29 May 2001

AIM, British Council and Trade Partners UK on joint trade mission to Forte Riga 

A delegation led by AIM and coordinated, facilitated and funded by the British Council and Trade Partners UK will attend Eastern Europe's Forte Riga music forum, taking place in Latvia from 31 May to 3 June.

The delegation includes AIM members Cooking Vinyl, Beggars Group, Ninja Tune, Wasp Factory, Rough Trade and THE Lightning Export as well as the Music Managers Forum.

Now in its third year, Forte Riga is the only music forum in Eastern Europe, and is uniquely positioned as a meeting point for music companies from both the former Soviet Union, Central and Western Europe.  As a gateway for building trade relationships in the emerging East European Markets, territories that would otherwise be difficult to access, the trade fair, conference and live music festival is an AIM priority.

Brugge hotelsThe idea was first floated by AIM Board member Martin Goldschmidt after he attended last year's conference.  The British Council has helped to organise the mission, and secured a delegate grant of 250 towards travel from Trade Partners UK's Trade Mission scheme.  The package also includes production of a brochure containing information on the delegate companies, to be circulated at the event.  The delegation will also receive a briefing from the British Ambassador and the conference organiser on the industry in Latvia and surrounding territories.

With assistance from Martin Goldschmidt, the conference organisers have been instrumental in ensuring the right people attend.  Attendees from Eastern Europe include the key record companies from Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland.  The organisers have also provided an AIM stand at no cost, as well as the services of a Russian speaking interpreter to assist with meetings.

Martin Goldschmidt, just back from SE Asia and Japan, said "Forte Riga has the potential to be Midem for Eastern Europe.  There are great independent companies there (facing big problems with piracy), but looking for UK partners.  Hopefully AIM will be the answer".

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For further information please contact Sam Shemtob at AIM on 020 8994 5599, 07957 227183 or sam@musicindie.com.

About AIM

AIM is a non-profit making organisation representing independent record companies across the UK in all genres.  AIM has nearly 500 member labels, such as Beggars Group, Warp, V2, Soma, Grand Central, XL Recordings, Mute and Ministry of Sound.  AIM's remit is to promote the use of its members' recorded music and maximise the sector's collective share in relation to the music market as a whole, including the internet.

music_indie, an independent company part-owned by AIM, has been set up to provide all member record companies with economy of scale IT solutions, including a flexible e-commerce tool kit.

hotels MalagaAIM operates a 'Friends of AIM' scheme for companies wishing to ally themselves with the UK independent record sector.

www.musicindie.org

 

Italia HotelesAbout the UK independent record industry

Independent record companies are the lifeblood of the UK recording industry. This is borne out by the fact that in 2000 the independent sector commanded a record 29.9% of the albums market and 23% of the singles market.  It scored four out of the six best selling albums of the year, including the number one, Moby's Play. 

The independents operate at the cutting edge, experimenting with untried trends and acts.  They are able to develop new trends and artists effectively, with the result that the independent sector is responsible for the diversity and success of record industry at large. This early adopter mentality is mirrored in all aspects of the independents' business and they are usually the first to break new markets and take advantage of technological developments.  

The ability of the independents to move quickly and ahead of the majors was one of the main reasons AIM was established - to maximise these opportunities and leverage our collective market share.  With over a quarter of the market, AIM can strike deals that otherwise only a major could negotiate.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK's principal agency for international cultural relations, working with partners in the UK and abroad to build long-term relations with people and institutions in other countries. For many years it has worked to support the recognition of British creative talent abroad, through exhibitions, tours and festivals. That work continues today and remains an essential element of the Council's core activities.

The British Council recognises the wealth of opportunities abroad for the independent music industry and is playing its part in growing this important export activity. It organises missions, provides support overseas and gathers market intelligence.

For more information and an update on activities, please visit the music website at:

www.music.britishcouncil.org