Flèche bas
Logo

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

COMMIT-
MENT1
COMMITMENT1

Leadership in the service of transformation

Author, Chair of the Board of Directors
Letter from Christine Lidon
 
2023 was marked by major successes for Sacem – and, more broadly, for the music creation sector – but there were also challenges.

Clearly, we welcome the newfound dynamism of live performances, which reflect the rich cultural life present throughout France. And the exponential growth of digital channels is providing our members with new opportunities to disseminate their works.

However, we remain extremely vigilant and mobilised in the face of the difficulties creators are experiencing. Many of them are still struggling to find virtuous economic models in the digital world. The massive arrival of generative artificial intelligence is overturning all the norms around the creation and use of works.

This is why the Board of Directors and I have encouraged and supported the pursuit of Sacem's strategic modernisation plan – so that our collective management society is ever closer to its members and more supportive of them, at reasonable cost, while stepping up more than ever in its role as the defender of authors' rights.

The exceptional results for 2023 are the fruit of the constant commitment of our CEO, Cécile Rap-Veber, and all the teams around her. Their work has enabled us to generate ever-increasing value for our members, clients and customers, while consolidating our social protection and cultural activities.

Music is the number one cultural pastime in France. We are firmly convinced that it enriches people’s lives, bringing them together and educating them, helping build the citizens of tomorrow, regardless of their social or regional backgrounds.

This annual report shows the full extent of Sacem's activities in 2023 in the service of its members but also, I am sure, for the benefit of all those who love music.

Author, Chair of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors
 
Sacem's Board of Directors is made up of six authors, six composers, six publishers, one writer-director and her deputy, all elected by their peers.

The Board of Directors ensures that Sacem's values are respected and that the fundamental pillars of its activity are implemented. Board members work in close collaboration with the General Management, and rely on the opinions and work of ten thematic committees (the Programme Committee, four regulatory committees and five technical committees).

Composition of the Board:

Chair: Christine Lidon, author
Vice-chair: Richard Seff, author
Vice-chair: Arnold Turboust, composer
Vice-chair: Thomas Jamois, publisher
Secretary General: Valérie Foray, publisher
Deputy Secretary: Vincent Baguian, author
Treasurer: Vanessa Bertran, author
Deputy Treasurer: Bruno Lion, publisher

Members:

Élisabeth Anaïs, author
Cécile Bernier, publisher
Jean-Yves d’Angelo, composer
Rodolphe Dardalhon, publisher
Anne Dorr, writer-director
Juliette Metz, publisher
Serge Perathoner, composer
Marie-Jeanne Serero, composer
Patrick Sigwalt, composer
Frédéric Zeitoun, author

Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation -  Solidarity - Values - Transformation - Innovation - 
CEO
An interview with Cécile Rap-Veber
 
We want these excellent results to benefit all our members, whatever their status, repertoire or type of membership, in keeping with the spirit of mutualism and solidarity that underpins our authors' society.


What should Sacem take away from 2023?

In 2023, Sacem achieved significant milestones in its transformation. These financial results reflect its steadfast commitment to defending and enriching its creative heritage.

Our collections reached €1.487 billion, up 5% on the previous year: proof that the actions implemented from the end of 2021 under the Sacem 3.0 plan are bearing fruit. 

This year, we managed to reduce our ratio of net operating expenses to collections to 10.76%, thanks to a roadmap focused on the continuous improvement of our operating efficiency. This is an all-time record, and it underscores our determination to increase productivity and control costs.


What does this mean for members?

We want these excellent results to benefit all our members, whatever their status, repertoire or type of membership, in keeping with the spirit of mutualism and solidarity that underpins our authors' society. 

This is why, in addition to the sums distributed to our rights holders for the use of their works (€1.233 billion in 2023), we are investing heavily in support for our members, social protection and cultural activities. 

The technological revolutions we are living through are accelerating a little more each day, presenting destabilising forces for some of our members. 

It's up to us to listen to them and be there to support them. 

I have therefore decided to strengthen and broaden the scope of action of Sacem's Social Protection and Training Department, to make it even more effective, from 2024 onwards.


How is Sacem dealing with these technological upheavals?

Innovation is at the heart of our business model.

Internally, we are of course working to integrate artificial intelligence into the tools all our professions use, to make them more manageable and efficient. 

For our members and customers, we are developing a comprehensive range of customised services, such as a new portal for entities that have given Sacem mandates, and MusicStart, a free service for protecting works using the blockchain.

