07/01/2008 AIM Hosts Music Business Funding Summit:
Investing In Music


The Association of Independent Music will on Thursday 10th January host Investing In Music - a one-off discussion exploring the tricky issue of attracting finance for up-and-coming music businesses.

The invite-only event, supported by Creative & Cultural Skills, will see music industry and government top brass examine funding challenges and opportunities in front of a select audience of financiers and music executives.

Creative Industries Minister Margaret Hodge will join Steve Levine, Robin Millar, Martin Mills (MBE), Stephen Navin, Stephan Bourdoiseau, Cliff Dane, Ian (Wez) Westley, Stephen Bass, Paulette Long and Geraint Howells for a roundtable discussion of funding options (titles below).

Audience members include representatives from leading media finance houses and executives from the fields of recording, production and publishing.

Said Margaret Hodge "It's no secret that it can be tricky for small and medium sized music businesses to access finance. This type of event is crucially important in helping everyone understand the reasons why problems arise and how we can work together to address them. I look forward to attending AIM's Finance Day."

Commented AIM Chairman & Chief Executive Alison Wenham “AIM has organised this one-off event to bring together young entrepreneurs and experienced industry practitioners with representatives from government, public and private funding bodies, to discuss the investment opportunities in the vibrant independent sector. We welcome the Minister’s attendance, and look forward to sharing some of our ideas and issues with her and the audience”.

Tom Bewick, Chief Executive of Creative & Cultural Skills, added “It is estimated that the UK accounts for almost 15% of the global music market though employment levels remain comparatively low: around 130,000 recorded jobs. Our research shows that the music industry is disparate and diverse. There are hundreds of small businesses concerned with simply staying afloat, let alone focusing on the career training and development that will enable them to continue competing on a global level. With the advent of digitisation and global convergence the industry is changing rapidly and access to finance is of key importance. I look forward to the dialogue this event will facilitate”






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