The following MBW op/ed comes from Ruth Barlow, Chair of the UK’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) and Director of Live Licensing at the Beggars Group. Barlow’s career in music spans 25+ years, with experience across radio, live music strategy and licensing, and she is a long-term champion for the rights of independent labels, artists, and their partners. Barlow also serves on the board of UK Music and is a board observer for Earth Agency and BPI Council.

Following formal requests by national competition authorities to the European regulator to open an investigation into UMG/Downtown, an influential European parliamentarian, Aurore Lalucq (chair of the economic affairs committee) has also raised concerns in a written question.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #8 on PANDORA is now out.

Universal Music Group’s (UMG) acquisition of Downtown Music faces EU scrutiny following a referral request from an EU member state, as first reported last week. This deal was part of a wave of acquisitions by UMG including independent labels PIAS and 8Ball Music, all announced within a few months of each other. Further strategic acquisitions are also expected.

IMPALA is taking its digital strategy to the next level with Digital Forward, a new initiative designed to equip independent music companies with the insights they need to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. Developed in cooperation with Complete Music Update (CMU) as part of IMPALA’s new programme of work co-funded by the EU for the next four years, the project will provide IMPALA members with in-depth intelligence on streaming, digital trends, market dynamics, emerging business models and more.

Below is a joint statement published today by a broad coalition of creator and rightholder organisations, including IMPALA, coming out strongly against the third draft of the GPAI Code of Practice.

IMPALA is pleased to announce the 100 Artists to Watch for 2025, in partnership with YouTube, marking the fourth consecutive year of this exciting initiative. This year’s lineup features a vibrant and diverse selection of emerging talent from across Europe’s independent music scene, providing a fresh outlook on the future of the industry while celebrating the rich cultural diversity that is at the heart of independent music.

IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, is joining forces with the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) on a new WINHUB project, part of IMPALA’s new programme of work co-funded by the EU for the next four years. This collaboration will amplify WINHUB’s reach with an exclusive community platform and new events designed to enhance global connections and export opportunities for independent music businesses.

IMPALA has awarded its Outstanding Contribution Award to Eva Karman Reinhold, chair of SOM (Swedish Independent Music Producers) and founder and co-chair of IMPALA’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) task force, in recognition of her exceptional dedication to the independent sector.

As we warned in our statement last week, UMG’s juggernaut strategy of rapid acquisitions continues, with 8Ball Music, a Dutch independent label and IMPALA member, being the latest independent to be bought.

As the IMPALA EDI task force marks its fifth anniversary, along with the launch of the EDI Charter, we sat down with Eva Karman Reinhold, co-chair of the EDI task force, for a conversation on International Women’s Day. With this year’s theme, Accelerate Action, emphasising the urgency of advancing gender equality, she reflects on the journey so far, sharing insights into IMPALA’s achievements, the challenges faced, key lessons learned, and her vision for the future of IMPALA’s EDI task force.

IMPALA, the voice of Europe’s independent records labels, is warning that music industry giant Universal Music Group (UMG) could increase its stranglehold over the music market if it is allowed to buy up key distribution companies and other services labels and artists need to reach fans.

Last week in Ljubljana, during the annual MENT Showcase and Industry Conference, a group of trade associations members introduced a new initiative—the CEE Independent Music Academy, supported by IMPALA.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #6 on Instagram and #7 on TikTok are now out. Join us on 27th February for a Q&A session with Music Ally.

The board of IMPALA celebrates the life of Horst Weidenmüller, noting his legacy for the independent music sector as IMPALA board member from 2003 (vice-president until 2011) and board member of Merlin, as well as founder of IMPALA’s sustainability task force.

In the framework of the Paris 2025 AI Summit, IMPALA and 37 other international organisations have issued the following statement:

The Paris AI Summit intends to promote reliable, sustainable and responsible AI. For the first time at this level, intellectual property is being discussed.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #7 on TikTok is now out.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #6 on Instagram is now out.

In this letter, we represent a diverse yet unified coalition of creators and right holders active across the EU’s cultural and creative industries. We are writing to express our serious concerns about the Second Draft of the General-purpose AI Code of Practice under the EU AI Act.

