UMG/Downtown – Influential EU parliamentarian questions European Commission
Following formal requests by national competition authorities to the European regulator to open an investigation into UMG/Downtown, an influential European parliamentarian, Aurore Lalucq (chair of the economic affairs committee) has also raised concerns in a written question.
IMPALA’S STRATEGIC PRIMER #8 (PANDORA) NOW OUT
IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #8 on PANDORA is now out.
Universal’s Downtown Music acquisition faces EU scrutiny – IMPALA welcomes referral by national competition authority
Universal Music Group’s (UMG) acquisition of Downtown Music faces EU scrutiny following a referral request from an EU member state, as first reported last week. This deal was part of a wave of acquisitions by UMG including independent labels PIAS and 8Ball Music, all announced within a few months of each other. Further strategic acquisitions are also expected.
IMPALA unveils Digital Forward: a new initiative to empower independent music companies
IMPALA is taking its digital strategy to the next level with Digital Forward, a new initiative designed to equip independent music companies with the insights they need to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. Developed in cooperation with Complete Music Update (CMU) as part of IMPALA’s new programme of work co-funded by the EU for the next four years, the project will provide IMPALA members with in-depth intelligence on streaming, digital trends, market dynamics, emerging business models and more.
Joint statement by a coalition of authors, performers and other rightsholders active across the EU’s cultural and creative sectors regarding the third draft of the EU AI Act’s GPAI Code of Practice
Below is a joint statement published today by a broad coalition of creator and rightholder organisations, including IMPALA, coming out strongly against the third draft of the GPAI Code of Practice.
IMPALA UNVEILS ITS REVAMPED 100 ARTISTS TO WATCH PROGRAMME FOR 2025 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUTUBE, CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND INNOVATION ACROSS EUROPE’S INDEPENDENT MUSIC SCENE
IMPALA is pleased to announce the 100 Artists to Watch for 2025, in partnership with YouTube, marking the fourth consecutive year of this exciting initiative. This year’s lineup features a vibrant and diverse selection of emerging talent from across Europe’s independent music scene, providing a fresh outlook on the future of the industry while celebrating the rich cultural diversity that is at the heart of independent music.
IMPALA ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH WIN TO DEVELOP A NEW EU CO-FUNDED NETWORKING PROGRAMME WITH WINHUB EVENTS
IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, is joining forces with the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) on a new WINHUB project, part of IMPALA’s new programme of work co-funded by the EU for the next four years. This collaboration will amplify WINHUB’s reach with an exclusive community platform and new events designed to enhance global connections and export opportunities for independent music businesses.
EVA KARMAN REINHOLD RECEIVES IMPALA’S OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD FOR SOM’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND HER LEADERSHIP IN EDI AT IMPALA’S BOARD MEETING AT MANIFESTGALAN STOCKHOLM
IMPALA has awarded its Outstanding Contribution Award to Eva Karman Reinhold, chair of SOM (Swedish Independent Music Producers) and founder and co-chair of IMPALA’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) task force, in recognition of her exceptional dedication to the independent sector.
UMG’S JUGGERNAUT STRATEGY RAGES ON – 8BALL MUSIC ACQUIRED IN THE NETHERLANDS AND DISPROPORTIONATE STREAMING 2.0 PUSH FROM AMAZON
As we warned in our statement last week, UMG’s juggernaut strategy of rapid acquisitions continues, with 8Ball Music, a Dutch independent label and IMPALA member, being the latest independent to be bought.
ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, IMPALA’S EDI TASK FORCE FOUNDER AND CO-CHAIR TALKS ABOUT HER WORK FIVE YEARS ON
As the IMPALA EDI task force marks its fifth anniversary, along with the launch of the EDI Charter, we sat down with Eva Karman Reinhold, co-chair of the EDI task force, for a conversation on International Women’s Day. With this year’s theme, Accelerate Action, emphasising the urgency of advancing gender equality, she reflects on the journey so far, sharing insights into IMPALA’s achievements, the challenges faced, key lessons learned, and her vision for the future of IMPALA’s EDI task force.