We are also doing our utmost to ensure that the development of digital technology and the creation of new distribution channels represent a genuine opportunity to create value for our members, and that the remuneration model remains virtuous for the greatest number of people. This is why Sacem pays close attention to the agreements it has with streaming platforms; we renegotiated several key agreements in 2023, including those with Apple Music, Spotify and Deezer.


Do you feel that copyright has been weakened in this period of change?

The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence presents a major challenge for all of us, as demonstrated by the study we conducted with Gema on the impact of AI on music and creators' rights.

Sacem took concrete steps very early on, such as exercising our right to opt out, in an effort to restore the exclusive rights of our members and protecting them from generative AI players who would use their works without authorisation or proportionate remuneration. 

Sacem continued to defend its members’ interests in all legislative and regulatory battles in 2023. 

For example, it has taken a stance on major issues such as funding – for the Centre national de la musique and for public broadcasting – and the regulation of artificial intelligence in France and Europe.


What are Sacem's international plans?

International development remains a pillar of our strategy. In 2023, more than 50,000 Sacem members received royalties from abroad, and new members from all over the world are joining us every day. In 2024, new agreements will further strengthen our appeal and our capacity for international activity.


What are the next steps?

We will continue to implement our strategic plan in 2024, with ambitious projects designed to strengthen our presence alongside our members, in France and around the world, and to maximise the value of each work we are privileged to represent. 

Just as Sacem wants to be efficient for its members, it also seeks to be useful for everyone – for its clients, its partners, and for all those who make music or who simply love it. More than ever, Sacem's role makes sense in a society beset by generational, social and territorial divides: it helps to create social links by enabling music to be created and distributed to all audiences, throughout France.

In a landscape filled with immense challenges, we continue to evolve to strengthen our capacity for innovation and remain the undisputed leader in the collective management of authors' rights and the protection of creativity for the benefit of all.

CEO

Management Committee
Management Committee
The Management Committee on Dec. 31, 2023. 
 
An operational unit with gender parity, the Management Committee puts Sacem’s strategic vision into practice on a daily basis. Its members are motivated and united in the service of our society’s transformation. They seek to constantly improve the defence of our members’ interests.

From left to right:

First row: Lyne Tastet-Yonké, Director of Operations; Blaise Mistler, Director of Institutional Relations; Cécile Rap-Veber, CEO; Julien Dumon, Director for Digital, Phono Mechanical and Development; Fabienne Gestin, Director of Human Resources; David El Sayegh, Deputy CEO.

Second row: Céline Stierlé, Director of Communications, Engagement and Public Relations; François Besson, Directeur for Cultural Action; Florence Graveline, Director, Transformation, Audit and Compliance; Didier Antoine, Director of Audiovisual and Private Copying; Paul Cohen-Scali, IT Director; Caroline Bonin, Legal Director; Thibaud Fouet, Membership Director; Stéphane Vasseur, Director, Regional Network; Angela Alves, Director, Social Protection and Training; Caroline Champarnaud, Internatoinal Director; Emmanuel Sadacca, Finance Director.

On Jan. 15, 2024, Louis Hallonet replaced François Besson as Director of Cultural Action.

The Management Committee on Dec. 31, 2023. 

EXPANSION2 EXPANSION2

Constant growth in membership and partnerships

Welcome, new members!
Welcome, new members!
1,664
non-French members
28%
of our members are under 25
20%
are women
4%
are publishers
 
We are proud to have welcomed nearly 14,000 new members in 2023, across all professions and repertoires.
 
Mika - Author-composer.Sacem manages his rights in France.
Katleen Dugas - Author-composer.
Jacques Revaux - Author-composer. Composed Comme d'habitude (My Way).
X
X
Mika - Author-composer.Sacem manages his rights in France.
Katleen Dugas - Author-composer.
Jacques Revaux - Author-composer. Composed Comme d'habitude (My Way).
X
X
-
-
New Partners & Clients
Month after month, our partnerships grow stronger and multiply. Our ecosystem is constantly becoming broader and more diversified. The valuable work we do with our partners and customers enables us to build the future and create ever greater value for our members.
A new international partner

The Believe group, a global leader in the digital music market, has signed an agreement with Sacem covering its publishing activities (Sentric Music Limited, TuneCore Inc., IQ Music Limited, etc.) in more than 150 territories.