In this letter, we represent a diverse yet unified coalition of creators and right holders active across the EU’s cultural and creative industries. We are writing to express our serious concerns about the Second Draft of the General-purpose AI Code of Practice under the EU AI Act.

The highly anticipated beta launch of EMERGE, a new sync music and discovery tool powered by an innovative AI-powered chat interface, has officially premiered at ESNS25. This groundbreaking tool is designed to help professionals find the music they need while promoting European music in a market dominated by Anglo-American influences.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #5 on Deezer is now out. Join us on 27th January for a Q&A session with Music Ally.

The winners of the Music Moves Europe Awards 2025 are revealed, celebrating the extraordinary musical diversity within Europe. Out of 15 nominees from all over Europe, 6 winners were awarded with 7 awards during the annual ceremony at ESNS festival in Groningen, The Netherlands on January 16.

IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies,
is looking for an INTERN to help its Brussels-based team with EU projects, communication work, public affairs and daily life of the association.

The start of 2025 marks a new phase for IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, as it rolls out a programme of work co-funded by the EU for the next four years.

At the end of last week, Ministers from six EU member states (The Netherlands, France, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Belgium) addressed a joint letter to Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, calling for a legislative proposal to fix the consequences of the EU court’s “RAAP” ruling.

Following the announcement that UMG-owned Virgin Group has struck a deal to buy Downtown, European independent trade association IMPALA raises concerns about concentration and reducing independent routes to market. The move is hot on the heels of UMG acquiring control of [PIAS], another significant independent in both recording and distribution, again raising serious competition issues.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #5 on Deezer is now out.

IMPALA releases its second annual update on findings from the IMPALA Carbon Calculator, a free-to-use carbon footprinting tool for the recorded music industry, supported by Merlin and Murmur and powered by Julie’s Bicycle.

Today European Music Managers Alliance (EMMA) and several networks launch a campaign for a new European vision for touring that reduces the time-consuming and costly barriers for touring artists produced by withholding taxes. Highlighting that US artists benefit from generous exemptions when touring Europe, creating an unfair playing field.

IMPALA’s outstanding contribution award goes to Horst Weidenmüller, CEO and founder of !K7 Music and founder of IMPALA’s Sustainability task force, for his outstanding contribution to the European independent music sector.

IMPALA’s One Step Ahead is back with a report (to be released very soon) and webinar on the latest trends in music rights and consumption.

With COP29 drawing to a close, IMPALA encourages members to assess their environmental impact, recognise the associated business benefits, as outlined in the Business Case for Sustainability released earlier this year and support initiatives such as the Global Call to Action to Put Culture At the Heart of Climate Policy.

The EDI Taskforce is delighted to invite you to an online panel discussion with Leon Diop, IMPALA Changemaker Award winner and founder of Black & Irish.

Calling for a meaningful implementation of the AI Act to enable creators and rightholders to exercise and enforce their rights when it comes to ingesting and copying copyright- protected works for training by AI models.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #4 on Youtube is now out.

On TikTok’s imposed deadline day for labels to sign direct terms to boycott Merlin, IMPALA publishes an open letter calling for collaboration and specific action points to achieve a strong, cooperative partnership without strong-arm tactics.

IMPALA has released its fourth Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Report, providing insights into its ongoing efforts in this area. Published on the week of the anniversary of the organisation’s EDI Charter, the report is the result of work by IMPALA’s taskforce, led by Eva Karman Reinhold and supported by advisor Keith Harris OBE.

One of the founders of IMPALA, the loss of [PIAS] to the independent sector will be felt in many different ways, discussed IMPALA’s executive committee following the news this week that UMG had bought 100% of the shares of the leading independent company. As [PIAS] is no longer an independent entity, the company is leaving IMPALA and stepping down from the board.

TikTok’s decision to disintermediate Merlin and walk away from negotiations to renew its current license has sparked widespread concern across the global music industry. The platform is contacting independent music companies directly to try to reach individual deals. Many fear that with this move TikTok intends to pay less for music.

The .MUSIC registry announces the global launch of the community-based .MUSIC top-level domain name extension and its verified MusicID.

