, Amanda Marshall, Tom Cochrane, and many others.  Then last year, the two worked together to execute a major move for the Canadian live tour business, the acquisition of APA Canada, bringing its top agents, including Ralph James and Jack Ross, and their roster under their roof. James has been Nickelback’s responsible agent since before their first record deal.

Among the other deals, Paquin struck a partnership with Randy Lennox’s Loft Entertainment and another with Quebec’s Preste Agency and opened a Montreal office.  PAA also partnered with booking agency Blue Crane Agency and their principal Tao-Ling Mao, whose mission is to prioritize women and artists of color, and struck a “strategic alliance” with Action Entertainment Collaborative and Nick Meinema in Nashville. Paquin Entertainment Group’s Brand Partnership Division, led by Phil Bouffard, is also repping country music’s CCMA’s.

Paquin referenced his dad early on in his acceptance speech and again at the end. 

“As you may already know, I’m in a family business. When I started, I did not fully comprehend that. Sure, Gilles is my father, but with the boundless energy of a child and the creativity of an artist. Looking back, what I realize is that our first true patriarch was (children’s entertainer) Fred Penner. He was our first client, and he taught us that the responsibility we have to provide a positive impact on people’s lives, both to the audience and to our colleagues, is what truly matters. And I can confidently say that this value is something that we hold dear to our hearts as well. 

“My early mentors, Richard Mills and Andrew Turner, were with me when I started in this business. They brought me out of my shell and taught me how to be aggressive but remain ethical,” he said, before name checking a dozen names of people from fellow agents to club bookers and managers who helped him in his rise. 

“I’d like to thank Rob Zifarelli, Billy Collins and Darcy Gregoire, a testament to camaraderie and what it brings when you have no actual idea of what you’re doing,” he quipped. “We built a foundational culture in Winnipeg that thrives with the company today. Upon our arrival in Toronto 25 years ago, Zifarelli and I were welcomed by some amazing people, including Yvonne Matsell, Jude Coombe, Susan de Cartier, Skinny Tenn, Jill and Shelley Snell, and Joanne Setterington, to name a few. These are relationships that I continue to cherish.”

He singled out two women in particular, de Cartier, who founded Six Shooter Records and Six Shooter Management; and Sandy Pandya, of  Pandyamonium Artist Management, and in 2019 launched ArtHaus with Serena Ryder.

“Shauna de Cartier, a friend, a colleague and a powerhouse, and someone who is absolutely fearless. Watching what Shauna and Helen [Britton] have built at Six Shooter is phenomenal and not at all unexpected. Thank you for your constant support,” Paquin said.

“Sandy Pandya. She was one of the first meetings I had when I moved to Toronto and it turned out to be a turning point in my career. She liked me. And out of that meeting, we would go on to work on Hawksley Workman, Tegan and Sara, Serena Ryder, but, most importantly, the Cash Brothers, led by the one and only Andrew Cash,” he said of CIMA’s current president, quickly adding, “Maybe not my best work, as the man now has a desk job.”  

Paquin then talked about PAA’s “moves during the pandemic that shaped our company to where we are today” and how it wouldn’t have been possible without the Federal Emergency Fund, monies delivered by FACTOR. 

In 2020, PAA hired André Guérette and Jason Furman, as vice-presidents, whom Paquin says in the speech “took leaps of faith that began a momentum that we could not have scripted. That led to bringing on Vinny Cinquemani. He has exceeded his role as a legend. The greatest advocate for artists that I have ever seen,” Paquin said. 

“Jack Ross, Ralph James, Mike Graham and the entire former APA team have provided us with leadership and have given us the confidence and conviction to maintain the path we are on. Chris Geoghegan and Tao-Ling Mao are two superstar agents on the rise. Watching them grow has been a pleasure.

“Todd Jordan, Steve Butler, Meaghan Sproule. Together, we’ve seen it all. But, none of this happens and all the people that work at the agency and all the managers and all the tour managers and all the business managers know it as well, Meaghan Sproule is a fucking superstar. Her intelligence, work ethic and critical thinking is unmatched, all the while exuding a ‘six-foot radius of positivity.’ Thank you Jack Ross for that spot on description.

“Megan, take a moment in the spotlight. I love you,” he said to his new bride, who is also the senior vice-president of operations at PAA. They married New Year’s Eve at Vegas’ A Little White Wedding Chapel.

“And finally, let’s raise a glass to the Grand Poobah himself, Gilles Paquin, who cannot join us tonight, but this is as much his award as it is mine.”