FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF BLACKOUT TUESDAY – BUILDING A PICTURE OF THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC SECTOR ACROSS EUROPE AND HELPING IT EVOLVE
Brussels, 2 June 2021
For the first anniversary of Blackout Tuesday, IMPALA has called on independent businesses to help build a picture of the sector’s diversity across Europe and map best practices for the future. IMPALA is asking as many businesses as possible to use the anniversary as an occasion to contribute to the debate by responding to IMPALA’s diversity and inclusion survey.
IMPALA has also set out other ways members can get involved, with the organisation announcing its next training session for 28 September and publishing its guides for members with practical tips on what members can do.
With Europe made up of so many different countries, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and one of IMPALA’s early commitments was to map and exchange best practices across the whole of Europe. With IMPALA’s membership making up 30 countries already, this mapping exercise is essential.
For a quick guide to what IMPALA has committed to and how members can get involved:
Helen Smith, IMPALA’s Executive Chair commented: “IMPALA is marking the first anniversary of Blackout Tuesday by taking stock of what has been worked on in the last year and calling on independent businesses to respond to our survey so we can build a picture of the sector and map best practices for the future. As from today, members can also sign up to our next diversity and inclusion training. We also publish our practical guidance for members, both companies and associations. Last year was a day of reflection, let this year be a day of both reflection and action. Let’s build a picture of our sector across Europe and help it evolve.”
IMPALA also took stock on what it has been working on over the past twelve months to implement its charter:
Looking to the next twelve months, IMPALA underlines the following work that it will push forward with:
About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 5000 independent music companies. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA’s work on diversity includes implementing its diversity and inclusion charter, surveying members and offering training to members as well as practical tips.
More info here.