open
Three new mandates with sister societies

Three new mandates for the collection of digital rights across all territories were signed or implemented in 2023, with Artisjus (Hungary), UBC (Brazil) and Bella Figura Music (UK).

open
A framework for international collective management

Along with our foreign partners, we are actively involved in discussions to improve the structure of collective management internationally. This year, we supported Nigeria in this process, alongside the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Nigeria Copyright Commission and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (Cisac).

open
New deals or improved framework agreements with our customers in various sectors

In France, we signed contracts or developed framework agreements in various sectors:
Tourist accommodation: Fédération nationale des gîtes de France
Amateur sport: Fédération française de football (FFF), Fédération française de rugby (FFR)
Professional sport: Foot unis, Union des clubs professionnels de basket (UCPB)
Associations: Fédération nationale des comités et organisateurs de festivités (FNCOF), Fédération des festivals, carnavals et fêtes de France (FCF), Fédération française des musicothérapeutes

open
SARAH WILLIAMS –
play

SARAH WILLIAMS – CEO, IMPEL

Quote
Our constructive relationship with Sacem over the past 40 years has enabled the organisers of occasional cultural festivities that we represent to broadcast music, while respecting the principle of authors' rights. Together, we built a tool that allows fixed-price billing and attractive discounts. This will ensure the long-term future of our dances, concerts and other festive events, which are so important to the social fabric and the vitality of our regions.
ARNAUD THÉNOZ — deputy chairman of the Fédération nationale des comités et organisateurs de festivités, representing 3,800 organisations.
Quote
Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective -  Clients - Talent - Development - Partners - Collective - 
Proud of our members

Listened to, recognised and honoured throughout France and around the world, our members inspire us and make us dream.

Aya Nakamura - Author-composer. Female francophone artist with the most streams abroad in 2023.
David Guetta - Composer, DJ, producer. 2023 Sacem Grand Prix for Electronic Music. The most streamed French artist in the world and the first French artist to make it into Spotify's top 5 worldwide.
Angèle - Author-composer. Victoires de la Musique 2023 Female Artist of the Year. Performed at Coachella 2023.Supported by our Cultural Action programme.
Woodkid - Author-composer. 2023 Sacem Grand Prix for Sacem export repertoire.Supported by our Cultural Action programme.
Angélique Kidjo - Composer. Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2023(Best Global Music Album for Queen of Sheba).
Ibrahim Maalouf - Composer. Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2023(Best Global Music Album for Queen of Sheba).Supported by our Cultural Action programme.
Gojira - Author-composers. 2023 Sacem Grand Prix for Rock.Supported by our Cultural Action programme.
Howard Shore - Composer. Invited by Sacem to the 2023 Cannes Festival to give The music lesson master class.
Xavier Dolan - Director, screenwriter. Nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award(Best Music video for Easy on Me).
Frédéric Leibovitz  - Publisher, producer. CEO Cézame Music Agency. Production Music Awards winner for Sound Design/Score of the Year for Into the Light.
X
X
Aya Nakamura - Author-composer. Female francophone artist with the most streams abroad in 2023.
David Guetta - Composer, DJ, producer. 2023 Sacem Grand Prix for Electronic Music. The most streamed French artist in the world and the first French artist to make it into Spotify's top 5 worldwide.
Angèle - Author-composer. Victoires de la Musique 2023 Female Artist of the Year. Performed at Coachella 2023.Supported by our Cultural Action programme.
Woodkid - Author-composer. 2023 Sacem Grand Prix for Sacem export repertoire.Supported by our Cultural Action programme.
Angélique Kidjo - Composer. Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2023(Best Global Music Album for Queen of Sheba).
Ibrahim Maalouf - Composer. Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2023(Best Global Music Album for Queen of Sheba).Supported by our Cultural Action programme.
Gojira - Author-composers. 2023 Sacem Grand Prix for Rock.Supported by our Cultural Action programme.
Howard Shore - Composer. Invited by Sacem to the 2023 Cannes Festival to give The music lesson master class.
Xavier Dolan - Director, screenwriter. Nominated for a 2023 Grammy Award(Best Music video for Easy on Me).
Frédéric Leibovitz  - Publisher, producer. CEO Cézame Music Agency. Production Music Awards winner for Sound Design/Score of the Year for Into the Light.
X
X
-
-
CONTINUOUS INNOVATION
The strength of our agreements and the quality of our partnerships enable us to find new areas ripe for innovation and remain at the forefront of thinking on the technological revolutions that are shaking the world of music.
World's first study on generative AI’s impact on music, conducted with Gema

