AIM CEO Paul Pacifico unveiled a series of measures during the trade body’s AGM designed to bolster the independent labels sector.
Giving his first address at an AIM AGM following his appointment late last year, Pacifico said that the music industry had experienced a “year of optimism”. AIM recently celebrated some of the recent successes of Stormzy and The xx at its annual awards.
A former CEO at the Featured Artists Coalition, Pacifico has also been quick to forge closer ties with the FAC. Announcing a strategic partnership between the two organisations, he said the sharing of knowledge would benefit a new generation of music entrepreneurs.
“The fastest-growing segment of AIM’s membership is self-releasing artists,” he said.
Pacifico revealed new partnerships with PRS For Music, Pirate Studios and Digital Catapult, an organisation which helps to drive digital innovation for the economy. AIM also announced support for members on anti-piracy measures with the help of global technology firm Muso.
During his address at the AGM, Pacifico revealed that AIM is involved in framing a music and innovation licence for tech start-ups working with music which covers both publishing and master rights.
Tim Dellow of Transgressive, who was elected AIM chair this year, gave a keynote address in which he addressed innovation within the indie sector.
“A big part of what we’ll be seeking to do with AIM in the future is to have this real entrepreneurship in the sector recognised both within the industry, and outside of it, generating the same respect and opportunities for all of you hard working, intelligent, ground-breaking entrepreneurs that the UK tech and film industries have,” he said.
During a discussion involving retiring board members - Hannah Overton (Secretly Group), Lesley Bleakley (Beggars Group), Peter Quicke (Ninja Tune) and Peter Thompson (Play It Again Sam Recordings) - attention soon turned to how indies should respond to the rise of streaming.
“I don’t think streaming is bringing a lot to artist development,” said PIAS UK MD Peter Thompson. “There’s a danger the music industry can become obsessed with streaming and not artist development.”
Overton, GM Europe at Secretly Group, added that streaming playlists need to be monitored to ensure Apple, Spotify and other services are representing indies. “If you dig deep, we are not getting our market share coverage,” she said.
Helen Smith of IMPALA gave a presentation on Brexit and copyright reform from a Brussels perspective. A discussion between Pacifico and Joe Mount (Metronomy), Shingai Shoniwa (Noisettes) covered the future of the artist and label relationship.
As part of the formal business of the AGM four new AIM board members were appointed:
Emily Moxon – Brownswood Recordings
Martin Mills – Beggars Group
Nadia Khan – Dench Records
Nigel Adams – Full Time Hobby
The AGM for AIM, whose membership comprises more than 800 independent music companies, was held at Glaziers Hall in London.
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