With just a few weeks until the European Commission’s final decision on the Universal/Downtown deal, WIN wrote to Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis to warn that the proposed remedies will not mitigate the grave risk that the merger poses to fair competition in the music market, and reiterate that the deal must be blocked outright.
The winners of the Music Moves Europe Awards 2026, a prize supported by Creative Europe and celebrating emerging European artists who have reached audiences outside their own country, have been revealed.
Are diversity, identity, independence and sovereignty important in music? If yes, we as Europeans should strengthen the independent sector today, and not weaken it.
Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, kicks off 2026 by announcing its new Board, bringing together leaders from the independent music industry in 12 different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania. The Merlin Board is elected from and by its membership, which represents tens of thousands of independent record labels, distributors, and rightsholders from around the world.
This was a significant year for IMPALA, with a full year of projects delivered under our EU Network Programme and expanded engagement across both political and cultural spaces. From policy work to on-the-ground collaboration, these moments reflect the scope and impact of what we’ve built together over the past year and beyond.
As part of IMPALA’s Faces of the Independent Sector storytelling campaign celebrating our 25th anniversary, and co-funded by the European Union, we are pleased to publish the first interview in the series with Shrina Patel, Senior Director, Business & Legal Affairs at Merlin.
WIN returned to Valdivia, Chile, for Fluvial, one of Latin America’s most beloved music industry conferences, with a delegation including Cecilia Crespo (ASIAr, Argentina), Felippe Llerena (Nikita Music / ABMI, Brazil), Fran Sandoval and Oliver Knust (IMICHILE, Chile), Mark Kitcatt (Everlasting Records / IMPALA, Spain), Mark Meyer (Random Sounds / AMI-PY, Paraguay) and Nerea Serrano (WIN).
With a new deadline in the EU’s Phase 2 investigation into UMG’s proposed acquisition of Downtown, UMG offered remedies, while IMPALA urges regulators to block the deal.
WIN traveled to Saudi Arabia from December 4 to 13 to participate in a week of activities at Riyadh Music Week. Through meetings, discussions, and networking, the trip helped lay the groundwork for future collaboration between WANA record labels and the global independent music community.
MEP Nikola Minchev has submitted a written question to the European Commission on Universal Music Group’s intended acquisition of Downtown Music.
IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #10 on SoundCloud is now out.
Beggars Group Founder and Chairman, Martin Mills, in The Sunday Times business section interview on why UMG/Downtown should be blocked…
Stars have joined forces with creative and cultural organisations from across the UK and Europe to remove barriers to touring, support cultural exchange and drive growth. They unveiled a major new alliance today called the Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC).
Commissioned by ORCA and written by the Center For Music Ecosystems, the report analyses financial data from nine leading independent labels. It shows that in 2023, these labels invested $134 million that supported 569 artists across different genres and geographies, generating a combined revenue of $239 million.
Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, has partnered with Singa, the leading karaoke technology company, to make thousands of original master recordings available on the platform.
IMPALA announces the expansion of its Outstanding Contribution Award as part of a revamped awards programme co-funded by the European Union. The first announcement under the new scheme recognises women who have made a significant contribution to IMPALA’s work in the fields of equity, diversity and inclusion as well as sustainability.
The Faces of the Independent Sector campaign will offer insights into the inner workings of an industry known for its creativity and diversity. The project is co-funded by the European Union under IMPALA’s network programme.
In response to today’s press release from the European Commission, IMPALA has issued the following statement:
The WIN board and secretariat traveled to Toronto from November 3-5 to hold an in-person meeting and take part in a series of activities hosted around Make It Music and the celebration of CIMA’s 50th anniversary.
Following its Annual General Meeting in Zagreb, IMPALA is announcing the launch of a capacity-building scheme for its new member associations. IMPALA is also welcoming a new Ukrainian trade association member, the recently founded SPILNA.
The following is an op-ed by Darius Van Arman, founder of the independent record label Jagjaguwar. Van Arman also co-leads Secretly Group, Secretly Distribution, Numero Group, and Ghostly International.
IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally (supported by Merlin) is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #9 on Bandcamp is now out. Join us on 3rd December for a Q&A session with Music Ally.
