IMPALA launches its new Changemaker Award to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in the independent music sector with Power Up as first recipient 18 May 2022
IMPALA is launching a new award scheme, known as the Changemaker Award. Part of IMPALA’s diversity and inclusion work, the award aims to put the spotlight on projects that promote change in the independent sector and inspire others to take action. It is being launched in May as part of IMPALA’s schedule for European Diversity Month.
The first recipient of this new award is the POWER UP initiative, which supports Black music creators and industry professionals and executives, as well as addressing anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector. POWER UP was launched in January 2021, co-founded by PRS Foundation and Ben Wynter and managed by PRS Foundation in partnership with YouTube Music, Beggars Group, Spotify and the Black Music Coalition.
The need for a new dedicated award scheme was brought up during the very first meetings of IMPALA’s task force back in 2020, advised by Keith Harris OBE and was one of 12 commitments set out in IMPALA’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter.
The award will be run yearly, with IMPALA members nominating projects, and IMPALA’s equity, diversity and inclusion task force voting the winner. IMPALA also launched a new dedicated webpage to highlight other initiatives that promote equity, diversity and inclusion in the music sector (see here).
Ben Wynter, Co-Founder of POWER UP, Founder of Unstoppable Music, and AIM Entrepreneur and Outreach Manager commented: “Thank you to the IMPALA Taskforce for honoring POWER UP as the first recipients of this award. I’d like to thank members of our steering group, focus groups, participants, partners and Senior POWER UP Manager Yaw Owusu, as well as Charisse at Black Lives in Music, Paulette Long, and Danny D for giving me the strength, wisdom, and support to carry on when at times the burden felt too much to bear. I would also like to shine a light on and encourage all of the other organisations and initiatives working to create a fairer and more diverse industry for all across Europe. Their work does not go unnoticed and inspires us all at POWER UP. (continues below)”
Joe Frankland, CEO, PRS Foundation added: “It’s a real honour to be the first recipients of an award which celebrates changemaking initiatives in a way we hope inspires the independent sector to go further to actively combat discrimination. Since launching our programme for Black music creators and industry professionals in the UK, we have received almost 1,000 applications and over £10m in support has been requested. Demand for a fairer and equitable music industry from those hitting glass ceilings and experiencing racial barriers is undeniable. The POWER UP participants are creating a powerful network and prove that everyone benefits from this targeted, changemaking approach. (continues below)”
Eva Karman Reinhold, SOM’s CEO, IMPALA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion task force’s co-chair commented: “This new award is one of our charter’s commitments and I’m really happy we’re launching it. Real change takes time, also in the music industry, and this is not a one-off. We’re still working on equity, diversity and inclusion with IMPALA’s task force and this award will take place yearly. POWER UP is a great initiative, and we also take this opportunity to highlight others by launching a new changemakers webpage.”
Keith Harris OBE, adviser of IMPALA’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion task force continued:
“I am impressed by the work POWER UP has done in past two years and I’m pleased that they are committed to building better long-term support and infra-structure for Black creators and professionals in the music industry.”
Helen Smith, IMPALA’s Executive Chair commented: “We’re delighted to see POWER UP as first recipient of IMPALA's Changemaker Award. Our new award scheme is the perfect opportunity to highlight the great work they’re doing. We hope this will help our members to get inspired and take action locally. We encourage the music sector in each country to have their own POWER UP scheme."
Paul Pacifico, AIM’s CEO and IMPALA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion task force’s co-chair added: “POWER UP has shown that impactful programmes can start to have significant effects in a short timeframe. It would be amazing to see other initiatives inspired by their approach develop in other European countries and this award is well deserved. It’s great to share best practices and there is much to learn from all of the ones IMPALA is featuring. I’m also very pleased to see Women In CTRL on the list, founded by Nadia Khan, AIM’s Chair.”
