HELEN SMITH ACCEPTS THE INDIE-AXE AT THE VIA AWARDS DURING REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL ON BEHALF OF IMPALA
A big thank you to VUT, the VIA Awards and everyone at Reeperbahn Festival for recognising IMPALA with the Indie-Axe. and to all who made the evening so special in Hamburg!
IMPALA WELCOMES EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S DECISION TO OPEN DETAILED INVESTIGATION INTO UMG’S ACQUISITION OF DOWNTOWN, URGES FULL SCRUTINY AND BLOCKING OF DEAL
IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies representing over 6,000 independent music companies and associations, welcomes the European Commission’s decision to open a detailed investigation (phase two) into the proposed merger between Universal Music Group (UMG) and Downtown Music Holdings.
INDEPENDENT MUSIC COMPANY CEOS AROUND THE WORLD CALL FOR END TO FURTHER ANTI-COMPETITIVE, CONSOLIDATION ATTEMPTS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
A coalition of leading European and international independent music companies and trade associations have issued an open letter to Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera at the European Commission, urging the Commission to conduct a deep investigation of Universal Music Group’s (UMG) proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings. This follows a Financial Times exclusive this morning, available here.
IMPALA ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF NEW ‘LABEL CAMP’ PROJECT TO BOOST CROSS-BORDER COLLABORATION AMONG INDEPENDENT MUSIC COMPANIES
IMPALA is launching a new initiative designed to foster cross-border collaboration, peer learning and capacity building among independent labels across Europe. This new ‘Label Camp’ project is part of IMPALA’s EU network programme, which co-funds certain projects, boosting the organisation’s work to reinforce the independent music ecosystem.
IMPALA WELCOMES NEWS THAT EC IS FORMALLY STARTING THE INVESTIGATION INTO UMG’S ACQUISITION OF DOWNTOWN, URGES EC TO BLOCK OUTRIGHT
The European commission has today started its formal investigation into UMG’s acquisition of Downtown, with a provisional deadline of 22nd July to reach an initial conclusion.
LEADING ECONOMIST AND FORMER REGULATOR AMELIA FLETCHER RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF DOWNTOWN MUSIC HOLDINGS BY UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
Former Chief Economist of the UK competition authority, as well as musician and independent music label co-founder, Professor Amelia Fletcher of the University of East Anglia, has sent a letter to the Vice President of the European Commission Teresa Ribera urging her to conduct an in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition.
NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS EMERGENCE OF A TWO-TIER MUSIC STREAMING MARKET FAVOURING SCALE OVER DIVERSITY AND FLAGS NEED FOR URGENT ACTION
A new report “Combating the Emergence of a Two-Tier Music Streaming Market” has been published today. Analysing recent evolutions in the music streaming market, the report warns that a two-tier industry is emerging which requires “immediate attention”.
IMPALA CALLS FOR CLEAN ENERGY ACCESS AND HIGHLIGHTS BEST-PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES IN THE MUSIC SECTOR
With this year’s EU Green Week focus on “Circular Solutions for a Competitive EU,” IMPALA – the European association of independent music companies – is calling on policymakers to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the cultural and creative sectors have equitable access to clean energy and climate transition tools.
MEWEM receives IMPALA’s revamped 2025 changemaker Award for pioneering mentorship and empowering underrepresented voices in the music industry
IMPALA is pleased to announce the 2025 recipient of its revamped Changemaker Award: MEWEM, a pioneering mentoring programme that supports women and gender minorities, including female, trans, and non-binary talents, encouraging them to become entrepreneurs and to increase representation within the music industry.
Merlin and IMPALA Launch Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund to Support Independent Music Sector’s Transition
This Earth Day, Merlin is proud to support the launch of the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund. The fund is a new, multi-year joint initiative between Merlin and IMPALA, designed to accelerate the independent music community’s transition toward a more sustainable future.