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# A2IM Turns 3, Joins Independent’s Day Celebration
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/a2im-turns-3-jo/
- Published: 2008-05-01T12:01:11.000Z
- Updated: 2008-05-01T12:01:11.000Z
- Description: The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) will celebrate its third anniversary this July 4th in conjunction with Independent’s Day 2008, a global event spotlighting the importance of independent music.. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2008/05/a2im-turns-3-jo.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Indie Music, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:06

[![A2im](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/2008/05/01/a2im.jpg "A2im")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/01/a2im.jpg&ref=hypebot.com)

  
The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) will celebrate its third  
anniversary this July 4th in conjunction with Independent’s Day 2008, a  
global event spotlighting the importance of independent music.

July 4 – 6, A2IM will join with  
the World Independent Network (W.I.N.) for Independent’s Day 2008\. With 14 trade organizations participating worldwide, the day will include the release of a limited edition digital compilation and an eBay  
auction of rare paraphernalia.

With 300 members, A2IM is a leading US voice for independent music. In 2007, independent music labels represented over 30% of  
music sales and 39% of non-terrestrial radio airplay (web radio, satellite  
radio, cable services, etc.). "The music industry finds itself at a  
crossroads," says A2IM President Rich Bengloff. "With physical sales  
diminishing while digital music sales grow both online and in the mobile  
marketplace, A2IM has become a strong voice for independent labels in meetings  
with the major labels, artists and their representatives, and third parties who  
distribute and market our music.

But after three years A2IM as well as other indie advocacy organizations are facing their biggest challenge yet. The major labels are negotiating deals with next generation music services like MySpace Music, YouTube and Nokia’s "Comes With Music" and the indies are treated as an afterthought.

**MORE: [Will Indies Be Left Out Of Music 2.0?](http://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/2008/05/will-indies-be.html?ref=hypebot.com) as well as more about A2IM after the jump.**

**ABOUT A2IM:**

Contrary to Nielsen SoundScan reporting  
which is based upon distributors, A2IM defines independent labels as, and its  
membership is comprised of, independent music companies who control their own  
masters. They may be distributed by the four music groups known as the majors,  
via the five independent distributors owned by major labels, by independently  
owned distribution companies, or self distributed, but they are independently  
controlled. Now more than ever, as the old, traditional barriers to entry within  
the music industry continue to fall, independent labels are able to compete at  
the highest levels of the music industry and seek fair and equitable treatment  
in the marketplace.

A2IM’s board of directors is comprised of a diverse group of the music labels, in terms  
of label sizes, genres of music and geographic locations, currently: Glen Barros  
of Concord Music Group, Lesley Bleakley of Beggars Group, Bruce Iglauer of  
Alligator Records, Doug Keogh of Roadrunner Records, Glenn Morrow of Bar/None  
Records, Molly Neuman of Lookout! Records, Portia Sabin of Kill Rock Stars,  
Thomas Silverman of Tommy Boy Records, and Amaechi Uzoigwe of Definitive  
Jux.