5th October 01 New music television boost: AIM and Initial strike joint venture deal The UK's independent music labels are developing ideas for a major new television series, thanks to a joint venture deal agreed by AIM (the Association of Independent Music) and Initial this week.
AIM represents some 550 member labels across the UK while Initial, part of Endemol UK , is the country's leading producer of music programming.
The as yet untitled show, planned for broadcast on terrestrial television, will focus on the best of the UK independent music scene.
The joint venture marries Initial's skills, experience and relationships - the company, for instance, produced the Brit Awards for much of the Nineties - with the extraordinary talent base provided by independent labels, which now accounts for more than 25 per cent of UK retail sales.
The project is being spearheaded by Mike Heneghan (President of PIAS UK) with assistance from Alison Wenham (Chief Executive of AIM), Malcolm Gerrie (Chief Executive of Initial) and Guy Holmes (founder of Gut Records).
Says Alison Wenham, Chief Executive of AIM: "Independent record companies have long been the lifeblood of the British music scene and the deal we have struck with Initial will ensure adventurous music programming for years to come."
Malcolm Gerrie, Chief Executive of Initial, comments: "We're delighted to be joining forces with AIM for what will be a unique partnership. Combining our long running experience in music entertainment with AIM's vast catalogue of talent will create a huge resource for new ideas and opportunities." music empowered by About AIM and the UK independent record sector AIM is a non-profit making trade body representing independent record companies across the UK in all genres. AIM has 550 members labels, including PIAS, Beggars Group, Glasgow Underground, Grand Central, Gut, Ministry of Sound, Mushroom, Mute, Ninja Tune, One Little Indian, Soma, Telstar, V2, Wall Of Sound, Warp, and XL Recordings.
Independent record companies represent over a quarter of the UK market. They operate at the cutting edge, developing new trends and artists, with the result that the sector is responsible for the diversity and success of the record industry at large. It's track record is illustrated at a glance: 7 out of this week's (Oct 6th ) top 40 singles are from UK independent-signed artists - Liberty, Supermen Lovers, Basement Jaxx, Garbage, So Solid Crew, Bob the Builder and Travis. 5 of this year's 12 Mercury Music Prize nominees are from UK independent-signed - Zero 7, Goldfrapp, Elbow, Basement Jaxx and Tom McRae. Four of the top 15 selling new artist albums of 2000 are from UK independent-signed artists (Moby, Craig David, Tom Jones and Travis), and that's in a field which includes 3 best-ofs. During the '90s 40% of new British artists who produced UK gold albums and 30% of those who produced UK platinum or multi-platinum albums were independently sourced.
www.musicindie.org About Initial Initial is the UK's leading producer of music programming. Its credits include the Pepsi Chart (the biggest terrestrial TV music franchise in the world), the Brit Awards 1993-2000, the Q Awards, Our Manics in Havana, TV To Die For - The Greatest Music Show In The World, the White Room, the Greenwich Millennium Event and the Three Tenors.
Initial is part of Endemol UK - one of the largest multi-media entertainment production groups in Britain.
www.endemoluk.com/depts/initial.htm
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