BPI helps independents get into download market : 14:2:2005

> BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson lobbies MSPs to help indies

 

BPI chairman Peter Jamieson has launched a campaign to help independent labels get their repertoire online to ensure they benefit from the inclusion of download sales in the singles chart.

 

Jamieson says the BPI’s renewed focus on services for independent labels announced last month has identified the lack of availability of independent repertoire for download as a key issue.

 

“We want to ensure that independent repertoire is as successful in the download world as it is the physical world,” he says. “With downloads shortly to be eligible for the singles chart, this is a key commercial issue on which the BPI is committed to assisting its members.”

 

Jamieson says he is lobbying music service providers (MSPs) to prioritise current and forthcoming independent releases. And the BPI is launching a programme of six seminars – entitled “Getting Your Music Online” - aimed at helping its independent label members make the most of growing opportunities in digital distribution.

 

The seminars will take place at the BPI offices on February 15, February 28, March 8, March 22, April 7 and April 21 While BPI members can attend the seminars for free, non-members are welcome to attend all four seminars for £50.

 

Peter Jamieson added: “These seminars mark another step in the process of improving our services to members. We are committed to helping our members improve their businesses in whatever way we can.”

 

THE CAMPAIGN

 

The BPI has been engaged on a multi-pronged campaign to help the independent sector benefit from the download market:

> writing to all the major MSPs on February 8 urging them to prioritise deals with independent labels;

> monitoring each week’s chart and pro-actively calling labels that are not represented online and attempting to help them;

> securing a postponement of the inclusion of downloads into the Official Singles Chart from March 20 to April 17 in order to give independents more time to prepare;

> running a series of seminars focused on raising awareness and understanding among independent labels of what they need to do to compete in the new chart, entitled “Getting Your Music Online”

> commissioning a 12-page BPI guide for independents from trade magazine Music Week called “Getting your singles online”.

 

Members should visit the digital distribution page of the BPI website (business information section) to download information packs from previous seminars.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

BPI Communications Department

 

Matt Phillips | 020 7803 1326

Steve Redmond | 020 7803 1324

 

Notes

 

The BPI is the UK recorded music industry’s trade association.

 

Since its inception in 1973, the BPI’s membership has increased from its 12 founder members to more than 320 companies, representing thousands of UK labels.

 

On January 1 2005, the BPI’s subscription model changed to make its services more accessible to independent members. Its membership scheme also includes companies associated with the record industry but that do not own rights in sound recordings, such as manufacturers, distributors and MSPs. The BPI has over 30 associate members.

 

Companies interested in attending the seminars should contact Harry Maloney on 020 7803 1314. Priority will be given to BPI members, who are advised to apply asap as places are strictly limited.