After initiating our largest-ever artist showcase award programme last Spring, IMPALA’s 100 Artists to Watch in partnership with YouTube returns in 2023 with a bright selection of emerging talent from across the European independent music sector.

IMPALA’s One Step Ahead Data Playbook, the latest report as part of our One Step Ahead project will be out this week, with a webinar for members taking place on 23 March at 3pm CET.

Two and a half years have now passed since the decision of the European Court of Justice in the “RAAP” case (Case C-265/19). This decision has created an anomaly. The principle of reciprocity as enshrined under international copyright has basically been suspended as a result. If allowed to stand, this will have a massive impact on the livelihoods of thousands of European music artists and independent music businesses and on cultural diversity.

Merlin, the independents’ digital music licensing partner, is thrilled to announce 2023 as “15 Years of Merlin” to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

This year, IMPALA dedicates International Women’s Day to Juliana Koranteng, journalist and media specialist, a prominent voice in the music sector who sadly passed away last month after a short illness.

A new US proposal for change on immigration rules would impact heavily the European cultural sector and jeopardise the EU-US cultural relations. IMPALA is one of the 192 co-signatories of the PEARLE’s letter to the European Commission.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 28th February at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 31st January at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

The prestigious Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Sans Soucis (Italy) and the Public Choice award was won by Jerry Heil (Ukraine). Schmyt (Germany), July Jones (Slovenia), Oska (Austria), Kids Return (France), and Queralt Lahoz (Spain) are the winners of the Music Moves Europe Awards 2023.

IMPALA is looking for a membership and projects co-ordinator to help its Brussels-based team on membership, administration and finance work (including budgets management, daily accountancy, website etc) as well as with relevant projects (such as Friends programme, our equity, diversity inclusion work, EU projects, etc), liaising with IMPALA members and building relations.

One Step Ahead – the data and insights initiative for the independent music community from IMPALA has been renewed for another year. The continuation of One Step Ahead builds on the success of the project’s pilot phase which saw the publication of six in-depth reports and a series of 20 webinars. During the next phase of One Step Ahead, IMPALA members will have access to even more support.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 13th November at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 23rd November at 2pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

In the future we will all live in Metaverses! OK, that might not be the near future for many of us, but there’s truth behind the hype and music is already making waves within metaverses, finding new fans and engaging in exciting new ways with existing ones, with growing number of gigs, releases, merch and more inside games and other types of ‘virtual world’. Like any new opportunity, you will want to go in with your eyes open and as much knowledge as possible as well as making sure you avoid any problems or legal hazards.

Ahead of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, IMPALA is launching a #WeMeasureTogether campaign focussing on take-up of its carbon calculator. Underlining the power of culture as a catalyst to boost collective action, IMPALA is also sending a message to the EU and national governments…

On the second anniversary of its equity, diversity and inclusion charter, IMPALA is releasing today its annual report on the work done over the past 12 months, focussing on successful projects and campaigns, as well as areas which still need to be improved.

IMPALA and AIM are organising a webinar/workshop with the Amazon Music for Artists’ team on 24 October at 4pm CET. The team at Amazon Music for Artists will walk you through how to get the most out of their app – from pitching music, livestreaming, creating contextual content for fans, and more! This event is open to IMPALA members only.

Eighteen months on from IMPALA adopting its far-reaching ten-point plan to reform streaming, the European association of independent music companies calls for renewed collaboration across the whole music sector to grow revenues, address fairness across the digital market, and develop a clear strategy on risk-taking. IMPALA also calls on governments to introduce new investment measures across Europe.

The nominees were announced at the MaMa Music Convention and Festival in Paris on Wednesday 12 October. The Music Moves Europe Awards (MME Awards) is the European Union prize celebrating the emerging artists who represent the European sound of today and tomorrow.

This Autumn, IMPALA announces the promotion of key employees and redistribution of roles as well as the appointment of Rory Brown as Communication and Project Assistant as part of the association’s restructuring following the departure of Didier Gosset and the organisation’s move to a new office earlier this year.

IMPALA and CMU are launching the second of two One Step Ahead reports exploring the impact of new technologies on the music industry. This time, putting the spotlight on Web3, NFTs and the metaverse. The new report will be out soon but you can already register to our webinar taking place on 11/10 at 3pm CET where we’ll present the reports’ findings.

Didier Gosset receives IMPALA’s prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award during the association’s annual meeting in Hamburg.

IMPALA is delighted to announce a new partnership with U.S. based tech company AudioSalad as part of joining the Friends of IMPALA programme for strategic businesses in the music sector.

This session will focus on ‘Inclusive Practices for your Music Business’. The agenda will cover: Inclusive Recruitment Practice (Arit, 1 hour, same session as in January 2021), and How to Create an EDI Policy Step by Step (Vick, 2 hours). It is open to all IMPALA members and it is free!

