AIM Sync conference to be free virtual event in response to Covid-19

26 March 2020 - Press release

The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has announced that its global sync licensing conference, AIM Sync, will be the first major music business conference adapted to become a virtual event in response to the Covid-19 crisis.  

With live revenues and marketing spend destroyed by the crisis, sync revenue is more important to secure than ever. AIM is responding to this need by making this deal-making event free for all existing ticketholders, as well as all members of AIM and event partners the Guild of Music Supervisors (GMS), and key industry figures from the sync and brands landscape. Anyone who has purchased a ticket previously will receive a refund. AIM and GMS Members can register for their free tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/aim-sync-2020-tickets-90977021721 

The event will be presented as a live and interactive virtual conference, hosted via the AIM Sync website (www.aimsync.co.uk), powered by UK-based digital experience agency level8 on the original date planned, 30 March. The Department for International Trade (DIT) is an Official Partner of the event and have provided unprecedented support to AIM during the transformation of the event.  

Almost all the programming planned for the original event will take place in the virtual environment including panel discussions, interactive workshops, listening sessions, and 1-2-1 speed networking sessions, with over 100 meetings scheduled. Participants will be able to choose between a series of online 'arenas', each hosting different live content throughout the day, reflecting the format of a physical event but with all participants and organisers enabled to attend from their homes and other places of isolation. 

Paul Pacifico, CEO of AIM said: "Sync has become a crucial revenue stream for music rightsholders at a time when other areas have been reduced or nullified by Coronavirus, such as live and touring. For this reason, AIM committed to ensuring that AIM Sync went ahead, free to access for the benefit of our members and the wider independent and sync communities. 

"It has been incredible to see how quickly the AIM team were able to turn around the format of the event. Going virtual is a technological step forward for this global conference, which relies on bringing together international experts from around the world. With speakers from Europe, North America and Australasia, the format will allow us to host this deal-making conference not only safely, but with a minimal carbon footprint and an unexpected chance to lead by example with an environmentally friendly event." 

Speakers taking part in the virtual conference join from companies including: 2WEI Music, Air Edel, BBC, Believe Sync, Domino Publishing, Hospital Records, Mute Song, Trailer Park Group, Warp Records, Xbox Game Studios and more. 

A number of panel discussions and case studies will take place, covering a range of topics including: 

·         'Sex Education' Case Study 

·         Independent Music & Luxury Brands 

·         'The Crown' Trailer Case Study 

·         'Forza Horizon' x Hospital Records Case Study 

·         The Sync Market in Australia 

·         Advance Deal Masterclass 

·         2WEI Music: 'How to Place Your Music in Ads, Trailers and Feature Films' 

·         BBC Sync & Soundtrack Workshop 

 

The informal award-giving, a new addition to this year's conference, were originally planned to be presented at the event's networking drinks. The awards will now proceed virtually, with the winners of the two categories, 'Independent Sync of the Year' and 'Music Supervisor of the Year', to be announced online. Judged by a panel of experts from the sync community, the awards shine a spotlight on the use of independent music in the sync and brand landscape. 

All original ticketholders for AIM Sync will get free access to AIM's indispensable 'Sync Guide', which has been revised and updated, ready for launch on the day of the virtual event. The guide is also available free to all AIM Rightsholder and Distributor Members. Non-members will be able to purchase the guide through AIM's website soon.

AIM has published a document of Covid-19 guidance for music SMEs, which is being updated regularly with the latest information. You can access it here https://www.aim.org.uk/#/resources/covid-19-coronavirus---aim-member-faq