15,000 creators and publishers responded to this survey on the opportunities and challenges AI presents to the music industry. With this initiative, Sacem and Gema wanted to enlighten the public debate on crucial questions for the future of creation. At a time when the generative AI market is expected to reach over $3 billion by 2028, 95% of music creators and publishers are calling for greater transparency from companies developing AI tools. Sacem and Gema are determined to play an active and decisive role in defending the interests of their members.

open
Study of the impact the Artist-Centric model is having on authors' rights

Alongside Deezer, Sacem has launched a study into the application of the Artist-Centric value redistribution model. The aim is to put creators back at the heart of the game, increase the value of streaming and ensure fairer remuneration for our members, whether they are songwriters, composers or music publishers.

open
Standardisation of metadata exchange practices

Our collaboration with DDEX, the music industry's standards body, has enabled us to formalise best practices to streamline the exchange of metadata for works used in user-generated content such as that found on YouTube or TikTok.

open
Improved identification and collection of rights in the United States

In the United States, our partnership with Muserk, a solution for identifying and claiming ownership of digital content, has improved the identification of online works and the collection of neighbouring rights.

open
Identification of works in any alphabet

Thanks to the work carried out with a partner that specialises in the various international alphabets, Sacem is now able to identify its members' works in any alphabet (Arabic, Mandarin, etc.).

open
(OMNI)prEsence
(OMNI)
prEsence
Our members come from the four corners of the globe, because they know that we can represent them almost anywhere in the world. The strength and quality of our agreements guarantee efficient collection and a close relationship with our partners, all for the benefit of our members.
Our representation contracts with sister SOCIETIES
Countries where the Sacem repertoire is represented
200 +
territories worldwide where authors’ rights are collected.
Sacem continued to improve its ability to attract foreign creators again in 2023.
Where our overseas members live
The geographic scope of our online collections continues to expand, year after year.
Territories covered by our agreements with streaming platforms and social networks
Territories covered by our agreements with streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, etc.)
Territories covered by our agreements with streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, etc.) and "User-Generated Content" social networks (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.)
The power of our repertoire
The power of our repertoire
4.4
million
works registered in 2023
96
million
works in the global repertoire
458
thousand
authors, composers and publishers worldwide remunerated for the use of their works
+ 570
thousand
works in our repertoire have been credited outside France
176
nationalities
among our members
26
thousand
international rightsholders (12% of our members)
73
multi-territory
online mandates
 
Because its repertoire is one of the largest in the world, Sacem can negotiate the best rates for all its rights holders with all music distributors, including platforms. The diversity of our creators’ profiles and the wide variety musical genres contribute to the richness of the Sacem repertoire.
 
ARNAUD VERRIER AND AARON MATTS - Authors, composers, and members of the group Ten56.
play

ARNAUD VERRIER AND AARON MATTS - Authors, composers, and members of the group Ten56.

DRIVE3 DRIVE3

A dynamic enlivening the entire ecosystem

New legislative and regulatory challenges
Keeping abreast of legislative and political developments, while educating and convincing public authorities and industry players, form part of our daily mission. Our 2023 activity reflects this approach.
Artificial intelligence: Sacem was the first collective management organisation to opt out

Because we want to establish a sustainable and virtuous balance between our members’ rights and the ambitions of artificial intelligence players, we were the first in Europe to exercise our right to opt out. This made it possible to restore the exclusive rights of creators from October 2023. Today, AI players that seek to carry out data mining on works in our repertoire must ask us for prior authorisation and expressly negotiate conditions. The aim is to ensure that artificial intelligence is virtuous, transparent and fair, and that just remuneration of our authors, composers and music publishers is guaranteed.

open
A campaign to create the conditions for a virtuous AI, within the framework of the AI Act

This recently adopted text establishes the principle of respect for authors' rights and imposes transparency obligations on AI providers.

open
Combating buy-outs by video-on-demand platforms

This practice has spread massively in Europe through American SVOD platforms, which impose a single lump sum on European authors, composers and other creators, instead of proportional remuneration that would allow them to be associated with the successful exploitation of their works.

open
Fighting for a fair and sustainable European music streaming ecosystem

Following the study we carried out with Gesac on the effect the streaming market is having on creators, the European Parliament has taken up the subject with the adoption of a motion that underscores the challenges creators are facing.

open
The battle against piracy

Our methodical notification and de-referencing campaigns have disrupted activity at pirate sites, dried up their advertising revenue and forced them to change their domain names frequently. Taken together, these actions have helped redirect consumers toward legal offerings.