Today, IMPALA issued a short statement below in response to the news that the European Commission will proceed to the next step in its investigation of UMG’s proposed acquisition of Downtown by issuing a set of formal objections:
We want to stress again the importance for all IMPALA members of making sure their rights are reserved in the context of AI training/machine learning.
Eva Karman Reinhold, chairwoman of the Swedish Independent Music Producers (SOM) and board member of IMPALA, writes in a debate post.
Merlin, the digital rights agency for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, today announced the appointment of Charlie Lexton as its CEO, effective 1 January 2026.
The Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS) are vital to EU–UK political, social, and economic relations, driving innovation, sustainability, wellbeing, and prosperity through cross-border collaboration.
Ahead of next week’s COP30 in Brazil, IMPALA calls on the independent music sector and governments alike to prioritise collective climate action, embed culture into climate policy, and ensure a level playing field in the transition to a low-carbon future.
AIM Chair Ruth Barlow has issued a statement on UMG’s proposed acquisition of Downtown, stating AIM does not support the deal due to concerns around further consolidation, competition risk and potential negative impacts on independent music infrastructure and data flows.
IMPALA elected a new board and set its priorities for the next two years at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Zagreb yesterday. The meeting was hosted as part of RUNDA Digital Day, RUNDA Adria’s annual conference supported by Merlin, which was represented by Shrina Patel, Merlin’s Senior Director of Business Affairs and Licensing.
WINCON 2025 took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, during the third edition of the SoAlive Music Conference (SAMC), celebrating the 10th anniversary of WIN’s flagship event.
Nuno Saraiva has had a 30 year career in the music industry as an artist, songwriter, music publisher, record label, consultant, music exporter and project manager. He is founder of the SCL-Lusitanian Label Group in Portugal, and also a board member of IMPALA; ex-board member of EMEE; a publisher member of IMPF; Executive Director of independent music trade body AMAEI Portugal; and President of AEMI, the Portuguese independent music publishers’ association, He is a strong believer in independent music, diversity and equality, as well as conducting business in an open and fair fashion, he employs a humanist approach to music and to business and does not like greedy people, selfish people or bullies.
WIN travelled to Seoul and Shanghai from October 19-25 for a week of activities bringing together independent music leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region. Through panels, meetings, presentations, and networking events, the trip strengthened ties between local businesses and regional associations, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving WIN’s APAC Alliance.
A crucial element in reviewing mergers in the music sector is what’s at stake for the ecosystem and cultural diversity. A new paper published by IMPALA predicts that the proposed UMG/Downtown acquisition carries significant risks for both the quantity and diversity of independent releases.
IMPALA has released its fifth Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Report, providing insights into its ongoing efforts in this area. Published on the anniversary of the organisation’s EDI Charter, the report is the result of work by IMPALA’s taskforce, which for the past year was co-chaired by Eva Karman Reinhold and Ben Wynter, and supported by advisor Keith Harris OBE.
The highly anticipated Music Moves Europe Awards 2026 are excited to unveil the 15 outstanding artists nominated for this year’s awards. Representing the most exciting and innovative talent from across Europe, these artists are ready to make their mark on the international stage, showcasing fresh sounds and bold creativity.
beatBread, a leader in funding for independent labels and musicians, has announced the launch of the Global Independence Fund (GIF), a new $100 million fund designed to provide independent labels and distributors with flexible financial support.
IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #9 on BandCamp is now out.
Independent music leaders today published 100 Voices, a campaign with a clear message – Universal Music Group’s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings should be blocked.
Spotify and Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independents, today announced the renewal of their global, multi-year licensing partnership. This agreement reinforces the vital role of independent music on Spotify and provides Merlin members continued access to a platform that reaches fans worldwide.
IMPALA today launches the pilot version of its new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Toolkit, developed with support from its EU network grant. The toolkit combines a self-assessment tool, a training platform and IMPALA’s EDI survey into one integrated framework designed specifically for the independent music sector.
We, the undersigned organisations from across Europe’s music sector, welcome the European Commission’s proposal to establish AgoraEU for 2028–2034 and its commitment to strengthen Europe’s cultural and creative sectors (CCS). With CCS contributing €354 billion in value added and employing 6.3% of the EU workforce, this investment is vital.1distributor relationships and platform specific tools.
A big thank you to VUT, the VIA Awards and everyone at Reeperbahn Festival for recognising IMPALA with the Indie-Axe. and to all who made the evening so special in Hamburg!
