Friends

 
IMPALA’s Friend of IMPALA scheme is aimed at companies interested in working with the independent sector in Europe.
 
Any company which works with the sector in Europe (or would like to) can apply for “Friends” programme. Friends can join the scheme for a year or more (subject to approval by the IMPALA Board). This can be renewed. There is an annual fee, in order to guarantee the exclusivity and value of the arrangement.
 
To join, please contact the IMPALA office info@impalamusic.org with details of the company, relevant market sector, and a brief explanation of why the company would like to become a Friend of IMPALA.

You may also be interested in the other affiliate schemes in the independent sector. Some of IMPALA’s association members have national programmes and WIN has a scheme that allows you to support the global community. IMPALA’s programme aligns with these schemes and is complementary. Want to explore these other schemes? We’ll help you connect.
 
Meet IMPALA’s friends below.
 

Spotify

Spotify is the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with 82m tracks, 400+m users, 180m subscribers, across 184 markets. Our mission is to give a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it.

YouTube

YouTube is an online video sharing and social media platform owned by Google. It is the second most visited website, right after Google itself. YouTube has more than one billion monthly users, who collectively watch more than one billion hours of videos each day. YouTube is also the partner of IMPALA’s “100 Independent Artists” project.

AudioSalad

AudioSalad is an unparalleled metadata and media asset management, delivery, and distribution platform for the music and entertainment industries. It has become the indispensable choice to maximize reach and revenue for a growing global roster of artists, record labels, and distributors. 

BeatBread

Founded in 2020, beatBread brings together a team with deep experience in music, finance, artificial intelligence and machine learning to create new opportunities for artists and labels. With the implementation of industry executives across Europe, beatBread provides independent artists and labels with financial advances that are repaid through a limited share of revenues from streaming, over a period of the artist or label’s choosing. 

SonoSuite

SonoSuite is a global, white-label SaaS solution that caters catalog distribution and royalty collection technology to a wide array of music businesses, connecting them with the world’s Top Digital Music Services. Based in Barcelona (Spain) SonoSuite is a digital company with more than 50 people located in Europe, the United States, and Latin America.

FAMA

FAMA is the trade association for the film and music sector in Austria, representing over 7,000 member companies with a total of 20,000 employees. FAMA defend their members’ interests in the sound and music industry with recording studios, record labels, music publishers and associated services, as well as film production companies for all formats and technical service providers. FAMA’s main activities are consulting and information services for their members on top of representation at national and EU levels on all issues affecting the sector, including sustainability and diversity. FAMA recently hosted the music business conference Bzzzz.

LISSEN

Lissen is a new interactive music platform that offers an alternative to the classic streaming model with a pure user-centric approach, built on both cloud and blockchain technology for transparency and interoperability. We are a medium enabling artists to get more freedom, data and money so fans can get more music, experiences and value.

Soga World

Soga World are a leading creative and management agency. As thought leaders in Web3, they have deep expertise in digital innovation as it relates to the music and entertainment industries. Their aim is to bridge the music and entertainment industries with blockchain technology by creating truly impactful cultural moments.

Soundcharts

Soundcharts is a leading European and global music analytics platform. We simplify data from various sources into an integrated dashboard, providing actionable insights to industry professionals. Our real-time data system covers every aspect of a career, including social media, streaming, and radio airplay, enabling users to develop and discover talents.

Soundr

Soundr is a Metaverse Music Lab developing virtual artists powered by AI. Avatar superstars who will exist exclusively in virtual worlds enabling music to be interactive, inclusive, fun and future-proof. Bringing music to the game.  Industry leaders in metaverse and NFT strategy and consultancy.

Chartmetric

Chartmetric is the all-in-one platform that provides comprehensive streaming and social data for music industry professionals to create successful careers in music. Chartmetric offers access to market-level data from more than 20 music streaming and social media sources — plus, the power of data science … all in one place. IMPALA members get 30% off Chartmetric Premium Plan subscriptions, and labels with more than two users get extra discounts. Contact chaz@chartmetric.com for details.

Serenade

Serenade is the home of the Digital Pressing. Chart eligible formats that unlick exclusive bonus content that can now be bought and accesed via physical items such as wristbands, stickers and other merch’. Learn more about Serenade here.

Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS)

Eurosonic is a key European conference and showcase festival organised by the Noorderslag Foundation in cooperation with Buma. It focuses on creating a platform for the European and Dutch music industry and to encourage the exchange of ideas in the sector through live music.  It is also broadcasted each year on national radio stations in more than 20 countries.

Reeperbahn Festival

Reeperbahn Festival combines a diverse line-up of new, international talents with a programme comprising of a wide range of themes in a progressive music marketplace. Since its debut in 2006, Reeperbahn Festival has become one of the most important meeting places for the world of music and combines music programme with music industry interests and social initiatives.  

Primavera Sound

Primavera Sound is an annual music festival held in Barcelona that takes place in early June. Primavera Sound is a meeting point for artists and spectators from all generations. Alongside its live events, Primavera has been holding PrimaveraPro, an international meeting with programmes and roundtable discussions aimed at music industry professionals.

BUSH

BUSH – Budapest Showcase Hub represents the best that the Eastern-European music industry has to offer.  During the night the stage is for the musicians, while at the daytime the spotlight is on professionals helping the artists take the stage. It’s a place for pioneers and professionals of the Eastern European music industry to discuss the hottest current topics and trends.

