American Association of Independent Music

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The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) is a trade association that represents independent record labels in the United States, founded in 2005. A2IM is headquartered in New York City, with chapters located in Nashville, Chicago, Northern California, Southern California, and the Pacific Northwest. Among other events, they organize the annual Libera Awards.

Contents

The organization was preceded by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD) founded in 1972, which in 1997 changed its name to the Association for Independent Music (AFIM), which dissolved in 2004.

History

A2IM launched on July 5, 2005. [1] The organization has some 600 independent music label members and over 200 associate members [2] (companies who don't own masters but rely upon, provide services for, or otherwise support independent music labels). A2IM was preceded by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD) founded in 1972. In 1997 it changed its name to the Association for Independent Music (AFIM). As AFIM, the organization was best known for the annual issuing of Indie Awards, recognizing artistic and commercial success among artists signed to independent music labels. These were known as "NAIRD awards" prior to the name change. The AFIM Indie Awards were last issued in 2003, and the organization dissolved in 2004. [3] [4] The name "Indie Award" has since been adopted by the Canadian Music Week convention.

Events

While A2IM presents events for members and non-members alike in various cities, they are best known for their three large-scale flagship events – IndieWeek, an independent music focused conference located in New York City, [5] the Libera Awards, an independent music award show located in New York City, [6] and Synchup, an independent music licensing and digital conference located in Los Angeles. [7]

Libera Awards

The Libera Awards occur annually to honor contributions to independent music. [8]

Structure

As of January 2019 A2IM's president and CEO is Richard James Burgess. [9]

The organization's board of directors is composed of the following: [10]

The organization's president's advisory board is composed of: [11]

Associations

It is a member of the World Independent Network, which represents most of the world's independent music label trade organizations. [12]

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The Libera Award for Record of the Year is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "best album released commercially in the United States by an independent label" since 2012.

The Libera Awards are an annual awards ceremony organized by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM). First hosted in 2012, the awards celebrate the independent music community. The capstone of A2IM's Indie Week, an annual music business conference, the ceremony has been able to be viewed by the public since 2020.

The Libera Award for Best Breakthrough Artist is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "independent artist whose release exceeded a certain total of streams or equivalent sales" since 2012. The category was previously called Up & Comer Award in 2012 to 2014.

The Libera Award for Video of the Year is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "most impactful or visually compelling short-form music video" since 2012.

The Libera Award for Best Sync Usage is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "most creative and impactful use of independent music in a film or television or ad campaign" since 2012.

The Libera Award for Label of the Year categories are presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "best independent record label worldwide" since 2012. The category is divided into three other categories, based on the number of full-time employees. Independent record labels with more than fifteen full-time employees are categorized into the Label of the Year (Large). Label of the Year (Medium) categorizes independent record labels with six to fourteen full-time employees. Record labels with five full-time employees or fewer are categorized into the Label of the Year (Small) category.

The Libera Award for Best Live/Livestream Act is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "best live concert performances by an independent label" since 2013.

The Libera Award for Marketing Genius is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "the most innovative and creative marketing campaign for a project released by an Independent label or artist" since 2012. The category was known as Light Bulb Award in 2012 to 2014.

The Libera Award for Best Dance/Electronic Record is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "best dance or electronic music album released commercially in the United States by an independent label" since 2017. The first recipient of the awards was British musician Bonobo for his album Migration.

The Libera Award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "best hip hop or rap album released commercially in the United States by an independent label" since 2017.

The 2022 Libera Awards was held on June 16, 2022, to recognize the best in independent music presented by the American Association of Independent Music. The ceremony streamed live on YouTube.

The Libera Award for Best American Roots Record is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "best americana album released commercially in the United States by an independent label" since 2017.

The Libera Award for Best Classical Record is an award presented by the American Association of Independent Music at the annual Libera Award which recognizes "best classical music album released commercially in the United States by an independent label" since 2018.

References

  1. ↑ Steve Gordon (2011). The Future of the Music Business: How to Succeed with the New Digital Technologies, pp. 273–276. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN   1617130729
  2. ↑ "Join A2IM".
  3. ↑ Chris Morris (17 April 2004). "AFIM to Shut; New Era begins?. Billboard , pp. 6 and 77
  4. ↑ Geoffrey Hull, Thomas Hutchison, Richard Strasser (2011). The Music and Recording Business, pp. 188; 317. Routledge. ISBN   113691112X
  5. ↑ A2IM Indie Week
  6. ↑ The Libera Awards
  7. ↑ A2IM SynchUp
  8. ↑ Rys, Dan (June 22, 2012). "Bon Iver, Arcade Fire Named Best of the Independents at Inaugural Libera Awards". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  9. ↑ Garner, George (17 January 2019). "A2IM reveal host of new promotions". Music Week. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  10. ↑ "A2IM WELCOMES 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS". American Association of Independent Music. 25 July 2023.
  11. ↑ "A2IM WELCOMES 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS". American Association of Independent Music. 25 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "WIN Members". Worldwide Independent Networks. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.

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