State of the Independents

 
Independent music labels are a commanding presence in today's landscape and they show no signs of slowing down in 2013. 

Here's a recap of Independent accomplishments from 2012:

-- Grew to 32.57% share of the market, a larger share than any single major label based on market share (Billboard, 1/07/2013).
-- Seven consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 with three of the year's biggest selling albums - Mumford & Sons' 'Babel' (Glassnote), Jason Aldean's 'Night Train' (Broken Bow) and Taylor Swift's 'Red' (Big Machine). 
-- 40% of Pandora music streams; 30-35% of Sirius programming and growing airplay on terrestrial radio. A2IM also secured inclusion for Independents at Clear Channel's bi-annual programmer label presentations.
-- 50% of Grammy nominations in 2013 and 34 wins in 2012, including Best New Artist and several best album categories. Indies also scored 100% of the awards at the 11th annual Americana Music Awards.
-- First-ever government funding grant to support music exports was secured by A2IM in 2012. The MDCP funding grant helped send Independents to MIDEM, while additional government funding supported the group first trade mission to Asia.
-- Inaugural A2IM Libera Awards were a sold-out success during Indie Week, honoring fellow Independents as voted on by Independents. The evening applauded Martin Mills, Founder and Chairman of the Beggars Group as the Lifetime Achievement recipient.
-- Biggest Indie Week yet, with over 500 industry executives and staff gathering in NYC to discuss issues and learn from each other, speakers included Pandora’s Tim Westergren, Free Ride author Rob Levine and keynoter U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel.


About A2IM
A2IM is a not-for-profit trade organization serving the Independent music community as a unified voice representing a sector that comprises over 30% of the music industry's market share in the United States (and almost 40% of SoundScan digital sales). The organization represents the Independents' interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. A2IM is headquartered in New York City.

The organization's board of directors is composed of the following: Daptone Records General Manager Cathy Bauer; Sub Pop VP of Business Affairs Eric Brown; Epitaph General Manager Dave Hansen; Yep Roc Records Co-Owner Tor Hansen; Alligator Records Founder/CEO Bruce Iglauer; The Beggars Group Founder/CEO Martin Mills; Glassnote Records General Manager Chris Scully; Naxos of America CEO Jim Selby; Tommy Boy CEO/Founder Tom Silverman; Dead Oceans/Jagjaguwar/Secretly Canadian Founder/Co-Owner Darius Van Arman; Razor & Tie COO Victor Zaraya.
 
For more information, or to become a member, please visit