A2IM: American Association of Independent Music

Posted in Member Services by A2IM

The deadline to submit music for Grammy nomination consideration is August 5th (for all music commercially released before 7/31/10)

IT’S FREE TO REGISTER.

REGISTER TODAY TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT YOUR TITLES FOR CONSIDERATION!

If you are registered as a media company with The Recording Academy you should have received instructions on how to submit your music for consideration.  If you haven’t already registered as a media company with The Recording Academy, follow the instructions here.

Posted in Member Services by A2IM

FUGA is a hosted web application, like for example Gmail, Salesforce.com and MySpace. FUGA is used by record labels, distributors, aggregators and artist management companies – enabling them to store their digital masters, package them into releases and send those to online stores like iTunes, Beatport and Amazon.

Using the platform’s simple online user interface, content owners can easily maintain their catalogue’s metadata, make new compilations from already uploaded items, instantly deliver content to any online service they have an agreement with and access up-to-the minute data on where their content has been delivered.

FUGA is connected to more than 200 online services such as iTunes, Amazon, MySpace, YouTube, Spotify, Beatport and Rhapsody. Content providers can also use FUGA to export their metadata to royalty systems, promotional services and neighboring rights organizations. For an up to date list of whom FUGA is connected, please visit fuga.me/dsps.

Content providers using FUGA to power their digital operation include Nettwerk Music Group, BFM Digital, Ultra Records, Armada Music, N.E.W.S. NV, Blackhole Recordings, Skint and Loaded Records, Record Union, ST Holdings, Epitaph Europe and OM Records.

Independent IP is the name of the company behind FUGA. We are a technology company based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We’re building solutions and infrastructure for the music industry, and any other industry that produces digital content. The company was founded in 2007 and currently has 10 employees.

Independent IP is backed by a group of private investors who are committed to the growth and sustainability of the FUGA platform.

FUGA is the most reliable digital delivery platform in the content management and digital distribution space, the ability to control and deliver all of your digital assets online adds significant value to your digital operation.

You can get an overview of FUGA by watching this video.

To arrange a demo or for more information please contact lee@independentip.com.

Posted in Chapters, Events, Members Only by A2IM

As a lead-up to Billboard Music & Advertising Conference in Chicago, the Licensing and Publishing Committee of the American Association of Independent Music (”A2IM”) are having an evening Licensing Day event for its members at the offices of The Recording Academy Chicago Chapter (303 W. Erie St., Suite 210, Chicago, map) on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010 from 6-9PM.

Beginning right after the work day, Licensing Day in Chicago will feature a panel discussion on the rise of new media in the advertising world, how budgets have changed, and how independent music plays into this equation. Featured on the panel are music supervisors from Beta Petrol, DDB, DraftFCB and Young & Rubicam. Immediately following, we’ll have a beer & wine reception to further discuss topics from the panel. Special thanks go to all who have volunteered their time for this event, and especially to The Recording Academy for hosting this event and Magic Hat Brewing Company for donating the frothy beverages!

Click here to read panelist bios and watch this panel online.

You can access A2IM’s discounted rate to the Billboard Music & Advertising Conference here.

Please RSVP to jen@a2im.org.

Posted in Advocacy, From The President by A2IM

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) is doing its 2010 quadrennial review of media ownership which asks what questions the FCC should be asking related to competition, localism and diversity. Based upon the comments of the National Association of Broadcasters (“NAB”) which propose further media/radio market consolidation A2IM has filed a reply with the FCC. The A2IM reply notes that achieving radio access at traditional terrestrial AM/FM radio has always been an issue for A2IM’s members and their artists in terms of getting radio airplay and how further radio ownership consolidation could affect our community. The full comments filed with FCC are HERE

Posted in Advocacy by A2IM

In June A2IM sent out a Call To Action urging independent labels and our partners to join other members from our industry that rely upon music having value for their own livelihoods.

The response to this campaign on music piracy last month has been remarkable – nearly 14,000 messages to Congress have already been sent!  The feedback and interest among our community has been great and is very important as we put a local and independent face on an issue that too often is framed by the blogosphere as only affecting “wealthy, fat cat executives who rip off fans and artists”.  We know that NOT to be the truth and therefore we MUST speak up and be heard.  Together, I am confident Congress will hear our call — but we need to be louder still.

If you have not yet sent an e-mail to Congress via this link, please do.  It only takes a moment and will make a difference.

If you have already sent an e-mail to your members of Congress – thank you.  Please consider making an even bigger impact by asking your friends, family and colleagues to join us.  You can easily forward the e-mail by clicking here.

A2IM will continue to keep you updated on our industry’s Congressional activity and other opportunities to get involved in protecting and defending the industry and art form that we all love.  In the meantime, be sure to join the Music Rights Now Facebook community or visit www.musicrightsnow.org for news and information of interest.

Posted in From The President, News, Notes & Noise by A2IM

Paste recently asked “Is Indie Dead?” with the answer being that it’s so alive that the term lacks meaning. Yet on the business side of the music business, the concept of independence still has currency—and perhaps more meaning than ever. So to unpack how independents are navigating the constantly reinvented music business, we talked to someone who should know: American Association of Independent Music President Rich Bengloff (A2IM).  Read the conversation Here