A2IM: American Association of Independent Music

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A2IM (and Barack Obama) Draw

Hundreds to Inauguration Party On

the French Riviera

Video of the A2IM Obama Inauguration Party at Midem 2009 courtesy of Ron Suarez from Loud Feed: http://vimeo.com/2935069

(photo courtesy of Counterpoint Systems)

The American Association of Independent Music joined in the global celebration surrounding the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States by hosting a viewing party of yesterday’s ceremonies at their pavilion at the MIDEM Conference in Cannes, France.  What was initially planned as a small cocktail gathering quickly became the place to be for anyone moved by the inauguration of Barack Obama, with close to 1,000 attendees spilling out of the tent.
 
Here’s how this morning’s Billboard describes the scene:
 
"Late in the day, the A2IM booth became the place for all U.S. attendees to gather as the trade group threw a cocktail party and brought it big-screen television sets to broadcast the swearing-in ceremony of President Barack Obama.
 
Americans, armed with bottles of Heineken, glasses of wine and cocktails (and waving U.S. flags distributed by A2IM), cheered the new president and hissed the outgoing administration.
 
Depending on the estimate, the crowd ranged from 300 to 700 people, and in addition to Americans, there were plenty of curious music industry executives from around the world watching the proceedings."
 
Rich Bengloff, A2IM’s President, had this to say:  "A2IM, as the representative of the American independent music community, was pleased to serve as host as hundreds of Midem attendees gathered with A2IM members to watch, to listen, and to celebrate with pride this historical moment.  As Americans abroad meeting with our fellow citizens of the music industry and the world, the sense of excitement and pride was palpable throughout the crowd and shared by Americans and our international colleagues alike."
 
Bob Kohn, Royalty Share Chairman & CEO (platinum sponsor and co-host with SoundExchange of the American Independents Pavilion at Midem), added:  "The bywords of the American election were change and hope. Change has come to the music industry through the digital revolution, but new technologies are enabling independent labels to take advantage of this hopeful beginning to a new era."  A2IM and its 186 attending members were able to host the American Independents pavilion at Midem thanks to the platinum sponsorship of Royalty Share and SoundExchange (the not-for-profit advocacy group that protects artists’ and music labels’ performance rights).
 
Amos Biegun, Counterpoint Systems CEO (co-host with A2IM of the Inauguration Party):  "Counterpoint Systems were honored to sponsor the party celebrating the Obama inauguration event on the A2IM stand at Midem. The party was a huge success and will be carved in everyone’s memories for years to come.
 
 
More photos of the party at the links below:
 
http://www.shorefire.com/media/MIDEM_1_20090121_143033.JPG
Crowd, Cory Robbins (Robbins Entertainment), David Macias (Thirty Tigers), and Maggie Vail (Kill Rock Stars)
 
http://www.shorefire.com/media/MIDEM2_20090121_143050.JPG
Ed Christman (Billboard) with JoJo Gentry (MPress Records) in foreground wiping tear
 
http://www.shorefire.com/media/MIDEM3_20090121_143105.JPG
Wendell Ralph (Psalms Music) wiping tears along with others showing emotion during inauguration
 
http://www.shorefire.com/media/MIDEM4_20090121_143120.JPG
Crowd shot blurred by celebration as President Obama completed taking the oath of office
 
http://www.shorefire.com/media/MIDEM5_20090121_143134.JPG
Tom Silverman (Tommy Boy) and Elliot Resnik (attorney) smile on terrace overlooking French Riviera moments after President Obama becomes 44th president of the U.S.
 
http://www.shorefire.com/media/MIDEM6_20090121_143148.JPG
Kevin Arnold (IODA) and Beni B (ABB Records) at A2IM Pavilion at Midem moments after President Obama becomes 44th president of the U.S.

About A2IM
A2IM launched on July 4th, 2005 to represent the needs of the Independent music label community. Currently, the organization counts over 225 music label members and 100 associate members (companies who don’t own masters but rely upon, provide services for, or otherwise support Independent music labels).

 
A2IM is a not-for-profit trade organization serving the Independent music community as a unified voice representing a sector that comprises over 30% of the music industry’s market share in the United States (and 37% of SoundScan digital sales). The organization represents the Independents’ interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM is headquartered in New York City. The organization’s board of directors is comprised of the following: Concord Music Group President Glen Barros; The Beggars Group CEO Lesley Bleakley; Razor & Tie Executive Vice President Dan Hoffman; Alligator Records Founder & President Bruce Iglauer; Roadrunner Records Executive Vice President Douglas Keogh; Bar/None owner Glenn Morrow; Lookout Records co-owner Molly Neuman; Tommy Boy Records Entertainment founder and CEO Tom Silverman; Amaechi Uzoigwe A2IM Board Chair and co-founder Definitive Jux. More information can be found at www.A2IM.org

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Will you be there?

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A2IM will again host the American Independent label pavilion at MIDEM at definitely the best pavilion location at the world’s biggest music business conference.  MIDEM is again offering A2IM members a discount for at LEAST the first two members of your organization of 195 Euros off the current early bird MIDEM registration fee. While it is only August and MIDEM may seem far off, we have a limited number of registrations we can offer to our members.  We need to plan to make this event a success, please let us know your intentions, including number of registrants ASAP. If you plan on attending MIDEM and want to benefit from A2IM’s reduced rate you should fill out and return to us this special A2IM members only registration form now

A2IM’s discounted member package to MIDEM would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.  We thank Royalty Share (Platinum sponsors) for their support for the third straight year in support of the Independent music community at MIDEM.  Our sponsorship is still in formation and any interested parties should contact Jim Mahoney by e-mail at jim.mahoney@a2im.org or by phone at 212 937 8975 ext. 201.

Sponsorship Information

RoyaltyShare

If you have any questions please contact Rich Bengloff, Jim Mahoney, or Al Verik any time.

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Statement from A2IM President Rich Bengloff on the appointment of Julius Genachowski as FCC Chairman:

"We are encouraged by the appointment of a supporter of net neutrality as FCC Chairman.  Net neutrality is very important issue to the independent label community, as it assures equal access for players of all sizes to the technologies through which independent artists and labels promote and distribute their work. We hope this appointee will also respect Intellectual Property and the need for artists and labels to be fairly compensated for the works they create."

Link to Huffington Post article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rich-bengloff/indie-music-memo-to-fcc-w_b_158173.html