WIN is a global forum for the professional independent music industry. It was launched in 2006 in response to business, creative and market access issues faced by the independent sector everywhere. For independent music companies and their national trade associations worldwide, WIN is a collective voice. It also acts as an advocate, instigator and facilitator for its continually growing membership.
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Worldwide Independent Network meeting in New York- June 18th 2010
Demonstrating the worldwide growth of WIN, delegates are expected at this meeting from Peru, Mexico and the Caribbean as well as from European member countries and the US. Their agenda includes the ongoing issue of collecting society revenues - and how these are distributed to independents; worldwide development of Independents Day; and a proposed WIN global market survey of indie music companies.
IMPALA Awards - Independent artists clock up over 6m sales in new IMPALA Awards list
IMPALA announces its latest batch of 60 European sales awards, including Platinum for the latest Prodigy Album 'Invaders Must Die' and Diamond for Placebo's 'Battle for the Sun'. The Arctic Monkey's new album 'Humbug' has gone Gold in a month and the interest has boosted their second album 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' to Diamond. The longevity and long-lasting appeal of albums by the Buena Vista Social Club and Ibrahim Ferrer has been shown by their sales rising to double platinum and diamond.
The new winners include one Double Platinum (1m), two Platinum (500k), two Diamond (250k), twenty four Gold (100k) and thirty eight Silver (30k) from all across Europe.
The increase in IMPALA sales awards demonstrates impressive performance in the independent sector, especially considering the general economic downturn.
In total some 600 awards have been registered so far, representing approximately 60 million CDs sold and one billion euros in revenue.
Merlin Board Election Results
Further to recent elections, Merlin have announced the new board members. They are as follows:
North America:
Bob Frank (Merlin Chairman) (USA)
Josh Wittman (Red Eye/Yep Roc Records), (USA)
Steve Savoca (Domino Records USA), (USA)
Thomas Silverman (Tommy Boy Records) (USA)
Geoff Kulawick (IDLA) (CANADA)
Europe:
Hein Van Der Ree, (Epitaph Records Europe,) (Netherlands),
Horst Weidenmueller (K7,) (Germany),
Martin Mills (Beggars Group,) (UK),
Michel Lambot, (PIAS Group,) (Belgium),
Thomas Lorain (Naïve,) (France)
Rest Of The World:
Colin Daniels (Inertia,) (Australia),
Marcus Seal (Shock Entertainment Group,) (Australia),
Hilton Roth (African Dope,) (South Africa).
Plus the current WIN Chairman, Alison Wenham.
Worldwide Independent Network Brainstorms the Future at New York Meeting
Peru Brings its Stong Indie Sector into WIN
Founded in 2004 and based in Lima, APROFIP has now officially joined WIN, and brought its 63 member companies into the increasingly active and significant worldwide organisation. Those members together have 42% of the national recorded music market. Peru joins South America’s two largest countries (Brazil by size and Argentina by population) which are already WIN members, and brings the total number of nations represented in the WIN membership to 26.
WIN Communications
This new WIN website is another important communications tool for WIN members. A constant flow of e-mail exchanges already ensures that every member can reach others individually, in groups or the entire current membership at any time to ask business-related questions and exchange information and ideas. Now the website offers an information centre which will be regularly updated.
The WIN website will initially be limited in size, simple in structure and open to all - members or non members.
As resources allow in the future it will be developed to suit members more specific needs for features such a password-protected members-only areas and a discussion forum.
Merlin
Merlin is a non-profit collective rights body, owned by its members and charged with representing independent music companies in enhancing the commercial exploitation of their copyrights in new media usages on a global basis.
Merlin is the first rights body focusing purely on the commercial interests of the global independent music sector, which collectively represents 30% of all music sales. Membership is open to all independent record companies and Master rights holders.
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