22/12/2006 2006 - An Eventful Year for AIM and the Independent Community

2006 has been an eventful year for AIM and the independent community, and as the year draws to a close AIM looks back over the events and achievements of 2006.


MEMBERSHIP

AIM’s membership grew steeply, with more record labels choosing to join AIM than ever before - over 190 spanning all genres of music and in every corner of the UK. AIM now represents over 930 independent labels, from small artist-run start-ups to the most successful independent labels in the world. This vast increase shows that independent music is thriving: we hope to see the birth of many more labels in 2007.

Affiliate membership increased by four - AIM was pleased to welcome the South West Music Industry Forum, North East Recording Organisation (NERO), The Music Development Agency for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (HAIL) and the Music Publisher Association (MPA).


TRAINING AND EVENTS

Raising funds from Arts Council England and Creative London, AIM has expanded its training and events programme. In addition to the big success with Music Connected we hosted a further 8 events for members, including the first three modules in our Label Management Course. Our mentoring scheme was relaunched, with 25 AIM members given support by experienced industry executives to develop their businesses. A bursary scheme helped under- represented groups to join the organisation.

Over 200 AIM members attended induction meetings in London, and we also visited many members at events around the UK - Cardiff, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Brighton, Belfast, Liverpool, Guildford, Leeds and Manchester.


MARKETING

In association with The Independent AIM launched the magazine Independent Music in February. Specialising in featuring music from independent record companies, it has been so successful that it moved from quarterly to monthly publication in September. We're very proud of having delivered this marketing platform for independents. AIM also continued its association with the Impala Awards for independent sales across Europe.


INTERNATIONAL

AIM again co-hosted the British stands at Midem and Popkomm, always the busiest sites at these major music trade fairs. This year record numbers of AIM members attended, with 245 delegates across both events.

AIM also ran successful missions to America, India, China and Australia, helping members to access contacts and business in these key and developing territories. The international email ring continues to enable members to access international help by submitting their questions to a group of international experts within the membership who are always on hand to advise.


AIM DIGITAL

AIM Digital made history with the world's first podcast licence; the first step in the development of a legitimate podcast industry. The Music Connected event was a huge success in bringing together digital and music industry companies for networking, learning and dealmaking.

Collective licensing deals were completed with MusicBrigade, Soundbuzz, SINA, Groove Mobile and arvato gnab, and existing relationships with Naptser, eMusic and other licensees successfully maintained. The AIM Digital survey assisted in understanding labels' new media needs and in deciding on the future of AIM Digital - some exciting announcements are planned for 2007.


BUSINESS AFFAIRS

AIM set up a new initiative with GS1 to provide members with discounts on barcode numbers and specialist training. AIM provided an independent perspective on the MCPS-PRS Alliance Joint Online Licence (JOL), which was referred to the Copyright Tribunal by the BPI, online music providers and mobile operators. We held regular discussions with MCPS on how to improve the operation of their Audio Product schemes, and removed barriers to becoming an AP1 licensee. AIM also helped PPL to develop and structure their new media licensing platform.

AIM led the industry debate on copyright reform and published discussion paper Copyright Reform in the Digital Age. The proposals of the well received paper were debated by an industry round table and considered by the Gowers Review and now form the cornerstone of several organisations’ forward strategy.


LOBBYING

The need to maintain good contact with Ministers, MPs and Government Departments is one of AIM’s priorities. Lobbying in support of the interests of independents - and the music industry as a whole – must be part of continual friendly but firm dialogue. Accordingly, in 2006 AIM responded to the call for evidence from the Gowers IP Review, and to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Enquiry on New Media in the Creative Industries. Supported by the AIM Government Relations Committee, we took the lead in fresh industry thinking which - after a major Round Table discussion – led to the ongoing pan industry working group on Value Recognition as a concept for monetising copyright in the digital age.


FRIENDS OF AIM

The Friends of AIM scheme has continued to grow, facilitating trade between an increasingly wide range of suppliers and AIM members. 26 new Friends joined, bringing the total to 77.


AWARDS

In April AIM's Chairman and CEO Alison Wenham became the first woman inducted into the prestigious MMF Hall of Fame. Acknowledging her contribution to the independent music community, AIM and the wider music industry turned out in force to show their appreciation at the ceremony.


COMMUNICATION

Our new website, www.musicindie.com, launched late last year and has grown to become a daily part of members’ lives and an important resource for anyone interested in the independent music industry. AIM followed the website relaunch with a revamp of members’ e- bulletins and the launch of the official AIM e-zine. This provides a platform for expressing not only AIM initiatives, activities and successes, but also those of our members. Circulated to industry, government, press and international contacts, it has vastly increased awareness of AIM and the independent community.




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