This month, a new right to ‘Equitable Remuneration’ for performers on streaming was introduced in the Ley de Rendición de Cuentas y Balance de Ejecución Presupuestal (Accountability and Budget Execution Law) passed by the Uruguayan Parliament. Independent record labels and self-releasing artists are deeply concerned about the consequences of such a model for the economy of the local indie sector.

COP28 UN Climate Conference, which will take place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, is set to focus on advocating for a just, orderly, and equitable energy transition, examining climate finance, putting nature, lives, and livelihoods at the heart of climate action.

Key artists and label groups from major European music markets have come together today to ask the EU to come up urgently with a legislative solution to address the consequences of a court ruling which risks costing European artists and labels millions of euros each year.

beatBread is a pioneering music and finance company that provides funding to labels and musicians while ensuring clients have transparency and customisation to choose their partners and retain complete ownership. Joining IMPALA’s Friend scheme under a two year deal underlines their long term dedication to championing the independent sector.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #2 on Amazon Music is now out.

IMPALA, the independent music companies association, representing over 6000 independent music companies and national associations across Europe, is currently canvassing member views on the proposed changes. The proposal will also be discussed at our upcoming board meeting which will take place next week on 30th November.

Our new IMPALA One Step Ahead report putting the spotlight on the latest AI trends will be released very soon. This report is an update from our report entitled ‘AI And The Music Industry‘, released earlier this year. As usual, this report will be accompanied by a webinar, which will take place at 3pm CET on Wednesday 29th November. During the webinar, CMU will present the report’s main findings step by step and summarise key developments, innovations and debates that have occurred around music AI since the publication of our previous report on the topic.

The highly anticipated Music Moves Europe Awards 2024 is thrilled to unveil the fifteen remarkable artists who have been nominated for these prestigious awards. Celebrating the extraordinary talents emerging from the European music landscape, these nominees are set to take center stage and captivate audiences worldwide.

Last week marked the inaugural SoAlive Music Conference (SAMC), successfully convening over 400 industry delegates, showcasing dozens of vibrant bands, and captivating thousands of live music fans over three unforgettable days.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 31st October 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.

Today IMPALA publishes its third Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Report, reflecting on the organisation’s ongoing work in this area.

Our new One Step Ahead report looking at the impacts of AI is out and will be discussed during our next quick-fire webinar with CMU taking place on 12th October at 3pm CET. Members can contact their national associations to register.

Deezer’s “artist-centric” idea adds to the streaming debate but other proposals could move the needle without thresholds that are bad for smaller acts – and musical diversity. An op-ed by IMPALA’s Helen Smith for Billboard.

SonoSuite joins the Friends of IMPALA programme to strengthen its commitment to empower independent music businesses. 
 
SonoSuite, the white-label SaaS digital technology provider for the music industry, is proud to announce its new membership in IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association) as a Friends member. 

For years, SonoSuite has been at the forefront of the music technology landscape, dedicated to providing innovative solutions tailored for independent music businesses. The constant relationship between music and technology has been a driving force in the industry’s evolution, and SonoSuite has consistently backed the cause of independent music businesses.
 

Last week, Deezer and UMG announced their proposal to reform the streaming market through a so-called “artist-centric” model which seeks to change the way streaming royalties are allocated. At the same time, IMPALA held its AGM in Vienna, where streaming reform and maximising revenue for artists were flagged as key priorities.

Efforts to grow the debate about how to reform the streaming market are welcomed by IMPALA. It is encouraging that certain aspects of the recent proposals from Deezer and UMG chime with IMPALA’s own ten steps to make the most of streaming. IMPALA’s proposals were initially published over two years ago and revisited earlier this year

Our new One Step Ahead report looking at Rights and Consumptions is out and will be discussed during our next pre-recorded quick-fire webinar with CMU, available for members on 15th September. Members can contact their national associations to register.

ANMIP, the Association of Independent Music Publishers and Producers in Bulgaria, has joined IMPALA, the association for independent music businesses across Europe. ANMIP participated in IMPALA’s AGM and board meeting last week in Vienna at the WAVES conference. IMPALA’s members welcomed ANMIP as they brainstormed future priorities for both organisations.

We are pleased to announce the upcoming webinar hosted by our recent Friend of IMPALA REPRTOIR that will take place virtually on September 14th, 2023 at 3pm CET.
This event is designed exclusively for IMPALA members and will provide you with valuable insights and information about Reprtoir :
– how to get on board with Reprtoir ?
– how to get the most out of it ?

