(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) will present a high-profile American Independent Pavilion at MIDEM 2006 in Cannes, France from January 22-26. The Pavilion will allow US indies to make an impressive showing at the music industry’s most important international conference. Participation at the American Independent Pavilion is free to A2IM members, who will also be afforded a discounted registration rate to the convention. A2IM is able to offer its members this opportunity at minimal cost thanks, in part, to sponsorship by MSN Music.
The American Indie Pavilion will be prominently featured on the exhibition floor and allow American indies to showcase their products to labels, publishers, distributors, merchandisers, and others from around the world. Over 30 companies, including labels such as Tommy Boy, TVT, Robbins Entertainment and Ultra Records are already confirmed to attend.
"MIDEM is pleased to welcome A2IM as a new exhibitor in 2006," says Dominique Leguern, the director of MIDEM "The American Independent Pavilion will further confirm the growing importance of the independent music industry around the world."
MIDEM will also be the site of the first 2006 A2IM meeting where members will interact with the worldwide independent label coalition. Since its formation, A2IM has held informative meetings for prospective membership in New York, Los Angeles, and most recently in Nashville, where A2IM Acting President, Don Rose first announced the organization’s opportunity at MIDEM.
“We encourage our members to join us at MIDEM to enhance the scope of their involvement in the international music market,” says Rose. “The US Indie community represents a substantial piece of the music market, but individually, indie labels have not always had the means to participate in an international forum like MIDEM with such an impressive platform. Since the US government does not subsidize the exportation of American music, we have assumed the responsibility of doing so in a collective sense, and with sponsorship from MSN Music, are able to offer our members this opportunity at very low cost.”
A2IM launched in June 2005 to represent the particular and compelling interests of the independent label community. Since its inception, A2IM has been hard at work on behalf of the independent sector, which makes up nearly 30% of US traditional sales and 35%+ of digital sales. In July, the organization announced that their collective presence had led to the decision by Apple iTunes to increase the amount paid per download to indie labels to more closely match the higher rate enjoyed by the majors. Currently, the organization counts over 100 independent labels as members and continues in its core mission to serve as a unified voice representing the indie community’s interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community.
A2IM, headquartered in New York, seeks to establish a legislative presence in Washington, DC. The organization’s founding members are Beggars Group CEO Lesley Bleakley, Thirsty Ear President Peter Gordon, TVT Records President Steve Gottlieb, Roadrunner Records SVP/GM Doug Keogh, Bar/None owner Glenn Morrow, Lookout Records co-owner Molly Neuman, and Tommy Boy Records owner Tom Silverman. Rykodisc founder Don Rose serves the organization as Acting President.
Independent labels interested in participating in the American Independent Pavilion may contact Membership Development Director Rob Weitzner for details at rob@A2IM.org. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
