WIN, A2IM, Secretly Group & More Call on Regulators to Block Virgin Music’s Downtown Acquisition billboard.com/pro/virgin-dow…

As we head into 2025, we wanted to thank all our members and supporters for making 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ such a great year full of milestones for the global independent music community. 🎉 Here’s to an even brighter 2025 together!

🇪🇺IMPALA launches new programme of activities under EU grant scheme for strategic cultural networks. 🔸Read our press release 👉tinyurl.com/2j69vzwz

How to detect AI content on streaming platforms? With help of AI, of course!

🚨Coalition of rightholder organisations share serious concerns about the 2nd draft of the GPAI Code of Practice. 🔧Code requires substantial improvements to meet the objectives of the #AIAct. 🧐Read the coalition’s open letter to EVP Henna Virkkunen 👉tinyurl.com/9s7catse

🇸🇮 Tomorrow - 16:00 MENT Ljubljana 🎤 💡 Join Karla Rogožar (IMPALA), Dario Draštata (Runda), Paulina Parvanov (LIME), and Kristiyana Georgieva (ANMIP) in the panel 'Amplifying Talent & Mentorship: Music Business Education in Europe'. More ℹ️👉ment.si/en/programme/

Still safest in EU🇭🇷

🚨Indie labels urge regulators to block Universal’s takeover of Downtown🚫 UMG, the world’s biggest music company, wants to control access, reduce options for labels and artists, get hold of competitors & pass UMG companies off as independent. Statement👉tinyurl.com/3s4hdatm

🎉IMPALA presents Outstanding Contribution Award to Eva Karman Reinhold of SOM🇸🇪 Recognised for her leadership in EDI & 5 years as founder/co-chair of IMPALA’s EDI task force. Presented at Manifestgalan in Stockholm, marking SOM’s 50th anniversary. 👉tinyurl.com/ycywue78

🚨IMPALA’s 12-Point Playbook to Boost Revenues & Diversity in Music🎵 With indies behind 80% of Europe’s new releases, it’s time for bold action. 📣 This is a call to EU leaders to put music & culture at the heart of Europe’s growth. 🔗Full plan: tinyurl.com/4dkbcmcj

🚨 IMPALA welcomes start of the European Commission’s investigation into UMG’s acquisition of Downtown Music and calls for EC to do in-depth investigation and block the deal outright. Statement 👉 tinyurl.com/5b9e8v4v See comments below 👇

🎵 200+ CEOs of indie music companies across Europe & beyond urge Teresa Ribera and the European Commission to scrutinise UMG’s acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings. 📢 They've signed an open letter calling for a phase two investigation of the deal. Letter👉tinyurl.com/2fe8p8d2

Everybody’s fav time of the year is back 🥁 RUNDA Digital Day vol. 7.0 is loading! 🗣️ 50+ panelists 🫂 200+ delegates from all over Europe 🙂‍↕️ panels, talks, workshops, networking This year’s theme: "Change is constant: What’s next for the indie music industry?"

Huge thanks to Vut, Jörg Heidemann, the VIA Awards & @Reeperbahn_Fest for recognising IMPALA with the Indie-Axe! 🧡 🙌 Honoured to celebrate independence, diversity & the future of our sector in Hamburg 🇩🇪 More info ℹ️👉 tinyurl.com/3jart6sn

IMPALA joins EP "Culture in next EU budget" discussion: ✅Welcomes continued Creative Europe Culture Strand w/ bigger budget 🚨Calls co-legislators to back budget & 21% allocation as minimum for over-subscribed programme 💪Urges MEPs to keep supporting tailored action for music

Time to stand up for culture - Ahead of its keynote at Eurosonic, IMPALA sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector Read the full statement here 👉tinyurl.com/443buzbr

🚨 New report by Dan Fowler stresses importance of culturally diverse, independent European music ecosystem as an “economic engine”. Calls for investment, targeted regulatory oversight & sector collaboration. Statement 👉 tinyurl.com/ce3wedp9 Report 👉 tinyurl.com/kw75zr3w

🎶Music needs a strong place in #AgoraEU Today, IMPALA joins 22 organisations from across Europe’s music ecosystem to call for an ambitious, well-funded and genuinely sectoral approach for music within the future #AgoraEU programme. ➡️Read: impalamusic.org/joint-call-for…

Thank you AIE Soc. de Artistas for hosting our board. President Luis Cobos gave an inspiring speech and we discussed shared priorities with Vice President Nacho García Vega and Managing Director José Luis Sevillano Romero, Director Álvaro Hernández-Pinzón Garcia and Mario Pato Esteban

🇪🇺 IMPALA comments on European Parliament report on copyright and generative AI, calls for the recognition of human artistry and diversity into AI frameworks. Read our statement here: lnkd.in/ePq6gvmR