American Association of Independent Music

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.

A2IM logo

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

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

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

The Libera Awards was first handed in 2012.[8]

Main categories (as of 2020)
  • Album of the Year
  • Best Alternative Rock Album
  • Best Americana Album
  • Best Blues Album
  • Best Breakthrough Artist
  • Best Classical Album
  • Best Country Album
  • Best Dance/Electronic Album
  • Best Folk/Bluegrass Album
  • Best Hip-Hop/Rap Album
  • Best Indie Rock Album
  • Best Jazz Album
  • Best Latin Album
  • Best Live Act
  • Best Mainstream Rock Album
  • Best Metal Album
  • Best Outlier Album
  • Best Punk/Emo Album
  • Best R&B Album
  • Best Re-Issue
  • Best Spiritual Album
  • Best Sync Usage
  • Best World Album
  • Creative Packaging
  • Independent Champion
  • Independent Icon
  • Independent Impact Award
  • Label of the Year (Small)
  • Label of the Year (Medium)
  • Label of the Year (Big)
  • Marketing Genius
  • Video of the Year

Structure

As of January 2019 A2IM's President and CEO is Richard James Burgess.[9]

The organization's board of directors is composed of the following:

The organization's president's advisory committee is composed of:

Associations

It is a member of the World Independent Network, which represents most of the world's independent music label trade organizations.[10]

References
  1. 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
  2. https://www.a2im.org/join-a2im/
  3. Chris Morris (17 April 2004). "AFIM to Shut; New Era begins?. Billboard, pp. 6 and 77
  4. Geoffrey Hull, Thomas Hutchison, Richard Strasser (2011). The Music and Recording Business, pp. 188; 317. Routledge. ISBN 113691112X
  5. A2IM Indie Week
  6. The Libera Awards
  7. A2IM SynchUp
  8. 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.
  9. Garner, George (17 January 2019). "A2IM reveal host of new promotions". Music Week. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  10. "WIN Members". Worldwide Independent Networks. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.

Further reading
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