11/02/2008 LDA & AIM Give Capital’s Music Businesses £650,000 Digital Boost

A new Digital Music Industry Support Programme is being supported by £650,000 from the London Development Agency (the LDA), and will be managed by the Association of Independent Music.

The grant, which is part of the LDA’s investment into Creative Industies in the capital, is intended to assist London’s small music companies in exploiting the opportunities and meeting the challenges of the digital music environment.

AIM General Manager Remi Harris developed the plan, along with AIM board member Rosie Bryant and advice from AIM’s new media committee. It follows on from the success of AIM’s work supporting the independent label sector on new media and digital issues, including the Music Connected networking events and the Musicindie digital deals.

Starting April 2008, and running until September 2009, a number of opportunites for free or subsidised business advice, access to research and information, access to work experience, freelance staff and small suppliers, business support and skills training will be made available to London’s music companies.

Beneficiaries of the programme could include any eligible small music business in London, from artists to venues, publishers, managers, labels and others. Furthermore, the project will ensure that support is targetted at under-represented groups in the music industry including companies led by women, black and minority ethnic people and people with disabilities.

Remi Harris, AIM General Manager, commented: "It was clear from our research that there is huge untapped potential in the exploitation of digital technologies for London’s small music companies. I hope that this service is able to have a wide-reach into all aspects of the music industry in London, and at all levels of expertise. It’s also very exciting for AIM be given the opportunity to bring this funding into the music industry.”





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