Joe Frankland continued: “We are grateful to the many partners who believed in the initiative help to drive things forward. And I would like to thank Ben, Yaw and other inspiring Executive Steering Committee members, plus the dozens of Black music creators and professionals who helped to shape and steer the initiative from the beginning.
Meaningful and lasting change requires support from several partners, and we welcome further collaboration across the independent sector.”
Ben Wynter concluded: “POWER UP was created to move the needle on anti-Black behaviour within the music industry and to facilitate better dialogue for those companies who posted black squares, wanted to do better but didn’t know how to, whilst breaking down the unspoken barriers that often exist between their organisations and the Black music community.
Despite pushback from some in the industry, the first year proved to be an overwhelming success and we’re proud to bring together partners to bring about much needed change. We want to see more people actively engaging and collaborating with us so POWER UP can light their path as they take steps in the right direction towards authentic engagement and understanding of the Black music community and anti-Black racism. The data coming out of POWER UP justify what we already knew that a glass ceiling DOES exist and that equipping underrepresented talent with the tools to dismantle that ceiling works.
Awards such as these are always bittersweet, as we would all like to work in an industry where an award like this isn’t needed. The journey has been mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting and this award is a much-needed shot in the arm to encourage all associated with POWER UP to keep going, and to keep the conversation around actively combatting anti-Black racism going.”
NEWS & PRESS
Hipgnosis: Impact of Copyright Royalty Board III Decision
The Board of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, the first UK listed investment company offering investors a pure-play exposure to songs and associated intellectual property rights, and its Investment Adviser, Hipgnosis Song Management Limited, welcome the decision of the US Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) to...more
Gaming soundtracks – These songs brought in the most cash!
Minecraft's song 'Sweden' by C418 gets first spot, with over 102 million Spotify streams and estimated earnings of over $408k The Zelda theme, as well as the Super Mario theme surprisingly share the last two ranks In the world of video games,...more
The summer of sporting entertainment has arrived as The Hundred unveils blockbuster music line-up
Headliners Bastille will take to the stage at Lord's for The Hundred final on 3 September Kicking off from 3 August, each match day will feature BBC Music Introducing artists and DJs performing live at venues across the country Samm Henshaw, Jordan...more
Three Six Zero Announce Signing of New J-pop Supergroup SG5
Three Six Zero have announced the signing of new J-pop supergroup SG5 as a management client. Spawning from the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon World, one of Japan’s most renowned IPs, SG5 is an intergalactic pop supergroup that protects the universe from...more
Village Underground celebrates 15 years of independence
Village Underground celebrates its 15th birthday with a month of parties this September. Gwenno, salute, DJ Nobu, Paula Temple, Two Shell, Optimo, WU-LU, Oli XL and Channel One Sound System have all been announced this morning as part of their...more
ASM Global celebrates wins for P&J Live and Olympia London at AEO Awards
ASM Global, the world's leading producer of entertainment experiences, venue management and event strategy, celebrates two wins this week, following the AEO (Association of Event Organisers) Awards which took place on 24 June at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London. P&J Live in Aberdeen,...more
UK Music Appoints Stephanie Haughton-Campbell as Director of Operations
UK Music has appointed Stephanie Haughton-Campbell as its new Director of Operations. Stephanie handles business operations, the UK Music Board secretariat and project management across UK Music's campaign outputs and events. Before joining UK Music Stephanie served as Chief of Staff at...more
PPL pays out £71.3 million to a record number of 113,271 performers and recording rightsholders in June distribution
PPL, the UK's music licensing company for recorded music, today makes a payment of £71.3 million to 113,271 performers and recording rightsholders. This is the highest number of performers and recording rightsholders paid in a June distribution and follows PPL...more