FONO receives IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution Award for its great work in the Norwegian and European independent music sector at its annual meeting, celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Later this month, IMPALA will be launching the first planned activities of its new Climate Training and Standards project IMPACTS. This EU funded project aims to build new climate literacy capacity for independent music companies across Europe to help them lower their carbon footprint.

Today, IMPALA launched a member survey on collecting societies.

The survey, prepared by our collecting society committee, aims to gather feedback from IMPALA’s members across Europe on how they rate their respective collecting societies.

IMPALA is hiring a Communication and Project Assistant to help its Brussels-based team with communication work (including strategy, socials, press releases, newsletters, reports, infographics, website etc), as well as with relevant projects. Find out more and apply!

With several countries still to implement the 2019 EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, IMPALA urges governments to implement article 17 and the performer provisions swiftly and faithfully according to the text of the directive.

IMPALA’s summer honours go to President of STOMP and former IMPALA president Kees van Weijen for his outstanding contribution to the European independent music sector

Last week, the Belgian Parliament adopted the local transposition of the Copyright Directive and by doing so also introduced a new right to equitable remuneration for authors and performers to be managed via the collective management system. Read IMPALA’s reaction here.

Today, the Belgian Federal Parliament adopted new rules implementing the 2019 Directive on copyright in the Digital Single Market. IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, representing over 6,000 music SMEs across Europe, commented on the new rules.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 20th June at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

IMPALA is releasing a report on the first diversity and inclusion survey of the independent sector, “Towards a more diverse and inclusion independent music sector” to close its programme for European Diversity Month.

IMPALA is launching a new award scheme, known as the Changemaker Award. Part of IMPALA’s diversity and inclusion work, the award aims to put the spotlight on projects that promote change in the independent sector and inspire others to take action. It is being launched in May as part of IMPALA’s schedule for European Diversity Month.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 9th May at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

This morning, the Court of Justice of the EU dismissed the challenge brought by Poland against Article 17 of the 2019 EU Directive on copyright.
IMPALA welcomes the EU Court’s ruling, which finds Article 17 to be compatible with the EU Charter of fundamental rights.

Our next Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training is taking place on Wednesday, April 27th (10am – 1pm CET). This training session will focus on the topics of unconscious bias and white privilege, and being a better ally, delivered by our trainers Arit Eminue and Vick Bain.

IMPALA, the European independent music companies’ association and Julie’s Bicycle have launched the first bespoke carbon calculator for the independent music sector. A crucial sustainability tool for IMPALA members, the calculator will help them measure their impact and achieve their climate goals.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 6th April at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

What’s a carbon footprint and what is the difference between ‘carbon neutral’ and ‘net zero’? What’s the point of carbon reporting, and how does it fit in with initiatives like the IMPALA Sustainability Charter and global Music Climate Pact? And where can labels start with climate action?

IMPALA is launching a new programme to boost diversity in the European independent music sector in partnership with YouTube. “100 Artists to Watch” will put the spotlight on key independent artists across Europe.

IMPALA opposes the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which has a devastating impact on the country, its inhabitants and its music and cultural sector. The European independent music community stands together with the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian music community. We also express our solidarity with those in Russia who oppose the war and the actions of Vladimir Putin.

International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to highlight initiatives and good practices which contribute to a fairer music industry. Promoting a diverse and inclusive European independent music sector is a key priority for IMPALA all year.

IMPALA has joined the letter below initiated by the European Theatre organisation entitled “International cultural collaboration with Ukraine must be supported by world leaders” which is a message of solidarity with the people of Ukraine as well as with the people of Russia who oppose the war, and a call for support and funding.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 2nd March at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

On Friday 11 February, the CMA has provisionally cleared Sony’s acquisition of AWAL and Kobalt Neighbouring rights businesses from Kobalt Music Group Limited. Read IMPALA’s reaction here.

PMI, the Italian Association of Independent Music Producers, in collaboration with IMPALA and Rockol, has created the Sustainable Music Manifesto: a programme of 10 targets that music industry actors and artists can undertake to pursue by signing the Manifesto.

The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) has appointed its board for 2022, with Maria Amato, CEO of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) as chair. Jeffrey Chiang (Fluxus Inc/LIAK, South Korea), Paul Pacifico (AIM, UK), and Sandra Rodrigues (ABMI, Brazil) newly appointed to the board

Merlin, the independent’s digital music licensing partner, today announced a dynamic new agreement with Twitch, the interactive live streaming service for content spanning gaming, entertainment, sports, music, and more. This partnership recognizes the power of independent artists and their impact in the Twitch community and more.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 1st February at 11am CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

Members of the European Parliament adopted today their position on the proposal for a regulation on a Single Market for Digital Services (Digital Services Act), amending the eCommerce directive from 2000. We now look to co-legislators to show ambition and reach compromises that will finally deliver a safer online environment for consumers and businesses without creating any new liability exemptions for intermediaries.

