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AIM launches its new associate membership programme
By Chris Cooke | Published on Thursday 3 June 2021
The UK’s Association Of Independent Music today launches its new associate membership programme, which provides free access to knowledge, insight and resources to any clients of the trade body’s distributor members, which includes self-releasing artists, managers and other entrepreneurs.
AIM says that the new programme should see its membership expand from 1000+ labels and associated businesses to 100,000+, bring many more small-scale and independent rights-holders into the community.
First announced last October, the new associate membership scheme formally goes into beta later today as AIM stages its first Future Independents conference, aimed at DIY artists, labels, managers and entrepreneurs.
The trade body says: “Associate members will have access to valuable industry knowledge via the specially-designed Associate Knowledge Base, an AI-driven search engine built on Zendesk’s customer service platform. This has been made possible with the trust and commitment of AIM’s distributor members, which are dedicated to supporting their clients”.
Formally launching the new programme, AIM CEO Paul Pacifico says: “The launch of our associate membership tier is a significant milestone for us at AIM. Opening up access to industry knowledge and networking opportunities is one of the most important steps towards creating much-needed change across the industry and supporting the next generation of artists and entrepreneurs. As we broaden our reach and expand our membership, we hope to strengthen both AIM’s member businesses and the UK independent music sector as a whole”.
Meanwhile, Simon Wills of Absolute Label Services, who chairs AIM’s Distribution Action Group, adds: “AIM’s new associate tier is a fantastic addition to the benefits AIM membership delivers to its distributor members and will help us in supporting our clients as they grow their businesses in music”.
AIM has also announced the appointment of Char Walsh, who joins the organisation from collecting society PPL. She becomes Community Support Manager, and will implement and manage the associate membership programme.
There is more information about the new programme here.