A2IM Receives Presidential Award for Export Service

NEW YORK, May 16, 2016: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today presented A2IM (American Association of Independent Music) with the President's "E" Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, DC. The President's "E" Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

"A2IM has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The "E" Awards Committee was very impressed with A2IM's dedication in assisting its members to enter export markets. The organization's sponsorship and participation in trade missions was also particularly notable. A2IM's achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs," said Secretary Pritzker in her congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient.

A2IM is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade organization representing a diverse group of over 350 Independently owned American record labels. As an organization they strive to improve business by promoting access and parity through advocacy, education and connection-building with one another and affiliated businesses.

"According to the latest IFPI report, the global recorded music revenues totaled over $15 billion in 2015, a 3.2% increase from the previous year. This has been heavily due to streaming revenues which affect both major and independent labels alike," said Jennifer Masset, A2IM, Senior Director of Member Services. "With our help, our Label Members have increased their exports significantly and as we continue to support trade mission efforts, we hope to see that percentage grow even more. Exporting and licensing copyrighted content is such a high-growth, high-margin area for the independent music sector and A2IM's objectives are to assist members in all aspects of increasing them. This growth is pivotal in creating opportunities and more jobs in the small to medium-sized music labels that we represent. A2IM also actively takes a stand on global piracy issues and we hope to decrease content theft, which in turn increases exporting."

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II "E" symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. Today, Secretary Pritzker honored 123 U.S. companies with the President's "E" Award for their outstanding work to reduce barriers to foreign markets and to open the door to more trade around the world.

In 2015, U.S. exports totaled $2.23 trillion, accounting for nearly 13 percent of U.S. GDP. Nationally, exports contributed to the U.S. economy, supporting an estimated 11.5 million jobs.

U.S. companies are nominated for the "E" Awards through the Department of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service office network, located within the Department's International Trade Administration, with offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth and case studies which demonstrate valuable support to exporters resulting in increased exports for the company's clients.

For more information about the "E" Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov.

About A2IM

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, A2IM is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade organization headquartered in New York City representing a broad coalition of 391 Independently-owned American music labels. The organization represents these independently owned small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. In doing so it supports a key segment of America's creative class that represents America's diverse musical cultural heritage. Billboard Magazine, using Nielsen SoundScan data, identified the Independent music label sector as 34.4 percent of the music industry's U.S. recorded music sales market in 2015 based on copyright ownership, making Independent labels collectively the largest music industry segment.

The organization's board of directors are composed of the following: Razor & Tie President Craig Balsam, Concord Music Group President Glen Barros, INgrooves General Manager Amy Dietz, Epitaph/Anti- General Manager Dave Hansen, Beggars Group Chairman Martin Mills, Hopeless Records Owner Louis Posen, Dualtone Music Group CEO/Co-Founder Scott Robinson, Kill Rock Stars Owner/President Portia Sabin, Adshare President Jim Selby, Tommy Boy Owner/CEO Thomas Silverman, and Secretly Group Co-Founder/Co-Owner Darius Van Arman. A2IM's president's advisory committee is Curb Records Vice President Taylor Childress, Red House Records Vice President Chris Frymire, and Innovative Leisure Co-Owner Nate Nelson.

http://www.a2im.org