American Association of Independent Music
TheAmerican Association of Independent Music(A2IM) is atrade associationthat representsindependent record labelsin the United States, founded in 2005. A2IM is headquartered inNew York City,with chapters located inNashville,Chicago,Northern California,Southern California,and thePacific Northwest.Among other events, they organize the annualLibera Awards.
The organization was preceded by theNational Association of Independent Record Distributors(NAIRD) founded in 1972, which in 1997 changed its name to theAssociation for Independent Music(AFIM), which dissolved in 2004.
History[edit]
A2IM launched on July 5, 2005.[1]The organization has some 600 independent music label members and over 200 associate members[2](companies who don't ownmastersbut rely upon, provide services for, or otherwise support independent music labels). A2IM was preceded by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD) founded in 1972. In 1997 it changed its name to the Association for Independent Music (AFIM). As AFIM, the organization was best known for the annual issuing of Indie Awards, recognizing artistic and commercial success among artists signed to independent music labels. These were known as "NAIRD awards" prior to the name change. The AFIM Indie Awards were last issued in 2003, and the organization dissolved in 2004.[3][4]The name "Indie Award" has since been adopted by theCanadian Music Weekconvention.
Events[edit]
While A2IM presents events for members and non-members alike in various cities, they are best known for their three large-scale flagship events – IndieWeek, an independent music focused conference located in New York City,[5]the Libera Awards, an independent music award show located in New York City,[6]and Synchup, an independent music licensing and digital conference located inLos Angeles.[7]
Libera Awards[edit]
The Libera Awards occur annually to honor contributions to independent music.[8]
Structure[edit]
As of January 2019[update]A2IM's president and CEO isRichard James Burgess.[9]
The organization's board of directors is composed of the following:[10]
- Tony Alexander -Made In Memphis EntertainmentPresident/Managing Director
- Nabil Ayers -Beggars GroupPresident
- Mariah Czap -Yep Roc RecordsCo-General Manager, Head of Digital
- Dee Diaz -Reach RecordsVP of Digital Strategy
- Wilson Fuller -Merge RecordsHead of Digital
- Mary Jurey -Blue Élan RecordsChief Business Officer
- Heather Johnson -FiXTDirector of Label Operations
- Tony Kiewel -Sub Pop RecordsPresident
- Hays Rudolph -Secretly GroupGeneral Counsel/VP of Business & Legal Affairs
- Victor Zaraya -ConcordChief Operating Officer
- Zena White -Partisan RecordsChief Operating Officer
The organization's president's advisory board is composed of:[11]
- Kristin Epstein -Screenwave MediaVice President
- Steve Kline -Better Noise MusicPresident, COO
- Jennifer Newman Sharpe -Exceleration MusicGeneral Counsel/VP of Business & Legal Affairs
- Elliott Peters -Empire DistributionSVP of Global Business
- Jason Peterson -CINQ Music,GoDigital Media GroupCEO, Founder
- Reed Watson -Single Lock RecordsCo-Owner
Associations[edit]
It is a member of theWorld Independent Network,which represents most of the world's independent music label trade organizations.[12]
References[edit]
- ^Steve Gordon (2011).The Future of the Music Business: How to Succeed with the New Digital Technologies,pp. 273–276. Hal Leonard Corporation.ISBN1617130729
- ^"Join A2IM".
- ^Chris Morris (17 April 2004)."AFIM to Shut; New Era begins?.Billboard,pp. 6 and 77
- ^Geoffrey Hull, Thomas Hutchison, Richard Strasser (2011).The Music and Recording Business,pp. 188; 317. Routledge.ISBN113691112X
- ^A2IM Indie Week
- ^The Libera Awards
- ^A2IM SynchUp
- ^Rys, Dan (June 22, 2012)."Bon Iver, Arcade Fire Named Best of the Independents at Inaugural Libera Awards".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMarch 19,2020.
- ^Garner, George (17 January 2019)."A2IM reveal host of new promotions".Music Week.Retrieved18 August2019.
- ^"A2IM WELCOMES 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS".American Association of Independent Music.25 July 2023.
- ^"A2IM WELCOMES 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS".American Association of Independent Music.25 July 2023.
- ^"WIN Members".Worldwide Independent Networks.Archived fromthe originalon 16 August 2019.Retrieved17 August2019.
Further reading[edit]
- Roberts, Paul F. (March 20, 2007)."The fate of indie music as we know it".Salon.