New York, NY. (Top 40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - "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."
A2IM Announces Details of Events For "American Independent Pavilion" At 2009 MIDEM Conference
The American Association of Independent Music will be hosting the American pavilion at the annual MIDEM conference in Cannes, France for the fourth year. To celebrate with their fellow Americans (and anyone else excited by the historic election of Barack Obama), A2IM will be hosting an inauguration viewing party on Tuesday, January 20th. MIDEM is a gathering of over 9,000 international music labels, publishers, artist managers, and more who gather to do business, and will run from January 18 - 21, 2009.
"As we dip into an economic recession," explains A2IM President Rich Bengloff, "artist and music label income from music licensing and foreign sources including distribution have become crucial for the financial existence of both independent artists and labels." In their quest to keep their members independent, not dependent, A2IM is pleased to be able to offer its members participation in the pavilion free of charge as well as considerably discounted MIDEM registration rates. A2IM is able to offer this service thanks, in large part, to the generosity of MIDEM and A2IM's pavilion sponsors, A2IM founding member Royalty Share (Platinum sponsor) for the third year in a row and Sound Exchange (Gold Sponsor) the not-for-profit performance rights organization, as part of their ongoing outreach to independent artists and labels.
RoyaltyShare CEO and founder Bob Kohn noted that, "The digital revolution has leveled the playing field for independent labels. We are pleased to help tilt the field in their favor by being a Platinum sponsor of the A2IM pavilion and supporting the independent music community at MIDEM 2009." Rich Bengloff noted that "both A2IM and associate members like RoyaltyShare serve as the extra employees for the A2IM music labels and serve the independent music community as a whole. Without supporters like Royalty Share and SoundExchange the independent music community would be without the supporting economies of scale necessary for independent music labels to move forward and flourish."
'We are thrilled to be a part of the A2IM pavilion at Midem again,' said SoundExchange Executive Director John Simson. 'Everyone comes by the A2IM pavilion and we are able to get a lot of business done efficiently and effectively. It almost seems like we're meeting with hundreds of independent labels and artists at once. The great recordings that A2IM labels and their artists make contribute so much to our cultural heritage and our music community, both in the United States and around the world. We are proud to protect their rights, be their advocates and push for equity in a terrestrial performing right that recognizes the value of these great recordings.'
A2IM President Rich Bengloff also notes, "Music consumer trends are migrating from a sales consumption model to a performance (internet radio, satellite radio, time-shifting, etc.) consumption model. People's devotion to music is as strong as ever, it's just that consumption patterns have changed and the rules have changed as a result. 109 A2IM member companies will be coming to MIDEM with over 180 total participants working out of the A2IM pavilion. MIDEM is still the central business conference that gives independent music labels access to these revenue sources and A2IM is very pleased to be able to help provide an increased focused profile for our members at MIDEM."
Please join A2IM at their Pavilion, R 36.18, for the following events:
Sunday, Jan 18 - A2IM Cocktail Reception 5-7pm, sponsored by Echospin (A2IM Pavilion)
Monday, Jan 19 - A2IM Cocktail Reception 5-7pm, sponsored by Getty Images (A2IM Pavilion)
Tues, Jan 20 - A2IM Business Meeting open to all American Independents 9:30-11:00am, sponsored by Koch Entertainment (Palais des Festivals Auditorium H)
Tues, Jan 20 - A2IM Inauguration Celebration Cocktail Reception 5-7pm, sponsored by Counterpoint Systems (A2IM Pavilion)
Sunday, Jan 18/Monday Jan 19- speed dating with AIM- sign-up at A2IM booth
Numerous A2IM members and associate members will be featured on panels during MIDEM and MidemNet.
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