MENT

Based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, MENT is a three-day music discovery festival of fresh artists from all of Europe and beyond. The international conference focuses on the music industry and creativity. The festival focuses on local, regional and Eastern European scene, yet hosts bands from all over Europe. The same goes for music professionals.

IMX

IMX International Music Expo in Shanghai stands as the singular event for music industry professionals in the world’s 5th largest music market, China. It presents an unparalleled opportunity for industry professionals worldwide to foster new partnerships and business opportunities. For global artists, IMX Showcases serve as a gateway to monetize their talents in the burgeoning Chinese music market.

MASTERING THE MUSIC BUSINESS

Mastering the Music Business is the first and the biggest professional international event for the music industry organised in Romania. The conference is aimed at all artists, managers, bookers, promoters, labels and any other music business professionals. During the first five editions, more than 3000 speakers from Romania, Europe and the USA have participated.

BLACK MUSIC SUMMIT

The Black Music Summit is an annual event that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of music of black origin and its contributions to the music industry. Over 4 days in the heart of Ibiza, the summit will bring together industry professionals, the next generation, and music lovers to engage with hot-topic keynote speakers and interactive workshops – all made complete with live performances and club nights you won’t want to miss. The Summit is designed to bridge the gap and tackle the issues with racism and diversity in the industry whilst celebrating and platforming black talent.

Music Leaders Network

Music Leaders Network is a programme that delivers life-changing leadership for mid-career women and non-binary people in the music industry. It supports people to achieve their full potential. Based in the UK, the programme is run by Remi Harris MBE and Tamara Gal-On, who were featured on Impala’s very own ’20 minutes with’ Podcast.

Music Leaders Network has been popular, by the end of 2023 60 people will have participated. 100% of those who have taken part so far the programme as excellent or good, 82% finding it highly relevant to their music industry role and 92% saying they were more confident and more effective as leaders. The programme is set to launch in the Nordic countries in January 2024.

KEITH HARRIS MUSIC

One of the most high-profile and respected executives in the music business, Keith Harris OBE started out at the then independent label Transatlantic Records over 40 years ago. A brilliant artist manager and record label executive, Keith has also held key strategic roles in the industry including at PPL, UK Music and as Chairman of the MMF, as well as his work as music consultant, currently at IMPALA and with other organisations. Keith Harris is the adviser to IMPALA’s equity, diversity and inclusion task force.

ARIT EMINUE MBE 

Arit Eminue MBE is a multi-award winning businesswoman and Learning & Development consultant who helps businesses to recruit and retain talent and empowers people to realise their full potential in careers they enjoy. Arit works with many well-known entertainment media brands, and is IMPALA’s EDI trainer. For more see the links below and here for detailed bio. 

VBAIN CONSULTING 

Vick Bain is an equity, diversity and inclusion expert in the music and wider cultural sectors. Vick has 25 years experience in music and the creative industries. She is author of Counting the Music Industry and Founder of The F-List for Music CIC and IMPALA’s equity, diversity and inclusion trainer. Vick is the former CEO of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and a Henley Business School MBA graduate. 

JULIE’S BICYCLE

Julie’s Bicycle is a pioneering not-for-profit, mobilising the arts and culture to take action on the climate and ecological crisis. Founded by the music industry in 2007 and now working across the arts and culture, JB has partnered with over 2000 organisations in the UK and internationally. Combining cultural and environmental expertise, Julie’s Bicycle focuses on high-impact programmes and policy change to meet the climate crisis head-on. Julie’s Bicycle is the adviser to IMPALA’s sustainability task force.

RUSSELS SOLICITORS

Established in 1974, Russells is known historically as a niche firm specialising in all areas of media, entertainment and leisure including music, sport, e-commerce, digital media and technology, theatre, television and film.  Russells is consistently rated amongst the top firms in both professional guides and publications

JANE GOLDING

Jane Golding OBE is a senior EU law specialist, and a qualified barrister and solicitor. She has worked in the area of European law for over 20 years, at the European Commission, and in private practice in Italy, Germany, as well as in Brussels, where she spent over 15 years before moving to Berlin in 2009. 

CJA ENTERTAINMENT LEGAL

CJA Entertainment Legal is an entertainment legal and advisory business run by Chris Ancliff. Chris has spent over 25 years working in the music and entertainment industries.  He trained as a corporate and commercial lawyer at city law firm Linklaters and is skilled in legal and business affairs, intellectual property and corporate/M&A transactions.

Award Framers International

Award Framers International is Europe’s leading manufacturer of official music awards, and works for clients including IMPALA, Nielsen and BPI among many others. It provides the music industry with a range of awards designed to celebrate those significant events that mark success for both artists and labels.

GINGER UP

GingerUp is a Brussels-based company delivering IT solutions and web design. GingerUp built IMPALA’s original website and have taken care of various transitions over the years. They were also included in providing multiple design solutions for IMPALA’s website.

LAY-IN & LAY-OUT

Lay-in & Lay-out is a graphic design team based in Brussels which has been working with IMPALA since 2000, when it first designed our logo. Since then we have continued to collaborate with Lay-in & Lay-out for design solutions for our award schemes, brochures and promotional material.

IMPALA – Independent Music Companies Association

Rue des Deux Eglises 37-39, 1000, Brussels, BELGIUM

+32 2 503 31 38

info@impalamusic.org