  • 22 pirate services shut down;
  • 276,000 visitors lost per month on average for the sites targeted by our campaigns;
  • 2,500 domain names monitored;
  • 24 new investigations opened;
  • 5 criminal complaints filed.

open
Collective action

Sacem sits on the Boards of Directors of the major intellectual property organisations. This presence enables us to be at the heart of the music industry's issues, to influence strategy and major decisions, and to take action in synergy with the major players in defence of copyright: WIPO, Cisac, Gesac, Biem, the French Coalition for Cultural Diversity, and la Culture avec la Copie Privée, among others.

open
ZAZIE - Author, composer
play

ZAZIE - Author, composer

Even more services for our members

A team just for international members

We now have dedicated teams to welcome and support our non-French-speaking members, so that we can respond to all their requests – which can be very particular – and provide them with a tailor-made welcome and relationship. Teams also go out to meet members at many international festivals and events: SXSW in Austin (USA), Amsterdam Dance Event, Cannes Festival, Babel Music XP, etc.
We now have dedicated teams to welcome and support our non-French-speaking members, so that we can respond to all their requests – which can be very particular – and provide them with a tailor-made welcome and relationship. Teams also go out to meet members at many international festivals and events: SXSW in Austin (USA), Amsterdam Dance Event, Cannes Festival, Babel Music XP, etc.

The mandators portal

In 2023, we opened a portal dedicated to sister companies and international publishers who have entrusted us with the management of their online rights: they can use the portal to consult their Sacem account – royalties, catalogues, distribution data, and more.
In 2023, we opened a portal dedicated to sister companies and international publishers who have entrusted us with the management of their online rights: they can use the portal to consult their Sacem account – royalties, catalogues, distribution data, and more.

Easier communication

We launched a secure messaging system and an online help service in 2023 to simplify and speed up exchanges between our members and our teams.
We launched a secure messaging system and an online help service in 2023 to simplify and speed up exchanges between our members and our teams.

A redesigned member account

A new profile page and a new menu for easier navigation of the member accounts pages.
A new profile page and a new menu for easier navigation of the member accounts pages.

Dynamic account statements

Distribution documents are now entirely paperless. We redesigned the dynamic account statement to make it easier to read.
Distribution documents are now entirely paperless. We redesigned the dynamic account statement to make it easier to read.

Concert dates and setlists

We created a new user interface and new functionalities for registering setlists and concert dates – tracking every stage of the process, from rights collection to distribution.
We created a new user interface and new functionalities for registering setlists and concert dates – tracking every stage of the process, from rights collection to distribution.

MusicStart

Now open to all our members free of charge, MusicStart is the first 100% digital works-protection service dedicated to music. Thanks to a time-stamp in the blockchain, any singer-songwriter can create a proof of anteriority for his or her creations (lyrics, compositions, recordings, etc.) in less than 2 minutes, at any stage of the creation process. More than 130,000 works are now protected thanks to MusicStart.
Now open to all our members free of charge, MusicStart is the first 100% digital works-protection service dedicated to music. Thanks to a time-stamp in the blockchain, any singer-songwriter can create a proof of anteriority for his or her creations (lyrics, compositions, recordings, etc.) in less than 2 minutes, at any stage of the creation process. More than 130,000 works are now protected thanks to MusicStart.

Sacem Plus

TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Landr and Base for Music are just some of the partners we organised webinars with in 2023. In addition to these events, reserved for Sacem Plus members, there are exclusive discounts and advantages (equipment, accreditations, distribution services, marketing, etc.), access to a calendar of professional events and calls for projects, as well as a classified ads service. The 11,000 Sacem Plus members can also get in touch with each other, and present their shows to venues looking for artists to book.
TikTok, YouTube, Spotify, Landr and Base for Music are just some of the partners we organised webinars with in 2023. In addition to these events, reserved for Sacem Plus members, there are exclusive discounts and advantages (equipment, accreditations, distribution services, marketing, etc.), access to a calendar of professional events and calls for projects, as well as a classified ads service. The 11,000 Sacem Plus members can also get in touch with each other, and present their shows to venues looking for artists to book.
A unique social model
Social protection is in Sacem's DNA. We stand in solidarity with our members, supporting them at every stage of their lives and careers with an accessible range of tailored social services.
Health

