BPI launches "Membership Inclusion Programme"

19 November 2020 - Press release

New scheme of x20 free Full BPI memberships for underrepresented categories aimed at promoting equality & inclusion across the music community and supporting the next generation of leaders

Applications now invited up to 10^th December, with memberships to commence 1^st January 2021

 

UK record labels association the BPI today launches the BPI Membership Inclusion Programme – a new initiative aimed at removing any barriers to entry to the music industry for small labels and music companies run by diverse individuals from backgrounds that may not always have been served by the industry.

The scheme will see up to 20 labels and music companies either owned or run by individuals fromunderrepresented categories – including women, people from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, people with disabilities, or those who identify as LGBTQIA+ – receive free Full BPI membership for a year and all the benefits this entails.

An extensive range of member benefits, which come with no extra charges, include: free access to the BPI's acclaimed training and education (close to 50 staged in 2020 to date alone covering everything from digital marketing to understanding copyright); international business and conference opportunities; trade mission webinars in support of exports and business growth; BPI events such as Insight Sessions, as well as access to partner events at discounted prices; possible legal support and access to copyright protection; research and market insights; government relations engagement; access to the tech startup community via the Music & Tech Springboard Programme; digital and communications support; and more – full details here. 

BPI now invites applications from companies that meet the criteria, with a closing deadline of 6.00pm on 10 December 2020.  The successful companies will be announced on 16 December and receive their free 12-month membership from 1 January 2021 (lasting until 31/12/2021).  An application form can be submitted here, and applications will be considered by an internal BPI committee.

Casandra Strauss, BPI Senior Special Projects Manager, said: "Everyone is rightly upping their game to more actively promote equality and inclusion across our industry, and the BPI has been working hard to make a difference also. Among other initiatives, we recently launched equality training aimed at reducing the barriers that undermine equality of opportunity for all, and we feel we can now build on this in a simple but effective way by offering 20 free memberships to companies from underrepresented categories. In doing so, we hope to support the next, diverse generation of leaders."  

Paulette Long and Kwame Kwaten, Co-Chairs of BPI's Equality and Justice Advisory Group, said: "2020 has further highlighted that there are so many talented people of all backgrounds out there that could offer so much to our industry, but, they can sometimes lack the support structure or network that would help them to further develop their career path or organisation. We welcome this new BPI initiative, which recognises the need to support future leaders, particularly those from underrepresented categories who often have to overcome more barriers than most if they are to succeed."

The BPI Membership Inclusion Programme will complement other BPI initiatives aimed at encouraging greater diversity and inclusion across the music community – including the BRITs Apprentice Scheme, BPI's Equality Training Programme, and the BPI Equality & Justice Advisory Group, which was established earlier this year, drawing members from The BRITs Diversity Advisory Group set up in 2016.