A2IM: American Association of Independent Music

Posted in Advocacy, News by A2IM

A2IM is a member of the global independent label community representing our members’ rights and interests pertaining to issues and opportunities that occur or exist outside of the U.S.  We represent our members via A2IM being a member of WIN (Worldwide Independent Network) which has representatives from over 20 countries looking at areas of common interest on a worldwide basis.

As we’ve previously reported, WIN has published a Global Indie Manifesto and we’re asking for your label’s endorsement of the Manifesto and for you to share the Manifesto with your artists and artist managers and ask them to also endorse this document.

We need all endorsement quotes, with photographs if possible, by September 25^th. Please send them to Jim Mahoney.

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The purpose of this Indie Manifesto:

The indie music sector is creative, confident and successful. Worldwide it is now impressively big. It is distinct and different from the major multinationals – and is recognized for that by artists and the public and, increasingly, by business and politics.

Now is a very good time to say what this  important difference is:  that the strength of the indie music sector comes from its character – a shared set of beliefs, ideas, ambitions and ways of working which are at the heart of the independent  music business  anywhere in the world, even though there are local differences

Why we need your endorsement:

·         For the first time there is a clear global view of what are the basic, unchanging beliefs and values which can and should be put into practice by all independent music companies. So through WIN, the Worldwide Independent Network, indie music trade associations have worked together this year to write a 10-point worldwide indie music manifesto.

·         We recognise that the global independent music sector has a market share which places it firmly alongside the major multinationals; and as the driver of creativity and artist development, the indie music sector is better than the majors.

·         As WIN spreads the common themes outlined in the Indie Manifesto your endorsement adds to the strength and impact of the message which in turn improves your business and how your artists are treated in the market.

Additional Info:

This manifesto is not political.  It is not aggressive.  It is not a binding set of rules.

It pulls together what we already know is generally true, and best, about the indie music sector, and the common goals we all are or should be working towards. For example, the partnership approach of indie music companies and their artists is already widely recognized and respected: where such an approach is embedded in any company’s business practice  it  leads naturally to fairness in commercial dealings between artists and labels.  We should work towards ensuring that this approach is adopted by all indies, and that it is reciprocal – recognizing and rewarding the input of both artists and their  partners, the labels.  It recognizes that all independent music businesses contribute to local culture, diversity, jobs and export opportunities, and multiply the economic success of related industries- so deserve Government recognition and support. It calls for fair and transparent allocation and distribution of collecting society revenue.

Posted in News by A2IM

Among the takeaways from Midem 2012 that we want you to be aware of is the Independent Music Label Manifesto meeting organized by WIN (the Worldwide Independent Network) and Impala (the European umbrella independent label trade organization).  This kick-off meeting, designed to unite independent labels on common global issues, featured participation from independent label owners from over 20 countries (including 25 A2IM label representatives from 18 labels vocalizing the U.S. indie perspective).  The goal is to publicly release a Manifesto from independent labels; a Manifesto verbalizing the indie perspective on important issues and about how we expect our artists’ contributions to be valued and treated in the world marketplace.

The Manifesto is in draft stages with your A2IM board of directors providing additional input.  The public release is scheduled to occur during A2IM’s Indie Week in NYC the week of June 18^th.

A Music Network news report on the Manifesto, although not totally on point (Rich Bengloff’s comment on the shrinking marketplace related to export market share of U.S. music by all U.S. music creators, not indie share) gives a U.S. perspective as well as that our colleagues from Belgium, Germany and the U.K. More in the coming months…..

Posted in Events, Members Only by A2IM

On Sunday January 29^th 2012, come and help create a Global Manifesto for the Independent Music Industry under the auspices of WIN and IMPALA.

This event will address the urgent need for independents to come together in the face of ever-increasing concentration in our industry to produce a Global Manifesto for the future of our sector.

This is an unmissable chance for all independent Trade Associations and their members across the world to debate and agree a 10 point manifesto to promote and protect independent music around the world.

Meeting Agenda: Presentation of a draft 10-point Manifesto by a panel of  WIN and IMPALA members followed by open debate and decisions on the final Manifesto content. Speakers already confirmed include Jonas Sjostrom of Playground, Martin Mills of Beggars Group, Rich Bengloff of A2IM, Helen Smith of IMPALA, and Alison Wenham of AIM/WIN.

Date: Sunday 29 January 2012

Time: 2pm to 5pm

Venue: Auditorium I , Level 4, Palais Des Congres

This is an invitation-only meeting, and seating is strictly limited to one (possibly two) A2IM members per company.  Please note, the organizers of this event have limited it to master owner/label members only.  Please RSVP to Sheryl@a2im.org

Posted in News by A2IM

In the two days since A2IM posted a Call-To-Action in response to the looting and subsequent fire in London which destroyed the PIAS warehouse, A2IM has received numerous inquires about additional ways members can get involved and offer help.  Today, our AIM colleagues in the UK, in coordination with PIAS, have announced  the creation of a fund to help independents affected by the catastrophe.

Information about the fund including where to send donations AND information about how to receive assistance if you are one of the many affected labels is HERE.

Posted in News by A2IM

A2IM would appreciate it if all of our members will re-post this item, Tweet it, and share it with your fans & friends.

Among all the sorry carnage and sad tales left by London’s looting fraternity over the last three days, perhaps the most devastating for music lovers was the huge fire that destroyed a Sony warehouse primarily used by independent distribution company PIAS.

A three-story, 20,000 square meter storage home for music from a number of independent labels from the UK and the US including 4AD, Beggars Group, Dead Oceans, Def Jux, Domino, Jagjaguwar, Matador, Ninja Tune, Polyvinyl, Rough Trade, Secretly Canadian, Side One Dummy, Silva Screen, Sub Pop, Too Pure, True Panther, Vagrant, Warp, XL among others. (A full list from PIAS’s website is here).  The warehouse was a temporary home for releases from all manner of indie labels and offshoots, and the extent of its destruction is starting to become tragically apparent.  While the full impact of last night’s events is still emerging, numerous indies have confirmed massive losses.  Beggars Chairman Martin Mills called it a “horrible” setback for the indie sector.

What music fans can do to show their support for the indie label community, and help them survive this disaster is to buy a digital download of an album from any one of the digital retailers going to their local record store while stocks last.

This way, the labels will be able to remanufacture their CD’s and vinyl more quickly, to resupply the record shops who are also affected by the riots.

Alison Wenham, Chairman and CEO of AIM, the UK’s Trade Association for the Independent Music Industry commented: “This is a disaster for the music community, but with the fans’ help, labels and artists will survive. Please show your support for the music community by buying a digital album from an independent label today”.