The annual prize for popular and contemporary music co-funded by the European Union celebrates emerging artists who represent the European sound of today and tomorrow. Check out this year’s winners here!

With the upcoming plenary vote, the European Parliament can still turn the DSA into an opportunity for the EU to play a global role in making the internet a safer space for everyone. Ahead of this week’s (Thursday 20th Jan) plenary vote, organisations from a range of diverse sectors call on the European Parliament not to miss the opportunity to create a more trustworthy Internet.

BMYD (Independent Music Producers Association) was established with the coming together of Turkey’s seven leading independent record labels in Turkey: ARTVIZYON, BUGU YAPIM, EPIDEMIK YAPIM, GRGDN MUZIK, PAY RECORDS YAPIM, WE PLAY and ZOOM MUSIC.

Merlin, the independents’ digital music licensing partner, starts the new year announcing its newly-elected Board. The organization’s Board—elected from and by its members—includes representatives from twelve different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania.

IMPALA is kicking off 2022 with a two part One Step Ahead report on the impact of new technologies on the music industry! Part 1 is all about voice control, music recognition technology, creation tools and data tools. A webinar for members on the report will take place on 13/01 at 3pm CET.

A group of leading music companies have signed a wide-ranging commitment to ‘decarbonise’ the global music business in alignment with the latest climate science. IMPALA is a proud supporter and we invite our members to sign the pact.

The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the global coordination and support body for the independent music sector, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. This year’s second edition of WINCON, the annual meeting of independent music trade associations, will feature a special anniversary event to commemorate WIN’s achievements on December 13th.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 7th December at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

As part of a coalition of cultural and creative organisations, IMPALA co-signed the following statement to express the sector’s concerns over the Council’s general approach on the Digital Services Act adopted earlier today.

The nominees of the Music Moves Europe Awards 2022 have been announced at the Linecheck Music Meeting & Festival opening event at BASE Milano in Italy on Monday November 22. The Music Moves Europe Awards are the European Union Prize for popular and contemporary music. The aim of the awards is to celebrate upcoming European artists and support them in developing their international careers.

IMPALA has released a mini survey on diversity and inclusion.

We call on all independents to set aside 10 minutes for 10 questions. If you do one thing on diversity and inclusion before the end of the year, make it this!

Our mini survey has been introduced to make it easier for businesses to respond.

This year, IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution Award goes to Keith Harris OBE to recognise his remarkable career in music and his work advocating for equity and change throughout the sector.

The Chair of the European Parliament’s culture committee, Sabine Verheyen, and other parliamentarians have challenged the European Commission about its continued failure to address a court ruling from last year on European performance income.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 4th November at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

IMPALA calls on the EU and national governments to ensure clear transitional pathways for all European countries, along with a support mechanism for sectors who are leading the way in this area.

As part of a coalition of cultural and creative organisations, IMPALA co-signed the following open letter “DSA – A missed opportunity and a step backwards” which was sent to the European Commission, European Parliament and national governments.
Read the letter here.

Exactly one year after the release of its Diversity and inclusion charter, IMPALA, the European independent music companies’ association has released its first annual report on diversity and inclusion.

IMPALA has launched a collaboration with Julie’s Bicycle to build the first bespoke carbon calculator for the independent sector. The calculator will help IMPALA’s members measure their carbon footprint and identify hotspots.

Today, the UK government published its response to the Parliament’s DCMS committee report on the Economics of streaming. Read IMPALA’s position on the government’s response.

IMPALA has elected a new board for a term of two years. The new Irish association of independent record labels AIM Ireland steps up and no less than 16 new representatives are already confirmed to join the governing body of the association.

The 4th One Step Ahead report “Understanding the digital music debates” is now available with a webinar for members taking place on 23 September at 2pm CET.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton has acknowledged existing concerns about the impact of the RAAP EU court ruling on European performers and producers and confirmed the launch of a study to evaluate the consequences. This is part of an official answer to a question posed by several European parliamentarians, led by Spanish MEP Ibán García Del Blanco, in which Commissioner Breton confirms that the European Commission will soon launch a study to investigate the consequences of the ruling.

Today, the UK DCMS Committee released its report on the economics of streaming, with the headline conclusion that reform is needed. Some of the recommendations are in line with IMPALA’s assessment of today’s streaming economy. However, IMPALA does not share the view that “equitable remuneration” is part of the solution.