Utopia Music enters exclusive partnership with Red Bee Media
The partnership will lead to increased transparency and greater efficiencies in royalty allocation for the use of music on TV and radio Utopia can significantly reduce the administrative burden placed on broadcasters of tracking and reporting music usage due to regulatory...more
Universal Music Group becomes the permanent home of Frank Zappa Estate
Company Acquires Recordings, Song Catalog, Film Archive and Complete Contents of The Vault of the Legendary American Artist, Genius Composer, Rock Guitar Virtuoso, Free Speech Activist and One-Time Cultural Ambassador to Czechoslovakia Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based...more
Logic signs to BMG
MULTI-PLATINUM SUPERSTAR LOGIC SIGNS TO BMG CITES BMG'S COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING ARTISTS Multi-Platinum, chart-topping hip-hop superstar Logic has switched labels to BMG, citing the company's distinctive commitment to giving artists control of their careers. Logic's new multi-album global partnership with BMG will allow...more
Track Club Becomes TikTok Sound Partner
The socially conscious subscription music platform for creators is joining TikTok's curated Sound Partners program via parent company Marmoset, letting brands use Track Club sounds in their TikTok ads. Track Club, the subscription-based source for quality music for creators, is available...more
Proper ink world ex. Americas distribution deal with Chrysalis & Tommy Boy
Legendary labels Chrysalis and Tommy Boy Records have signed a world ex. Americas distribution deal with Proper Music Group, part of the Utopia family. Both independent labels are part of the Reservoir group of companies. Commencing on 1st July, Proper will...more
Notting Hill Carnival CEO Matthew Phillip announced as new AIF Chair
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has appointed Notting Hill Carnival CEO Matthew Phillip as its new Chair. Phillip is the CEO of Carnival Village Trust, London's leading Carnival development agency, which is dedicated to supporting and delivering an integrated programme of...more
AEG’s David Jones appointed to newly created Chief Information Officer, Global Technology role
Effective immediately, London-based executive will lead the new overarching global technology division for the world’s leading sports and live entertainment organization. AEG has appointed David Jones to the newly-created role of Chief Information Officer, AEG Global Technology it was today announced by the...more
Better Noise Music promotes Paul Cormack to General Manager
Management Promotion Coincides With the Major Theatrical Release of THE RETALIATORS, a Better Noise Film, This Fall Cormack Leading Strategy for New Albums from Five Finger Death Punch, NOTHING MORE, The HU, and Eva Under Fire, Plus Recent Releases from Classless Act...more
TuneCore Underscores Commitment to Innovation with Appointment of Alisha Outridge to Newly Created Position of Chief Technology & Product Officer
Outridge's background includes leading teams and expanding product offerings internationally at both startups as well as industry leading companies such as Facebook (Meta), iHeartRadio, and KickApps Leading independent digital music distributor for self-releasing artists and labels TuneCore, a division of global digital music...more
Neko Trust and Gallowglass launch 'Diversity in Crewing' initiative
Neko Trust - the major charity for the live music sector - has joined forces with leading event crewing company, Gallowglass, to launch Future Crew - a training scheme to tackle the lack of diversity in backstage crew and support...more
Downtown Music Services Announces Publishing and Label Services Agreement with Geejam Music
Agreement Covers Existing Catalogue & New Signings including Jamaican Dancehall Sensation Skeng Downtown Music Services, which offers bespoke distribution, publishing administration, creative marketing and finance solutions to entrepreneurial creators and their partners has announced a new agreement with international music company...more
Perfect Havoc Sign Just Kiddin To Management Roster
Perfect Havoc, the UK independent record label and management agency, has signed the breaking, commercial house music duo Just Kiddin to its management roster. The announcement comes after Just Kiddin were signed to Perfect Havoc for a global single deal...more
Beatport Group announces new executive hires in London and Barcelona
The Beatport Group, the global leader in music for DJs, producers, and their fans, announced today several new executive hires. With over 14 years of marketing experience under her belt, Emilie Birks joins The Beatport Group as Vice President of Marketing....more
