A2IM Libera Awards 2013 Submissions and Nominations Process is OPEN

 
A2IM, the American Association of Independent Music, is now accepting nominations for the 2013 A2IM Libera Awards (The "Libbys"), celebrating the successes of independent artists and labels in the only awards show voted on solely by the independent community. Last year's inaugural Libbys, which garnered coverage from the Wall Street Journal and Billboard, recognized Daptone Records, Spotify, Glassnote Records, Bon Iver, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Martin Mills, among other winners. 

The deadline for submitting nominations is Sunday, February 17th.

The list of categories is below as well as links providing easy to follow instructions about how to submit for each category. Submissions must be completed on these provided forms and returned via email to Libbys@a2im.org. 

Category: Independent Album of the Year sponsored by Spotify

Category: Independent Label of the Year Award (5 Employees or less worldwide)

Category: Independent Label of the Year Award (6 Employees or more worldwide)

Category: Up and Comer Award sponsored by eMusic, celebrating the next independent label superstar artist; to qualify artist must have total career sales not exceeding 5000 full length albums or 25,000 tracks (combined)

Category: Video of the Year

Category: Best Sync Usage for the most creative or most impactful use of independent music in a film/tv/ad campaign

Category: Music Supervisor of the Yearfor the music supervisor/licensing person who was especially supportive of independent music labels

Category: Light Bulb Award celebrating the most innovative/creative marketing campaign by an independent label or artist

Category: Hardest Working Artist of the Year celebrating the independent label band/artist that worked hardest at their job or was the most instrumental in promoting their music

Category: Best Live Act of the Year celebrating the independent label band/artist that had the best live act 

Category: Creative Packaging Award (Physical or Digital) celebrating the best or most creative packaging - including bundled packages, premium offerings or artwork/design packaging - from an independent label or artist in the last 12 months

Category: 21st Century Award celebrating the service provider or platform that was most beneficial to independent labels and artists

The A2IM Libera Awards are intended to allow independents to celebrate one another's achievements. The event was founded by a committee of independent music labels and the committee is chaired by Kill Rock Stars President Portia Sabin. About the Awards Sabin says, "The Libera Awards give us the chance to celebrate independent music labels and the artists they work with. Indies are the risk-takers of the music business, and they exist solely to find and support artists whose music they believe in wholeheartedly. Winning a LIBBY is in a real sense being acknowledged by your community -- people who understand the job you do every day."

eMusic will be returning as a partner of the Libera Awards as the co-presenter of the Up & Comer Artist Award celebrating the next independent music superstar. Adam Klein, CEO of eMusic, said, "We take pride in our longstanding commitment to independent artists and labels, and to helping music collectors serendipitously uncover their next favorite album. We are thrilled to once again sponsor the Libera 'Up and Comer Award' as we continue to support both emerging artists and A2IM's mission."

On board as the co-presenting sponsor for the Album of the Year Award is Spotify. "We are truly pleased to acknowledge the incredible music being released by independent artists," said Steve Savoca, Head of Content, Spotify. "With the Libera Awards, A2IM has provided a much-needed forum for honoring the great work being done by the independent music community. We are proud to be sponsoring the Independent Album of the Year award and wish all of the nominees the best of luck." 

David Dufresne, CEO of Bandzoogle, the official online partner for this year's Awards, added, "Our team is very excited to be sponsoring the Libera Awards this year and to provide the online submissions platform enabling voters to check out and select the best independent music projects of the past year. For the past ten years Bandzoogle has worked with tens of thousands of independent artists and labels to help them establish and grow their web presence. This community now plays a bigger role than ever in the music industry. It is amazing to see the talent, creativity and hard work get recognized and celebrated through A2IM. We are proud to be part of it."

All nominee submissions must be for music, projects or artists that occurred or had new music available for commercial release in the United States via an independently owned/controlled label or artist during the period March 1, 2012 through February 28, 2013. 

Submissions will be pared down to final nominations by panels of independent music experts from media, retail, distribution, marketers, and other strategic music partners. Winners will be selected by voting members of A2IM. Winners will be presented at the A2IM Libera Awards ceremony at Highline Ballroom in NYC on Thursday, June 20th.

See a recap of the Inaugural Libbys Show 2012 HERE.

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.