LOS ANGELES (Tiffany Shipp/ Ken
Sunshine Consultants) - Representatives of approximately 50 independent record labels attended the American Association of Independent Music's (A2IM) West Coast Founders Conclave on Monday in Los Angeles at the Knitting Factory where Acting President Don Rose reported significant progress in achieving parity with the majors in the areas of both digital distribution and access to radio.
AAIM officially launched in June, and announced their intention to move quickly to level the playing field for the indies, specifically in respect to digital distribution services. At Monday's meeting, Rose broke the news to attendees that Apple iTunes USA had raised their wholesale payout to independent labels from 65 cents per download to 70 cents per download. Rose also revealed that he has met with Microsoft's Bill Gates and MSN Music's General Manager, Mike Conte, on behalf of the independents.
ON MSN MUSIC
'Both gentlemen have expressed their desire to continue developing a mutually beneficial working relationship with the indies,' said Rose of his discussions with MSN Music. 'In terms of access and compensation, MSN
Music has become an ally to the independent record labels, a sector of the marketplace that provides new and innovative content to the mainstream music landscape.'
Rose shared a statement from MSN Music's General Manager, Mike Conte, which read:
"As part of our ongoing outreach to the independent labels, MSN Music recently met with Don Rose, President of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM). The indie music sector represents much of the cultural diversity throughout numerous genres in the music industry. MSN Music provides content from over 3,000 indie imprints and we're working with A2IM to resolve delivery and administrative issues in order to level the playing field for Indies in relation to the larger music companies."
ON SONY BMG SETTLEMENT
Rose also commented on the settlement of Elliott Spitzer's investigation of pay-for-play practices at mainstream radio.
'This settlement is important because it sheds light on a process which has traditionally excluded the indie label community' said Rose, 'We believe that there will be increased opportunity for our sector as a result. With a level playing field, the airwaves can better reflect the impact of indie labels and artists. We look forward to the development of an environment where great music, regardless of its source, has equal opportunity to be heard.'
A2IM FOUNDERS CONCLAVE
The Los Angeles Founders Conclave was led by Rose, along with four of A2IM's seven interim board members - Roadrunner Records senior VP/GM Doug Keogh, Lookout Records co-owner Molly Neuman, Tommy Boy Records owner Tom Silverman, and TVT Records president Steve Gottlieb. A2IM member Jared Hoffman, president of Knitting Factory Entertainment, joined the organization in June and offered his venue as the meeting space for the West Coast Conclave, which was attended by representatives of Concord, Epitaph, Metal Blade, New West Records, Six Degrees, WAR Records, Cleopatra Records, and Century Media, among others.
During the two-hour meeting, the group reiterated A2IM's mission and outlined its objectives, which include discovering opportunities to enhance indie growth and market share; urging the government and the industry to support fair trade practices and equal access to the media and in the marketplace; and aggressively exploring new and innovative forms of music distribution and exposure.
A2IM seeks to serve the indie music community as a unified voice representing a community that comprises nearly 30% of the music industry's market share in the US. The organization will represent the Indies' interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM will be headquartered in New York, and seeks to establish a legislative presence in Washington, DC as well.
About Don Rose, A2IM Acting President:
Don Rose is a self-made entrepreneur whose career in the independent music business spans 30+ years. He co-founded the Ryko Corporation in 1983 and spent sixteen years as Chairman/CEO. Ryko operations included record labels, distribution, music publishing and international offices. The world's first 'CD-only' label, Rykodisc originated the Ban The Box initiative in the late 80's and helped establish many of the parameters for CD content and packaging. Ryko reissued catalogue hits from Bowie, Zappa, Hendrix, and Elvis Costello and released albums by Ryko artists Morphine, Bruce Cockburn, Ringo Starr, and Grammy Award-winning albums by Ry Cooder/Ali Farka Toure and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead.
In 1999, Rose merged Ryko with Palm Pictures Entertainment and became the company's Director of Business Development. Focusing on new media and online initiatives, he developed a groundbreaking Napster association. He also oversaw the company's sizable settlements with MP3.com and MusicNet.
While living in London from 2001 to 2003, Rose served on the International Committee of the Association for Independent Music (AIM). Other career highlights include stints as a music industry consultant and as an expert witness. He has been an artist manager, record retailer and on the Board of Trustees of the Berklee College of Music since 1996. He currently resides in the Boston area with his wife, cookbook author Nina Simonds, and their teenage son, Jesse.