Avex USA expands its venture investment fund to $25M
Avex USA, launched in Los Angeles less than a year ago, has already shaken up the music industry with major publishing signings and buzzy hits for its label SELENE. Today, Avex USA, announced that it has expanded its Future of...more
Digital Havens: Entertainment merchandising expert and accessibility advocate Stevie Hopkins wants to build an inclusive web3 home for pop culture fans
Stevie Hopkins, CEO and founder of entertainment industry branding and merch service SCP Merchandising, has learned a lot over the decades about what connects people who love the same music, games, or fashion. A master of merchandise, he built a...more
DistroKid Officially Launches DistroVid, a Music Video Distribution Service That Lets Artists Upload Unlimited Music Video to Apple Music, Amazon, TIDAL and Vevo
DistroKid, the world's leading distributor of independent music, announced today that it has launched DistroVid, a groundbreaking new music video distribution service that enables any artist to upload an unlimited number of music videos to leading digital service providers for one...more
Spin Magazine to launch free ad supported streaming TV channel later this year via distributor Best Ever Channels
From one of the most recognized names in music journalism and media, the SPIN Magazine channel will feature special live concerts, SPIN archives, original shows, classic music films, documentaries, and music videos SPIN, one of the world's most-recognized sources for music...more
Reservoir announces publishing deal with multi-platinum hip-hop producer Marley Marl
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR) (“Reservoir” or the “Company”), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a deal for a stake in the catalog of multi-Platinum hip-hop producer Marlon Williams, professionally known as Marley Marl. The deal includes the iconic, 2x-Platinum...more
Backstreet Boys and Westlife collaboration breaks livestream records on WeChat
- Broadcast last Friday (June 24th), a free livestream performance by Backstreet Boys, recorded at Rock Lititz Studio, Pennsylvania, was watched by a record-breaking 45m Chinese viewers via Tencent's WeChat app. - Sponsored by Lincoln and produced by 24/7 Productions, it was the highest-attended...more
Warner Chappell Music Korea brings back international songwriting camps
As COVID-19 restrictions ease in South Korea, Warner Chappell Music Korea has brought back in-studio songwriting camps by hosting a two-week songwriting camp in the company’s newly renovated building in Seoul. The camp brought together songwriters from all around the...more
CIRKAY Fan Pass announces metaverse partnership with NOWHERE
This partnership allows music fans to access more experiences with and content from their favourite acts. Following the release of the UK’s first chart eligible NFT, CIRKAY is thrilled to announce a partnership with NOWHERE, the innovative face-to-face video chat metaverse delivering the most...more
Viagogo fined €23.5M by Italian Regulator for breaking rules on secondary ticketing rules
Italy's Communications Regulatory Authority AGCOM, has fined viagogo €23.5M for breaking Italy's rules on secondary ticketing and given it seven days to remove the illegal listings from its site. The decision, taken at an AGCOM Council meeting on 23 June 2022,...more
THE HEADLINES
US Copyright Royalty Board sets new rate (see News)
Calls for PPL and Australia's PPCA to forge neighbouring rights agreement (see News)
PPL pays out to highest number of recipients ever (see News)
Future-proofing publishing services (see Comment)
Raye talks about artistic autonomy (see Features)
Reports from MuscAlly's Web3 Sandbox Summit (see Features)
The landscape of online fandom is shifting (see Analysis)
Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul’ and the long tail of ‘Show Me Love’ (see Features)
AEG's Jim King on his plans to build up BST Hyde Park (see Features)
Churn in the era of dynamic retention (see Analysis)
UK celebrates biggest live music weekend ever (see Features, Reviews)
Spotify revamps its Live Events Feed (see Digital)
Music’s future is here: It’s called streaming (see Comment)
The British music industry must do better on race (see Comment)
Spotify Advertising released its annual global trend report (see Analysis)
33 companies to watch if you’re interested in music and the metaverse (see Analysis)
Synchtank releases Music Publishing in the Age of the Songwriter report (see Analysis)
Four Tet settles historic royalty rate dispute with Domino (see News)