SAMRO extends Mark Rosin’s contract as search continues for new CEO

Rosin assumed the top position in February 2020 on a two-year contract. At the time, he was tasked with turning around and rightsizing the organisation. He took over from Ditebogo Modiba who held the position on an interim basis after Nothando Migogo’s exit in 2019.

“We are pleased that Mark has agreed to an extension,” SAMRO board chairperson Nicholas Maweni said. “SAMRO has seen a successful turnaround and significant positive changes that were achieved over the last two years. We have made great strides in removing the shackles of the past and making SAMRO an effective and efficient, member-centric organisation. 

“Under Mark’s leadership, we have also seen a significant increase in revenue from music users, in part because SAMRO signed more favourable contracts with them. This has resulted in higher royalty payouts to our members.”

Maweni said the SAMRO board also decided to extend Rosin’s employment contract to allow him to complete the 2021-22 financial year. 

“The extension will enable him to hand the position over to his successor in a structured and organised manner, with enough time for preparation. The board has embarked on an extensive and broad search for the right individual and will be considering prospective CEO candidates over the next few months. We are expecting to appoint a suitable candidate who will start working with Mark in the second half of 2022 and will assume the position full-time at the beginning of the last quarter of 2022,” he said.

In an interview with Music In Africa last year, Rosin said he believed the next SAMRO CEO should be a black economic empowerment appointee.

“I am here because I have many years of experience, I am deeply embedded in the industry, I understand the issues, I understand the rights and I work hard. I know why I am here but I don't think it's a long-term prospect and it shouldn’t be a long-term prospect. I suppose the point would be this: if the members and the board want me to stay, I would look at it subject to it being until such time that we find a suitable black candidate to step into my shoes.”

Rosin said he thought his first year at the organisation would be “like a bumpy gravel road. Then, after the first year, I would go on to the tarred road, because I am only here for two years. I thought I would be able to see the blue sky, the smooth road, fix it up and leave. On some days I feel like I’m still cutting through the bush with a panga to get to the gravel road.”