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OBAA 2019 Finalists: Diversity and Inclusion Award
October 9, 2019Since 1983, The Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs) has been the most recognized industry gala in the province with a single focus on celebrating business success. Throughout the evening, we will celebrate our spectacular Ontario business community, highlighting the incredible innovations and achievements of each one of our 2019 OBAA finalists. Join us on Thursday, November 14 as we reveal our winners at Beanfield Centre in Toronto!
Presenting: The Diversity and Inclusion Award
The Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes business excellence in supporting the creation of diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Finalist #1: Music Canada
Industry: Music Advocacy
When did your organization first open its doors? What motivated you to get into business?
Music Canada (formerly known as the Canadian Recording Industry Association – or CRIA) has been advocating on behalf of record labels and the broader Canadian music industry since 1964. The organization was formed to be a common voice of the record labels in building a healthier and more robust music eco-system throughout Canada.
What does being an OBAA finalist mean to you?
We are so honoured to be in the company of this year’s finalists and the finalists and winners of years’ past. With respect to this Award in particular, diversity and inclusivity has always been important to us, but we are particularly proud of the recent governance changes that we have made at Music Canada to further build out our D & I best practices. As the voice of so many innovative and impactful businesses across Ontario, receiving this kind of recognition from the OCC is incredibly meaningful to us. Being a finalist gives us the opportunity to be a leader of change, not only in the Canadian music industry, but in the business community of Not-For-Profit organizations.
How does your organization positively contribute to Ontario’s economy?
While we are a small non-profit organization, the record labels whom we represent are major economic drivers in Ontario. For example, in a 2012 study that Music Canada commissioned, the economic impact of the Canadian recording industry in Ontario was significant. Total economic impact (direct and indirect) on GDP was estimated at $190M. We have commissioned an update to the economic impacts of the music industry and hope to release that report this fall.
Music Canada itself also has an impact on the Ontario economy. We seek legislative and institutional reforms to ensure that creators are paid fairly when their music is commercialized by others. We also advocate for programs which support artists and music businesses, including the Ontario Music Fund. In addition, we are a founder and international leader on Music Cities, a now-global program to drive vibrant local music economies, many of which are based in Ontario communities. All of these initiatives have an important and direct impact on the Ontario economy.
What is a fun interesting or unique fact about your company?
Many music fans don’t know that Music Canada administers the Gold & Platinum Certification Program, which was launched in 1975 to celebrate milestone sales of music in Canada. With over 20,000 albums, singles, digital downloads, ringtones, and music videos certified over the past 44 years, the program provides a unique historical timeline of popular music in Canada. But perhaps best of all, we have the unique privilege of designing and delivering these awards to some of the world’s top artists and their devoted label teams. This program gives us the opportunity to celebrate the great achievements of the amazing talent Canada has to offer.
Connect with Music Canada on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
“Canada is home to some of the best music in the world. It’s truly a privilege to advocate on behalf of the musicians and businesses who create that great music. Our supportive and innovative members, our consulting artist advocates and our exceptional staff are at the heart of our success.“
Graham Henderson, President & CEO
Finalist #2: Danby Appliances
Industry: Refrigeration and Specialty Appliances
When did your organization first open its doors? What motivated you to get into business?
Danby Appliances started in 1947. I purchased the company in 2017. My interested in business began when I started my first business as a university student, which I ran from the trunk of my car and grew to $2 Billon. I retired and moved to New York for 5 years. When my father grew ill, I moved back to Guelph, and sat on the Board of Danby Appliances. When the CEO resigned I said I would fill in, and when the ownership group asked me to sell the business, I asked how much and bought Danby Appliances.
How does your organization positively contribute to Ontario’s economy?
Since joining Danby Appliances we have added over 50 new jobs, we have opened a new factory in Cobourg, Ontario and are an exporter of our new product, Parcel Guard. Parcel Guard is a smart mailbox which stops parcel theft.
What can we expect to see from your organization in the years to come?
Danby Appliances has recently spun off a new organization called ShipperBee which can reduce the carbon footprint on parcel delivery by 73.1%. This will be a huge environmental legacy. ShipperBee will employ over 1000 people.
What’s a fun, interesting or unique fact about your company?
In 2018 Danby Appliances became a Sponsorship Agreement Holder with the Canadian Government. This allows us to resettle refugees from abroad through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program. In the past 2 years, we have assisted community members in the process of settling over 150 people. As part of our commitment to new Canadians, we offer the Ease into Canada program, a paid placement at Danby Appliances for those looking for Canadian work experience.
Connect with Danby Appliances on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
“The key to success…. ‘do the right thing.’ It is easy to follow – how do you treat your customers? Suppliers? Staff? Easy and simple.”
Jim Estill, CEO, Danby Appliances