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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.
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]The Libera Awards occur annually to honor contributions to independent music.[8]
Structure
[edit]As of January 2019[update] A2IM's president and CEO is Richard James Burgess.[9]
The organization's board of directors is composed of the following:[10]
- Tony Alexander - Made In Memphis Entertainment President/Managing Director
- Nabil Ayers - Beggars Group President
- Mariah Czap - Yep Roc Records Co-General Manager, Head of Digital
- Dee Diaz - Reach Records VP of Digital Strategy
- Wilson Fuller - Merge Records Head of Digital
- Mary Jurey - Blue Élan Records Chief Business Officer
- Heather Johnson - FiXT Director of Label Operations
- Tony Kiewel - Sub Pop Records President
- Hays Rudolph - Secretly Group General Counsel/VP of Business & Legal Affairs
- Victor Zaraya - Concord Chief Operating Officer
- Zena White - Partisan Records Chief Operating Officer
The organization's president's advisory board is composed of:[11]
- Kristin Epstein - Screenwave Media Vice President
- Steve Kline - Better Noise Music President, COO
- Jennifer Newman Sharpe - Exceleration Music General Counsel/VP of Business & Legal Affairs
- Elliott Peters - Empire Distribution SVP of Global Business
- Jason Peterson - CINQ Music, GoDigital Media Group CEO, Founder
- Reed Watson - Single Lock Records Co-Owner
Associations
[edit]It is a member of the World Independent Network, which represents most of the world's independent music label trade organizations.[12]
A2IM Star Certification
[edit]In June 2025, A2IM launched the A2IM Star Certification, a sales certification program for independent music. The initial batch recognized 36 records.[13] Developed in partnership with Luminate, the program awards one star for 50,000 album sales, two stars for 100,000, and three stars for 300,000. Sales are calculated using album-equivalent units.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ 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
- ^ "Join A2IM".
- ^ Chris Morris (17 April 2004). "AFIM to Shut; New Era begins?. Billboard, pp. 6 and 77
- ^ Geoffrey Hull, Thomas Hutchison, Richard Strasser (2011). The Music and Recording Business, pp. 188; 317. Routledge. ISBN 113691112X
- ^ A2IM Indie Week
- ^ The Libera Awards
- ^ A2IM SynchUp
- ^ 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.
- ^ Garner, George (17 January 2019). "A2IM reveal host of new promotions". Music Week. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ "A2IM WELCOMES 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS". American Association of Independent Music. 25 July 2023.
- ^ "A2IM WELCOMES 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS". American Association of Independent Music. 25 July 2023.
- ^ "WIN Members". Worldwide Independent Networks. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
- ^ Leight, Elias (12 June 2025). "Luminate, A2IM Launch Certification Program for Indie Album Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Certifications". certifications.a2im.org. American Association of Independent Music. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
Further reading
[edit]- Roberts, Paul F. (March 20, 2007). "The fate of indie music as we know it". Salon.