WIN Worldwide Independent Network

La concentración descontrolada en la Industria de la Música atenta contra la libre competencia. La compra de Downtown Music por parte de UMG a través de otra de sus adquisiciones anteriores Virgin Music provoca una enorme consolidación en la distribución, concesión de licencias y gestión de derechos musicales, peligra así la libre competencia y la sostenibilidad de la Industria Independiente por una tendencia oligopólica que se viene agravando en los últimos tiempos socavando el equilibrio del juego entre los diferentes actores. 🗨️ “La concentración no sólo tiene un impacto negativo en la forma en que las plataformas distribuyen regalías a los artistas y titulares de derechos (en función de la participación de mercado y no por uso real), sino también debido al uso no regulado de los datos y y toda la inteligencia que se practica a partir del análisis de datos y comportamientos de todos los actores involucrados (artistas, audiencias y usuarios). La industria se está concentrando sin regulación ni medida de protección alguna acorde a los tiempos tecnológicos actuales, tanto en los temas relativos a la protección de datos como a todo lo que involucra a los contenidos de propiedad intelectual y su uso en los modelos de entrenamiento de algoritmos y de IA.”. Maria Cecilia Crespo ASIAR 🗨️ “El intento de UMG de presentar esto como una inversión en el ecosistema independiente no engaña a nadie. Se trata de una apropiación de la riqueza generada desde la Industria Independiente, otro paso en el implacable camino de UMG hacia el dominio y la sofocación de la competencia. Noemí Planas WIN Network 📄 El comunicado completo con las reacciones de las Asociaciones de la Industria Musical en todo el mundo incluyendo U.S.A, Europa, Australia, Argentina, Brasil y otras en: WIN Worldwide Independent Network IMPALA Independent Music Companies Association A2IM (American Association of Independent Music) Association of Independent Music (AIM) AIR (Australian Independent Record Labels Association) ABMI - Associação Brasileira da Música Independente, plus Darius Van Arman y @Martin Mills.

“Universal Music Group’s acquisition of Downtown Music’s assets continues a troubling trend of consolidating independent music infrastructure, following acquisitions of InGrooves, MTheory, and PIAS. This increasing level of market concentration chips away at the competitive landscape, making it increasingly difficult for truly independent artists and companies to operate freely and equitably. These acquisitions risk silencing the independent voices that drive innovation and creativity in the music industry.” – Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE, A2IM President & CEO

"Building a strong independent economic ecosystem is essential to any dynamic industrial sector. The creation of domestically owned IP has been identified as a crucial future forward industrial strategy for national economies. Unfortunately, too many governments around the world have turned a blind eye to the unprecedented market consolidation that is taking place in the music sector," says Andrew Cash, President and CEO of CIMA. "UMG-Virgin Music’s acquisition of Downtown is the latest striking blow to the global independent music sector. In markets like Canada, it will create few options for investors, artists, and consumers. This along with TikTok's refusal to negotiate with Merlin and DiMA's campaign to circumvent regulation in Canada on behalf of global tech platforms should be a huge wake up call for governments around the world to take action."

🌎🌍🌏 Another busy year developing the global independent music network!   2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ in Milestones:   🇰🇷🇹🇼 Strengthened ties with Asia through our first visits to South Korea (with LIAK and Independent Music Coalition Japan (IMCJ)) and Taiwan with an association-building workshop. 🇸🇦🇲🇦 Made inaugural visits to Saudi Arabia (Riyadh Music Week) and Morocco (Visa For Music ), raising awareness of WIN and making new connections.   🇲🇽 Presented the project for a new Mexican trade association at FIM GDL.   🇨🇴 Held further discussions and workshops at BIME Bogotá to promote a Colombian trade association.   Together, we're building a stronger, more unified independent music community, one step at a time!