Sacem offers members a number of health cover options. For members living in the United States, WellAway offers a personalised package with a range of options, at preferential conditions.

open
Pensions

Sacem's mutual aid allowance scheme (RAES) is open to all members. Emblematic of Sacem's social model, it provides creators and publishers with supplementary income at the end of their careers.

open
Mutual assistence and solidarity

Artistic careers are often fragile and volatile: at Sacem, all our members can apply for aid from funds we have created.

open
Training

Sacem acts globally to develop continuing education for its members, through training programmes tailored to the needs of authors and composers.

open
€240K
dedicated to training initiatives in 2023, through the aid programme and partnerships with training organisations
François Hasdenteufel - Composer
play

François Hasdenteufel - Composer

Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure -  Proximity - Guidance - Social protection - Support - Made-to-measure - 
Cultural action
Cultural action
Sacem is France's leading private funder of music, spending €22.5 million for 2023 from “private copying” collections. It also supports cultural activities internationally, so that creativity can flourish in all its diversity.

  • Modern music: among other events, we support the No Format show (writing workshop and concerts in France and South Africa), the Visa for Music festival (Morocco), the Zandari festival (South Korea), the MIL festival (Portugal), the FEMUA festival (Côte d'Ivoire) and the ACCES festival (pan-African music market in Tanzania).
  • Contemporary classical music and creative jazz: our initiatives include support for commissions and the organisation of residencies with the Impuls Neue Musik funds between French-speaking and German-speaking countries; support for the Franco-British-Irish fund; and the Albertine Foundation's Jazz & New Music programme between France and the United States.
  • Music for the moving image: among the masterclasses organised by Sacem in 2023, Howard Shore's made a lasting impression. At the Cannes Film Festival, the Canadian composer and conductor, winner of three Oscars and three Golden Globes, gave a remarkable lesson in music, in the presence of director Martin Scorsese, one of his partners.
  • Franco-American Cultural Fund: Sacem is one of the founding members of the Franco-American Cultural Fund, which develops and strengthens dialogue between creators and industries in both countries. The other founding members are the Directors Guild of America, the Motion Picture Association and the Writers Guild of America West. Co-chaired by Cécile Rap-Veber, CEO of Sacem, and the renowned film director Costa-Gavras, Honorary President, the Franco-American Cultural Fund organises the annual American French Film Festival, formerly known as Colcoa, a week-long festival of premieres of French films and series in Los Angeles. Cancelled in 2023 because of the Hollywood writers' strike, the festival nevertheless promoted the selection of 21 films, 4 documentaries, 9 series, 4 films for television and 17 short films.
 

A scene from The Music Lesson given by the composer Howard Shore at the Cannes Film Festival, in the presence of the director Martin Scorsese.
play

A scene from The Music Lesson given by the composer Howard Shore at the Cannes Film Festival, in the presence of the director Martin Scorsese.

Commitment: A new department
 
Committed by nature, in 2023 Sacem created a new department dedicated to environmental and societal issues and to enhancing the value of its heritage.

Societal commitment

In 2023, we launched a number of initiatives to ensure that everyone has a place in society. These included mentoring programmes, meetings, networking and a solidarity day. These equality, diversity and solidarity initiatives have inspired and motivated our employees and professionals from around the industry.

  • Supporting the careers of women creators and music professionals through mentoring and networking programmes.
    → Keychange, Mewem, 100 femmes de Culture, Cherchez la femme.
  • Funding scholarships for students pursuing careers in music.
    → All Access Musique: "Equal opportunities" programme
  • Motivating our work force
    → Creation of the "solidarity day": employees can donate one working day per year per to an association. In its first year, 27 employees took part.
  • Uniting the industry around equality and diversity issues
    → 5th edition of the "Rencontres Culture & Égalités" on 29 September 2023, under the patronage of Coline Serreau.

Environmental commitment

To help protect the planet and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we have finalised the calculation of our carbon footprint, the first stage in the construction of our Climate Roadmap aimed at continuously improving our emissions.

