Brussels/Oslo, 9th September 2022,

FONO receives IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution Award for its great work in the Norwegian and European independent music sector at its annual meeting, celebrating its 40^th anniversary

IMPALA congratulates FONO for being the first independent trade association created in Europe back in 1980 and still running strong in 2022. FONO makes a great contribution to IMPALA and is the voice of the Norwegian independent record companies at the European level.

FONO’s chair, Larry Bringsjord, attended the very first IMPALA meetings. He has been a key board member since the beginning and the main driving force behind IMPALA’s digital committee. He is also CEO of MTG Music, one of the largest independent record companies and music publishers in Norway.

This award highlights FONO’s great work for the independent music sector. Former IMPALA’s President Kees Van Weijen handed Larry the prize during FONO’s 40^th anniversary celebrations, in Oslo last night.

Helen Smith, Executive Chair of IMPALA, commented: “FONO’s contribution to IMPALA and the independent sector across Europe is phenomenal. IMPALA’s digital work is just one example. It is now one of our leading focus points, including One Step Ahead webinars and reports on key digital issues, sponsored by Merlin.”

Larry Bringsjord, chair of FONO added: “We’re delighted to receive this award. Seeing the successes of FONO repeated at European level was a key driver in helping set up IMPALA. It’s been a long and fruitful collaboration and our work together will continue to promote the values of the independent sector across Europe.”

Kees van Weijen, President of STOMP concluded: “What a pleasure it was to attend FONO’s 40th birthday celebration and surprise Larry and the board with this award. FONO is an example to all associations and my association in the Netherlands STOMP recently adopted a young execs programme, inspired by FONO’s work.”  

About FONO
FONO is the non-for-profit trade association for independent labels in Norway, representing approximately 150 labels across Norway, covering all musical genres. FONO promotes and supports the interests of its members commercially and politically and provide insight and knowledge to the local music industry professionals.
More info here: https://fono.no/

About IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution Award
IMPALA’s Outstanding Contribution Award is designed to put the spotlight on European independent music and those who drive it, as well as initiatives that deserve particular recognition. Previous recipients include Kees Van Weijen, Keith Harris, Tom Deakin, Love Record Stores, Music Declares Emergency, Markus Tobiassen and newspaper Dagens Næringsliv, Jonas Sjöström (Playground Music Scandinavia), Plus 1 – Refugees welcome!, Label Love, Eurosonic Noorderslag, Armada Music/Armin van Buuren, Martin Mills (Beggars Group), Charles Caldas (Merlin) and Mario Pacheco.
More here.

About IMPALA
IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, was established in 2000 and now represents nearly 6000 independent music companies across 30 countries 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 works on a range of key issues for its members, runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the independent sector – Friends of IMPALA.
More here.