Gibson Guitar to be signed by artists and auctioned off with proceeds going to MusiCan
April 3, 2008: Last year saw the beginning of a new era in the Canadian music industry as EMI Music Canada started a trend with their eco-friendly Juno weekend. This year EMI has partnered with Zerofootprint, an innovative Canadian not-for-profit organization, to again ensure that all things associated with EMI’s Juno Awards weekend travel and events will be balanced out or “offset.”
EMI Music Canada also started another positive tradition in 2007 by raising money for MusiCan at the EMI post-Juno Awards party. This year Gibson have kindly donated a guitar which will be signed by artists attending this year’s EMI post-Juno Awards gathering for MusiCan to auction off and raise funds with.
“It is very rewarding to once again be doing our part to give back to the environment with the help of Zerofootprint and to be supporting the exceptional work that MusiCan does,” comments Paul Shaver, VP of Marketing and Promotions for EMI Music Canada. “We have some great sponsors on board this year with Nike Canada, Virgin Mobile Canada and XM Canada™ who also feel very strongly about supporting these types of initiatives.”
“It’s important that we all take the time to understand and reduce our environmental impact,” comments Deborah Kaplan, the Executive Director of Zerofootprint. “We applaud EMI Music Canada for their environmental efforts because their actions will not only serve as an example to those in the music industry, but will help viewers at home consider the changes they can make to their lifestyle to help our environment.”
As a first step, Zerofootprint will measure the environmental impact of the EMI post-Juno Awards gathering and weekend, including the CO2 associated with all artist and staff travel, event-related shipping, waste, food, paper, and banners, as well as the electricity and heating used at the celebrations. These emissions will then be balanced out using ISO-certified forest restoration carbon offsets, a process that will help revitalize degraded ecosystems, combat climate change, and soak up the CO2 the event produced.
“We are deeply grateful for EMI Music Canada’s continued support and delighted to have the continuation of this wonderful tradition of raising funds for music education at each year’s Juno Awards weekend. How especially meaningful to have this opportunity to raise funds to keep music alive in schools as we celebrate Canada’s incredible and diverse talent,” stated Srinka Wallia, Executive Director, MusiCan.
Last year the response from artists to these unique initiatives was tremendous. With another outstanding line-up of EMI and associated labels nominees, performers and presenters this year including: Anne Murray, Serena Ryder, Feist, Sarah Brightman, Jesse Cook, Wintersleep, Pride Tiger and Jeremy Fisher the feedback should be equally significant.
EMI Music Canada is greatly appreciative of this year’s sponsors which are highlighted below and thrilled to have some wonderful new EMI Artist Gift Bag contributors (also outlined below).
For further information, please contact:
Anastasia Saradoc Manager, National Media + Artist Relations / Corporate Communications EMI Music Canada Tel: 905 364 3252
Deborah Kaplan Executive Director Zerofootprint Tel: 416 365 7557 E-mail: info@zerofootprint.net
About EMI Music Canada: EMI Music Canada is a unit of EMI Group, one of the world’s largest independent music companies. EMI Music Canada was founded in 1949. The current roster of artists span all musical tastes and genres, including many important local and international artists. Artists include: Alpha Galates, Lily Allen, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dierks Bentley, Beastie Boys, The Beatles, Sarah Brightman, Coldplay, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Daft Punk, Iron Maiden, Norah Jones, The Kooks, k-os, Lenny Kravitz, Anne Murray, Nickelback, Pride Tiger, Serena Ryder, Joss Stone, 30 Seconds To Mars, KT Tunstall, Kreesha Turner, Keith Urban and Robbie Williams. It also boasts a strong Associated Labels division with labels such as: Aquarius Records, Arts & Crafts, Curb Records, Marquis, Sanctuary Records Group, Sparks Music, Ultra Records, Upper Class Recordings and Warcon. www.emimusic.ca
About MusiCan: MusiCan, the music education charity of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is helping keep music alive in schools across Canada. MusiCan’s mission is to ensure that children in Canada have access to a comprehensive music program through their school. MusiCan includes Band Aid musical instrument grants, the MusiCan Teacher of the Year Award, Scholarships and other music education initiatives. MusiCan is supported by various initiatives such as the platinum selling Juno Award nominee compilation CD, annual contributions by CTVglobemedia, EMI Music Canada Inc., SONY BMG Music Canada Inc., Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada Ltd., as well as Songwriters’ Circle sponsored by CMPA and SOCAN, Juno Cup and individual and corporate contributions, including The Keg Spirit Foundation and Sirius Canada Inc. Since the Program’s establishment in 1997, over $2.3 million will have been donated impacting 164 post secondary music program graduates and 120,732 individual students, their schools and communities, from coast to coast. MusiCan has also honoured three extraordinary music teachers through the MusiCan Teacher of the Year Award.