We have also worked to reduce the ecological impact of our productions (publications, swag, signage) and have launched various initiatives: strengthening our responsible purchasing policy, rolling out a green IT policy, participation and financial support for the Déclic collective project launched by the Syndicat des musiques actuelles and Fedelima, which aims to decarbonise the live music industry.

Commitment to our heritage

To promote its rich musical heritage, Sacem has continued to expand its online Musée Sacem. In total, more than 200,000 pages were viewed in 2023, and 27 new podcasts put online. In addition, the loan and distribution of archives presented opportunities to showcase this heritage.

  • Organisation of tribute evenings at Sacem headquarters (Michel Berger, Django Reinhardt, Jean Constantin, etc.)
  • Creation of exhibitions on musical genres and creators (Léo Ferré at the Francofolies, Rap at the Printemps de Bourges festival, etc.);
  • Development of our online museum: over 10,000 archives, tributes, podcasts, exhibitions and portraits are now available.

Coline Serreau - Writer-director
play

Coline Serreau - Writer-director

Innovating to stay ahead
Innovating to stay ahead
410
projects launched
179
projects completed
 
Partnerships, blockchain, AI, and more. Constant innovation has always been part of our DNA. We're always investing and experimenting to stay one step ahead and set the standard.
 

Sacem Lab

At the heart of a rapidly evolving ecosystem, Sacem Lab is an accelerator where our experts identify, analyse and anticipate new trends and technologies in copyright and music creation. They test solutions, working closely with the musictech innovation ecosystem and creators, to imagine the future of collective management.
At the heart of a rapidly evolving ecosystem, Sacem Lab is an accelerator where our experts identify, analyse and anticipate new trends and technologies in copyright and music creation. They test solutions, working closely with the musictech innovation ecosystem and creators, to imagine the future of collective management.

Open innovation

Through partnerships with international start-ups like Revelator and Wander, and leading schools such as the Paris Digital Lab at CentraleSupélec, we are innovating around specific issues such as blockchain and hardware.
Through partnerships with international start-ups like Revelator and Wander, and leading schools such as the Paris Digital Lab at CentraleSupélec, we are innovating around specific issues such as blockchain and hardware.

AI hackathon

Sacem’s efforts to integrate AI into its business departments has already improved operations: We are developing 13 pilots and prototypes to optimise our working methods.
Sacem’s efforts to integrate AI into its business departments has already improved operations: We are developing 13 pilots and prototypes to optimise our working methods.

Scientific Council for Innovation

Under the guidance of Jean-Michel Jarre, the council’s mission is to constantly nurture innovation in this increasingly fast-moving world, in order to prepare for the future. Topics addressed in 2023 include: artificial intelligence: identifying the impact on copyright and musical creation innovation in the music industry musical discovery via online services
Under the guidance of Jean-Michel Jarre, the council’s mission is to constantly nurture innovation in this increasingly fast-moving world, in order to prepare for the future. Topics addressed in 2023 include:
  • artificial intelligence: identifying the impact on copyright and musical creation;
  • innovation in the music industry;
  • musical discovery via online services.

Studies

To better understand certain use cases and certain technological or business opportunities for Sacem, we carried out various studies in 2023, including one on tokens/NFTs and copyright, an exploratory study on the management and distribution of royalties via blockchain, and another on the impact of gaming/metaverse on music. The goal is to extend sources of revenue to new digital platforms.
To better understand certain use cases and certain technological or business opportunities for Sacem, we carried out various studies in 2023, including one on tokens/NFTs and copyright, an exploratory study on the management and distribution of royalties via blockchain, and another on the impact of gaming/metaverse on music. The goal is to extend sources of revenue to new digital platforms.

Recruiting

To surround ourselves with the best talent and develop skills in cutting-edge technologies, we accelerated our IT recruitment plan in 2023.
To surround ourselves with the best talent and develop skills in cutting-edge technologies, we accelerated our IT recruitment plan in 2023.

Our experts attended key tech events

Our experts were chosen as panellists at major tech events around the world: Wallifornia Musictech Summit, MaMA Conference, Web3 Conference, Fireblocks, Tezos France, API Days, French Touch AI, etc. They were also in attendance at SXSW, TezDev and BPI Big.
Our experts were chosen as panellists at major tech events around the world: Wallifornia Musictech Summit, MaMA Conference, Web3 Conference, Fireblocks, Tezos France, API Days, French Touch AI, etc. They were also in attendance at SXSW, TezDev and BPI Big.