IMPALA and IAO propose an approach that involves creating a new cultural area with a single touring permit, instead of treating Europe as a number of distinct blocs and countries. The music market is geographic and covers all countries and economic/political groupings in the region including EU, EFTA, EU neighbourhood countries, as well as individual countries such as the UK.  

IMPALA joins 75 organisations in “Claiming a front row seat for music” to ensure music is at the heart of policy making as the sector slowly emerges from the Covid crisis. Read the letter and our specific asks.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on Wednesday 23rd June at 11am CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

IMPALA, along with 107 other EU and US based cultural and creative organisations, have asked the EU and US to address visa issues during the EU-US Summit taking place in Brussels today. A letter was sent ahead of the summit seeking action to improve visa relations for artists and other cultural workers.

IMPALA joins 17 rightholder organisations in raising concerns with part of the european commission guidance on article 17 of the copyright directive and asking member states to stay faithful to the text of the directive.

Tomorrow is an important day for EU-US relations. It is also an important day for culture and music. The EU and the USA are global leaders and have two of the strongest music markets in the world. Underpinned by copyright, revenues from performance and broadcast are crucial.

Today is the deadline for EU member state to transpose the EU copyright directive into their national legislation. On Friday, the European Commission published its long-awaited guidance on the application of the directive’s Article 17. The EC has confirmed that the guidance is non-binding.

The third One Step Ahead report, “A DIVERSIFYING DIGITAL MARKET – CAPITALISING ON THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES” is now available, with a webinar on 10 June at 3pm CET for IMPALA members.

For the first anniversary of Blackout Tuesday, IMPALA has called on independent businesses to help build a picture of the sector’s diversity across Europe and map best practices for the future. IMPALA is asking as many businesses as possible to use the anniversary as an occasion to contribute to the debate by responding to IMPALA’s diversity and inclusion survey.

As part of IMPALA’s schedule for European Diversity Month, IMPALA is hosting a roundtable today to discuss mentoring in the music sector with MEWEM. The session takes place digitally with mentees from MEWEM France programme and Helen Smith from IMPALA, godmother of MEWEM France.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on Thursday 27th May at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

Never before has data on the independent sector been so important. With ten days to go till the deadline, IMPALA has issued a call to all independent music companies across Europe to fill out the WINTEL survey. The survey is open until June 4th and all independent companies with some activity in the recorded music business can participate.

Today, the European Parliament gave the final seal of approval to the EU’s culture programme Creative Europe for the period 2021-2027.
With a budget of €2.4bn in current prices, it will be the biggest yet and the programme will have a new focus on music, inclusion and promotion of female talent.

Sony’s acquisition of AWAL and Kobalt neighbouring rights from Kobalt music group, is being investigated in the UK, after the deal was announced in February. IMPALA has raised concerns that the move squeezes the independents further in an already very concentrated market.

To mark European Diversity Month, IMPALA is conducting the first European diversity and inclusion survey for the independent music sector. IMPALA’s diversity task force worked hand in hand with associations and advisers such as Keith Harris OBE, Vick Bain from vbain consulting and Arit Eminue from DiVA Apprenticeships.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on Monday 26th April at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

IMPALA will be releasing a special 20MinutesWith podcast on IMPALA’s sustainability programme, and guidance for members. These events coincide with Music Declares Emergency’s #turnupthevolume week highlighting the work on sustainability taking place across the music sector.

IMPALA announces an ambitious sustainability programme –
climate charter, task force, overall targets, tools and guidance. Voluntary for members, overall aim is net positive sector by 2030.

IMPALA, the European independent music companies’ association in Europe, has published a ten point plan to reform streaming. We see music services as partners, and our aim is to make streaming fairer and provide a dynamic, compelling and responsible future for creators and for fans.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on Thursday 25th March at 3pm CET. The quick-fire editions of IMPALA’s Digital Hour with CMU are all about speedy updates on recent and upcoming One Step Ahead reports. It’s also the opportunity for members to ask questions and share ideas that will inform and influence our future research.

Let’s secure a future for culture & cultural life in Europe. IMPALA is one of over 110 European networks urging Member States to make culture a priority in their recovery plans and to reactivate cultural life in Europe.

IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, is launching its new IMPALA Campus project, an EU-funded training programme for recorded music professionals and self-releasing artists. Four workshops will take place in the spring and summer of 2021, each one in partnership with a leading music conference across Europe.

Promoting a diverse and inclusive European independent music sector is a key priority for IMPALA all year long. International Women’s day is a great opportunity to put the spotlight on the women contributing to IMPALA’s work with our board and various projects in the independent sector.

The second report of IMPALA’s One Step Ahead project is out, with a webinar on 18 February at 3pm CET for IMPALA members. The report “Marketing Power Through Data And Networks” is available only to IMPALA members and talks about the key role labels play and how that has evolved.