🚨 The global independent music community raises the alarm about the negative consequences of UMG-Virgin Music’s acquisition of Downtown on the music ecosystem, as UMG expands. The deal creates huge consolidation in music distribution, licensing, and rights management, resulting in fewer options for smaller companies to negotiate fair terms and compete on equal footing, leading to higher costs and less choice. Read our statement, featuring reactions from WIN members A2IM (American Association of Independent Music), IMPALA Independent Music Companies Association, Association of Independent Music (AIM), AIR (Australian Independent Record Labels Association), ABMI - Associação Brasileira da Música Independente, A.S.I.Ar Asociación de Sellos Independientes de Argentina, plus Darius Van Arman and Martin Mills. ℹ️ https://lnkd.in/dctSdHBt

It was another great year for WINHUB!     🙌 +450 music industry professionals connected   🗺️ +21 countries represented from 5 continents   ☕️ 3 in-person events at FIM GDL, A2IM Indie Week and SoAlive Music Conference 💻 2 online events: North Atlantic, Japan x New Zealand   🤝 80% of attendees reported strong business potential from new connections      From premier conferences to targeted online sessions, WINHUB successfully connected markets around the world, creating new opportunities for growth and collaboration.     WINHUB brought together executives from labels, distributors, trade associations and other key players in the recording industry and beyond. With carefully curated guest lists and relaxed, engaging venues, our social events provided the perfect environment to foster meaningful connections and bridge gaps between territories.     We want to thank our sponsors and partners this year: AudioSalad, Bandcamp, Reeperbahn Festival, A2IM (American Association of Independent Music), Association of Independent Music Publishers and Producers Bulgaria, Canadian Independent Music Association, IMICHILE, Chilemúsica and FIM GDL.    Together, we're building a stronger, more connected independent music community. Thank you to everyone who participated. We're gearing up for an exciting 2025!     📩 Interested in sponsoring our gatherings of top music professionals? Send us a message! Learn more about WINHUB: https://lnkd.in/egS_txzG

🚨 IMPALA sounds the alarm on growing regulatory concerns in the music industry as UMG's acquisition strategy raises competition red flags. In its latest move, Virgin Music Group announced plans to acquire Downtown, following closely behind its recent purchase of [PIAS]. For independents, these acquisitions represent a significant barrier to market access and could further limit diversity in the music ecosystem. IMPALA Independent Music Companies Association, the organization representing independent music companies across Europe, highlights the need for greater scrutiny to ensure fair competition and a thriving, diverse industry for all players. #MusicIndustry #FairCompetition #IndependentMusic #MarketDiversity

💡WIN Sustainability Spotlight💡     🌳 We are proud to present our new resource dedicated to environmental awareness: the first ever compilation of sustainability projects from the global independent community. It contains proactive steps our members are taking to reduce their environmental footprint and develop projects that make a positive impact.     📊 A great example is IMPALA Independent Music Companies Association’s Carbon Calculator, which has already been used by 150 labels from 26 countries since 2022, as highlighted in their latest report published this week. The tool is also becoming international with A2IM (American Association of Independent Music) joining the effort through a pilot project supported by Merlin.    🌎🌍🌏 We hope this new resource will inspire others around the world to join the movement!    WIN Sustainability Spotlight: https://lnkd.in/eNYWBKbz IMPALA's last Carbon Calculator Report: https://lnkd.in/eXYh2Mv8

✍️ WIN supports the open letter promoted by the European Music Managers Alliance (EMMA) and co-signed by our member IMPALA Independent Music Companies Association and other organizations from the European music sector. In a united call for a new European vision for touring, they urge the European Parliament to alleviate the financial burdens faced by touring musicians. 🚆Cross-border mobility is a vital component of competitiveness within the music industry, which not only affects the live music sector, but also has a ripple effect throughout the industry's value chain. The global independent sector is working to promote a framework that encourages cultural cooperation and cross-border exchange. Read the letter: https://lnkd.in/grXbJnMq Learn more about WIN's work on mobility: https://lnkd.in/gMf2FWZX

🇭🇷 CONNECT. CREATE. CONQUER. 💪     We're looking forward to the second leg of RUNDA Digital Day, which will take place in Zagreb, December 10!      After a great edition in Belgrade, RUNDA - Regional Association of Independent Discographers Balkans is keeping the momentum going with another packed day of insights and networking opportunities.     Meet our very own Nerea Serrano, WIN's Community & Projects Manager, and other representatives from leading European associations including Dario Draštata (RUNDA - Regional Association of Independent Discographers Balkans), Rory B. (IMPALA Independent Music Companies Association), Kees van Weijen (STOMP) and Ruth Koleva (Association of Independent Music Publishers and Producers Bulgaria).     And don't miss out on some great interventions, including a panel on breaking artists beyond borders, moderated by Nerea.     See the full program here: https://lnkd.in/dip74cAX