Ind-E-Focus

The Association of Independent Music (AIM) reports on the apointment  of the Chairman and Vice Chairs of the Worldwide independent network, which gives support to independent musicians and record labels;

The Board meeting of the international independent music association WIN  at Midem this year marked the completion of Alison Wenham’s two-years of inaugural Presidency, which has 

seen this grouping extend its membership to labels and independent music trade associations in 25 countries across all continents, while providing collective impetus for the formation of Merlin to work with the independent sector in commercial exploitation of their copyrights.

The WIN Board unanimously requested Wenham to continue to lead the organisation for the next two years. In line with firmer constitutional proposals relating to structure and funding of WIN, which were also agreed, the organisation reserved the Presidency as a titular position for a possible future appointment and Wenham was voted Chairman. The widening business and geographical focus of WIN was recognised with the appointment of four Vice Chairmen: David Vodicka, Chairman of Australian Independent Records (AIR); Mark Chung, Chairman of German independents trade body VUT; Portia Sabin, representing the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM); and Duncan McKie, President and CEO Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA).

The WIN Board Agenda at Midem included review of the broadly successful first Independents Day in 2008, and noted that an increased number of territories intend to build on this promotional event in ID09; an IFPI presentation of research on the effectiveness of collecting societies – with particular reference to income for independent labels; and an update on the development of the digital data exchange DDEX.

About WIN

WIN was founded in July 2006 and is the first body created to exclusively represent the rights and interests of the global independent music community.

The formation of WIN was a natural result of the rapidly growing network of independent trade bodies and home label members. Wherever companies are based, they tend to face the same issues of market concentration, massive technological change and little individual resource to respond.

WIN's first priorities were therefore defined by the global membership, and included the creation of Merlin, the world's first global new media rights licensing agency.

Both WIN and Merlin's very existence is punctuated by their mission to empower global strength through collective resources. As each draw upon the worldwide independent music community, both organizations will work together to help each others directives wherever possible for the best possible results for our members. (Source: AIM - Worldwide Independent Network Appoints Chairman and Vice Chairs)