Join the next Digital Forward webinar from CMU and IMPALA where we will explore how independent labels can leverage streaming platform tools to market releases. While playlist placement often dominates the conversation, success on Ps requires an understanding of an often complex and confusing ecosystem of algorithmic signals,
distributor relationships and platform specific tools.
In 2025, WIN partnered with IMPALA to collaborate under its new program of work co-funded by the EU and strengthen cross-border cooperation between the global and European independent music sectors.
As part of its EU network project, IMPALA is announcing the first iteration of the European Independent Music Summit, a high-level strategic meeting taking place on Wednesday 29 October in Zagreb. This year, the Summit is organised in collaboration with RUNDA Adria, the association of independent music companies in the Adria region, as part of IMPALA’s ongoing focus on boosting the independent music sector in the region.
IMPALA is delighted to reveal the recipients of the 2025 Artist and Label Camps, a programme co-funded by the European Union to strengthen the independent music ecosystem across Europe.
The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) has announced the program and speakers for its annual global conference WINCON, taking place October 15–16 in Sofia, Bulgaria, organized in partnership with ANMIP-BG (the Association of Independent Music Publishers & Producers – Bulgaria) and hosted by SoAlive Music Conference. Marking its 10th anniversary, WINCON 2025 will bring together leaders from over 40 countries to shape the future of the independent music sector.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the EU Court’s « RAAP ruling ». Heads of European music industry bodies and EU parliamentarians agree this anniversary is a new opportunity to commit to concrete action and renew their call on the European Commission to come forward with a legislative fix.
Kees van Weijen has spent over fifty years in the music industry, including senior roles such as Executive Vice President at Universal, before focusing on strengthening the independent sector, including through his independent distribution business Rough Trade which was sold to [PIAS]. As Board Member as well as former Chairman and President of IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, and founder of the Dutch independent network STOMP, he has long been a leading advocate for cultural diversity and fair competition in music.
Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the international network that brings together 37 independent music trade associations operating in 43 territories, has released its 2024-25 Annual Report. The report provides an overview of the activities carried out by the organization from July 2024 to June 2025, highlighting progress in supporting, developing and further connecting the independent community.
Representing a broad coalition of European and global authors, performers, publishers,
producers and other rightsholder organisations, we wish to formally express our dissatisfaction
with the published GPAI Code of Practice, the GPAI Guidelines, and the Template for disclosure
of a sufficiently detailed summary of training data under Article 53 of the EU AI Act.
IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies representing over 6,000 independent music companies and associations, welcomes the European Commission’s decision to open a detailed investigation (phase two) into the proposed merger between Universal Music Group (UMG) and Downtown Music Holdings.
Following on our previous statement, IMPALA calls on EU policy makers to #StayTrueToTheAct and uphold the principles of transparency, consent, and protection of creators, as illustrated in the video sharing ‘Sophia’s Story’.
A coalition of leading European and international independent music companies and trade associations have issued an open letter to Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera at the European Commission, urging the Commission to conduct a deep investigation of Universal Music Group’s (UMG) proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings. This follows a Financial Times exclusive this morning, available here.
The European cultural sector has come together to call on the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States to reinforce the Creative Europe programme in the next EU long-term budget (MFF).
In an open letter sent to the European Commission’s Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition Teresa Ribera, WIN CEO Noemí Planas adds her voice to that of WIN’s sister organization IMPALA in Europe and our Spanish member UFi in calling for a detailed investigation into the UMG/Downtown acquisition. The eyes of the independent music community worldwide are on the EC for leadership to set the standard globally and block this acquisition outright.
At the board meeting ahead of summer and its annual general meeting in October, IMPALA confirmed its strategic priorities and brainstormed on the questions including the current economic climate, its impact on businesses and associations in the sector, as well as streaming reform and consolidation.
As part of its overall EU Network Programme, IMPALA members held its first Blue-sky session to brainstorm on implementation of the new project so far.
Op-ed by IMPALA’s Executive Chair Helen Smith originally released on Music Ally on 25 June 2025.
“Unimaginable in any other sector”
All markets need big companies.
And the world’s biggest music company is more than that. UMG is innovative and bullish. And a great collaborator on so many issues.
The only question is whether there is a point at which big becomes too big?