Murmur are proud to share the recipients of Murmur funding for 2024, which is made up of funds contributed by our partners in 2023. Over £240,000 donated by art and music organisations is being given to groundbreaking projects which drive and inspire change in the art and music industries and across the wider world.

IMPALA’s members have raised the alarm about TikTok who is trying to boycott renewing a collective deal with Merlin, the licensing agency for independent music companies. This is a concern as Merlin plays a crucial role collaborating with services, providing efficiencies, diversity and consumer choice. audiences worldwide.

The highly anticipated Music Moves Europe Awards 2025 is thrilled to unveil the fifteen remarkable artists who have been nominated for these prestigious awards. Celebrating the extraordinary talents emerging from the European music landscape, these nominees are set to take centre stage and captivate
audiences worldwide.

The raison d’être of record labels is to partner with artists, help maximise their revenues and bring new music to fans. The independent sector has put forward a range of proposals to help achieve that. This is important because independent labels in Europe account for 80% of all new music releases.

Last Thursday at Mastering the Music Business international music business conference and showcase festival in Romania, IMPALA held its AGM in collaboration with INDIERO as part of its mission to shine a light on key markets in Central and Eastern Europe and agree priorities, including new projects as a recognised European network.

With a new board structure, the global network now spans 43 territories.
Independent sector’s collective position strengthened with renewed set of values, and principles for Generative AI.
Supporters program launched for companies that want to champion and collaborate with the global independent sector.

IMPALA is releasing the results of a first qualitative survey in the independent music sector looking at the economic benefits of taking sustainability action. The business case provides an overview of the impact this work has on European independent music companies who have started sustainability work.

Bandcamp, Marauder and Random Sounds join new initiative. WIN’s Programme offers a unique connection with the global independent music community

Today, Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA) has officially launched, marking the beginning of a groundbreaking think tank, a first for the music ecosystem, composed of leading independent music labels from around the world. ORCA’s mission is to develop and promote research, data, and qualitative and quantitative evidence that underscore the significant economic, social, and cultural value of music. The initiative is coordinated through the Center for Music Ecosystems.

Independent trade associations, A2IM (USA) and IMPALA (Europe) in partnership with Julie’s Bicycle are launching a free one-year pilot project of IMPALA’s Carbon Calculator in the USA with the support of Merlin. This is the first step towards rolling out the tool in the world’s biggest music market, so the sector can measure and reduce carbon footprints in as coordinated a way as possible.

IMPALA announces the recipient of its Changemaker Award 2024: Black & Irish, an Irish not-for-profit organisation advocating for the black community in Ireland, fostering connections within Irish society and championing an anti-racist ethos.

WIN presents guidance around key principles promoting safety, transparency, respect for copyright, a human-centered approach, ethics, and cross border consistency.

Ahead of Europe Day, held every year on the 9th of May to celebrate peace and unity across the region, IMPALA welcomes its first member from Ukraine Pomitni.

The IMPALA EDI taskforce is delighted to invite members to the IMPALA online webinar on “Harmonising Diversity: Empowering Equity and Inclusion in the Music Industry” on Tuesday 28th May from 3-4:30pm CET/ 2-3:30pm GMT.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #3 on Apple Music is now out.

Ahead of Earth Day 2024 and two years after launching its Carbon Calculator, powered by Julie’s Bicycle and supported by Merlin, IMPALA highlights practical examples in the music industry to tackle climate change, releasing its updated sustainability guidance for members and organising a free webinar on April 22nd.

The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the organization that connects and develops the global independent music community, proudly announces a renewed set of values as part of its ongoing work to promote the collective position of the sector in today’s evolving music landscape.

With only two months to go before the European elections, artists and labels from across Europe are joining forces again and calling on the European Commission to come forward with a clear proposal to address the consequences of the EU “RAAP” case regarding terrestrial broadcast and public performance rights.

Over the past few weeks IMPALA has been consulting members on the question of value with “moment economy” services like TikTok, as well as the impact of recent reforms proposed by Deezer, Spotify and Apple, with the key goal of fixing existing value gaps and ensuring that no new ones are created.