Discord

Our presence on Discord facilitates exchanges on specific subjects: thousands of discussions were initiated by our members in 2023, among their peers and with Sacem.
Our presence on Discord facilitates exchanges on specific subjects: thousands of discussions were initiated by our members in 2023, among their peers and with Sacem.

ACCELE-
RATION4
ACCELE-
RATION4

An efficient, future-proof model

Our teams are committed
Our teams are committed
24
nationalities
represented in our work force
58%
women
93/100
gender parity index
6.8%
employees with a handicap
62%
of the work force
has benefited from continuing education
47
employees
have taken advantage of the internal mobility programme
 
Our teams’ unfailing commitment, along with their varied and complimentary expertise, are driving a transformation at Sacem that is advancing every day for the benefit of our members. We make it a point of honour to support our teams so that they can progress and develop throughout their careers. Diversity, inclusion, mobility and equal opportunity are key values for us, and we are committed to living them every day.
 
After 2022, which saw a return to more regular post-Covid activity, Sacem's strategic plan, initiated in October 2021, continued into 2023 in a mixed environment.

In 2023, Sacem capitalised on its historical expertise and agile skillsets to maximise royalty collections. We collected a record amount, €1,487 million (+5% vs 2022). Thanks to a strong emphasis on controlling costs, our net operating costs/collection ratio fell for the second year running (10.76% in 2023 compared with 11.65% in 2022). The increase in our collections, combined with cost controls, enabled us to distribute a total of €1.233 billion to rightsholders (+17% compared with 2022). Our aim: to guarantee creators and publishers the fairest possible remuneration for the use of their works.

COLLECTIONS

€1.487 B
collected in 2023 (+5% vs 2022)

DISTRIBUTION

€1.233 B
distributed (+17% vs 2022) to creators, music publishers and mandators around the world
Operational excellence
Sacem's strategy of seeking the fairest value in all its agreements while controlling costs, combined with the modernisation of its tools, have resulted in an increase in collections and royalties distributed to its members, mandators and creators throughout the world.
A leading position in online

Sacem is a data company – and a market leader – administering more than 1,300 online contracts – including 151 with international players – in 230 countries, with thousands of different offers processed every month.

  • Regular renegotiation of online agreements with key players, in line with developments in the streaming market: Deezer, Apple Music and Spotify in 2023.
  • A clear acceleration in distribution – three months after the work has been used on certain platforms (Apple Music and Spotify).
  • We have made a positive impact on the entire platform ecosystem (speeding up distribution in particular) because we continuously improve the ways we detect works using internal and external AI tools.
  • Constant technological, market and business monitoring helps us stay on the cutting edge of licensing.

open
A network unrivalled in France

  • Tariff adjustments, negotiated on an ongoing basis, in line with changes in music consumption.
  • Simplifications and an ever-expanding range of services for our music-user customers.
  • Modernisation of tools to improve performance.

open
Greater international influence and impact

  • Very detailed checks on the use of our works outside France, thanks to a dedicated team, technology partners and data suppliers from all over the world.
  • Thousands of requests processed on behalf of our members.
  • A dedicated team to answer questions from our sister companies about royalties and fiscal management in France.
  • Tighter relationships with all our members and international partners, particularly in Africa and the Middle East.

open
Conclusive negotiations with the audiovisual media

  • The first individualised, per-work distribution for music use by non-linear operations took place in October 2023.
  • Regular renegotiation of contracts with broadcasters (TV5 Monde, Disney, L'Équipe TV in 2023).
  • A new agreement with M6, including a commitment to broadcast more prime-time music programmes.

open
Constant modernisation of our tools

Our investments make our tools increasingly effective. In 2023, these outlays led to:

  • automating and improving the quality of the registration, collection, documentation and distribution processes;
  • an acceleration in collection and distribution activities;
  • increasingly fine-grained, accurate distribution, based almost exclusively on setlists and programming.

open
Bonga - Composer
play

Bonga - Composer

FOCUS

Apple Music & Spotify: distribution three months after the quarter of use

In 2023, Sacem continued to accelerate its collection and distribution activities for the benefit of its members, whether for general rights – concerts or background music – or for the exploitation of streaming works on Apple Music and Spotify, with distribution three months after the quarter of use. This will also be the case for YouTube, for music content, from July 2024, making Sacem the most diligent society in Europe when it comes to paying out the main online royalties.

Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -  Innovation - Agility - International - Efficiency - Utility -