This Thursday at the Vienna WAVES Festival and Conference, IMPALA elected a new board for a term of two years and reviewed the priorities of the association in the coming year. These include AI opportunities, streaming reform, fiscal support, growing the network in Central Eastern Europe and boosting sustainability and inclusion work.

IMPALA is a signatory of the following letter addressed by a group of 70 European cultural and creative networks and organisations, urging member states to reconsider proposed cuts to the 2024 budget of the EU’s only programme fully dedicated to culture, Creative Europe.

Our new One Step Ahead report looking at the impacts of AI is out and will be discussed during our next quick-fire webinar with CMU taking place on 5th September at 3pm CET. Members can contact their national associations to register.

Our next equity, diversity and inclusion training session for members will take place online on Tuesday 25 April from 10am to 1pm CET. This session with our trainer Vick Bain will focus on “EDI Communications- Strengthening EDI practices and embedding EDI messages in music companies’ internal and external communications”.

The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the international body bringing together the independent recorded music sector, has published its 2022/23 Annual Report declaring a landmark year for independent music.

IMPALA joins other European music organisations in calling for EU member states to launch a dialogue with the sector around the topic of mobility as a vital component of competitiveness within the sector, taking into account the consequences of the pandemic and the cost of living increase.

IMPALA is a signatory of the following statement published today in the framework of the ongoing trilogue negotiations on the EU AI Act, calling for meaningful transparency obligations on AI systems to ensure the lawful use of copyright-protected works and welcoming the European Parliament proposal as a step in the right direction.

Our new One Step Ahead report looking at the impacts of AI is out and will be discussed during our next quick-fire webinar with CMU taking place on 20th July at 3pm CET. Members can contact their national associations to register.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. The first Primer on Spotify is now out.

International independent pioneers Michel Lambot and Kenny Gates receive IMPALA’s coveted Outstanding Contribution award to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the [PIAS] group.

Reprtoir and IMPALA are proud to announce their partnership under the Independent Music Companies Association’s Friends of IMPALA programme.

IMPALA is proud to announce the launch of IMPALA’s Strategic Primers, a new project in partnership with Music Ally, a leading UK-based music consultancy renowned for delivering cutting-edge knowledge and expertise in the music industry.

Following this year’s EU Green Week Conference, IMPALA is releasing its first membership Carbon Calculator report. Read the statement to discover key insights from the report.

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.

For the second edition of its Changemaker award, IMPALA honours the UK not-for-profit organisation Women in CTRL, for their work developing and supporting music creators and music professionals from under-represented groups. Women in CTRL was founded by Nadia Khan and has been very active on its mission to advance gender equality in the music industry.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 25th 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.

Our monthly quick-fire webinar on the One Step Ahead project will take place on 3rd 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.

Following a month-long review process launched on the two-year anniversary of IMPALA’s ten-point streaming plan, the independent sector has issued a new call to action. It builds on IMPALA’s initial recommendations to make streaming fairer and provide a dynamic, compelling, and responsible future for creators and fans.

Our next equity, diversity and inclusion training session for members will take place online on Tuesday 25 April from 10am to 1pm CET. This session with our trainer Vick Bain will cover “Inclusive Employment with a focus on disability and neurodiversity; how to provide adjustments, access riders, and implement flexible working for all.”

Over the last ten months, IMPALA has organised and run activities related to its Climate Training and Standards project – IMPACTS. This EU funded project was created with the aim of building new climate literacy capacity for independent music companies across Europe to help them lower their carbon footprint and promoting best-practice examples.

IMPALA presented our views on the Creative Europe 2021 -2027 Implementation Report. In this stakeholders’ meeting, IMPALA’s Karla Rogožar called to develop a real strategy for music with increased funding available for music-specific projects now and ahead of the next programme.

IMPALA and other organisations were officially announced as having joined the Human Artistry Campaign. Below is the press release announcing the latest signatures as the coalition cements itself as the preeminent creative community voice in the fast-moving AI debate.

This weekend, IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution Award was dedicated to the late Tony Duckworth during MENT festival and conference in Ljubljana to recognise his remarkable career in music and his dedication to network development in the Central and Eastern European region for independent music companies.

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.