WIN UNVEILS NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Madrid, 8th February 2024
· Five new regional blocs announced in international restructuring
· Mexico summit scheduled for end of month
Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the organization that brings together independent music trade associations around the world and acts as a global coordination and support body for the sector, has announced five new board members, while ratifying the reappointment of its Chair and Treasurer.
Renewed annually, the WIN board is made up of independent music company and trade association representatives from around the world who are appointed by WIN members on a geographical basis. To reflect the diversity of languages, genres and cultures that make up its membership, WIN has confirmed a new international structure based on five regional blocs: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Australasia.
The WIN board welcomes five new members: Dario Draštata (Dallas Records, Croatia), Francisca Sandoval (IMICHILE, Chile) and Marty Ro (Sound Republica, South Korea) as directors, together with Alejandro Varela (S-Music, Argentina) and Sridhar Swaminathan (SIMCA, India) as observers. It also commended the work of Zena White and Maria Amato, who were reappointed as Chair and Treasurer, respectively. Warm thanks were given to outgoing members Francesca Trainini (PMI, Italy), Jeffrey Chiang (Fluxus, South Korea) and Oliver Knust (IMICHILE, Chile) for their continued commitment.
North America
- Garry West (Compass Records, USA)
- Gord Dimitrieff (Aporia Records, Canada)
- Jason Peterson (GoDigital Media Group, USA)
- Richard Burgess (A2IM, USA)
- Zena White (Partisan Records, USA)
- Observer: Tony Kiewel (Sub Pop, USA)
Latin America
- Francisca Sandoval (IMICHILE, Chile)
- Sandra Rodrigues (ABMI, Brazil)
- Observer: Alejandro Varela (S-Music, Argentina)
Europe
- Dario Draštata (Dallas Records, Croatia)
- Gee Davy (AIM, UK)
- Geert De Blaere (N.E.W.S., Belgium)
- Jörg Heidemann (VUT, Germany)
- Mark Kitcatt (Everlasting Records, Spain)
- Observer: Helen Smith (IMPALA, Europe)
Asia
- Marty Ro (Sound Republica, South Korea)
- Takuya Yamazaki (IMCJ, Japan)
- Observer: Sridhar Swaminathan (SIMCA, India)
- Maria Amato (AIR, Australia)
- Observer: Dylan Pellett (IMNZ, New Zealand)
Noemí Planas, WIN CEO stated “I’m excited to welcome these astounding professionals to our board from new territories like Croatia, India and Argentina, as well as new faces from South Korea and Chile. The revamped board structure builds on our priority to empower and unite independents in all parts of the world. As WIN continues to grow its membership, we look forward to soon adding members in countries like Mexico, and our visit to Guadalajara later this month will contribute to that end.”
About WIN
The Worldwide Independent Network connects and develops the global independent music community. WIN currently brings together trade associations representing thousands of independent music businesses throughout Australasia, Asia, Europe, North and South America. WIN acts as a global coordination and support network for the independent sector, focusing on its long-term development and sustainability. WIN promotes a diverse and vibrant ecosystem with full market access and equal opportunities for all independents, through transparency, innovation and cooperation.
About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 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 European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA.