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WINCON 2025 PROGRAMME AND SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR SOFIA EDITION

The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) has announced the program and speakers for its annual global conference WINCON, taking place October 15–16 in Sofia, Bulgaria, organized in partnership with ANMIP-BG (the Association of Independent Music Publishers & Producers – Bulgaria) and hosted by SoAlive Music Conference. Marking its 10th anniversary, WINCON 2025 will bring together leaders from over 40 countries to shape the future of the independent music sector.

KEES VAN WEIJEN: “THE NETHERLANDS AT THE HEART OF EUROPE’S MUSIC: WHY INDEPENDENCE MATTERS AND WHY I WILL NOT BE SILENCED ABOUT UMG’S ACQUISITION OF DOWNTOWN”

Kees van Weijen has spent over fifty years in the music industry, including senior roles such as Executive Vice President at Universal, before focusing on strengthening the independent sector, including through his independent distribution business Rough Trade which was sold to [PIAS]. As Board Member as well as former Chairman and President of IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, and founder of the Dutch independent network STOMP, he has long been a leading advocate for cultural diversity and fair competition in music.

WIN ANNUAL REPORT CELEBRATES A STRONG AND UNITED INDEPENDENT MUSIC COMMUNITY

Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the international network that brings together 37 independent music trade associations operating in 43 territories, has released its 2024-25 Annual Report. The report provides an overview of the activities carried out by the organization from July 2024 to June 2025, highlighting progress in supporting, developing and further connecting the independent community.

“INDEPENDENT MUSIC COMPANIES AND THE ARTISTS THEY WORK WITH AROUND THE WORLD RELY ON EUROPE’S AMBITION TO LEAD THE WAY AND INSPIRE US” – OPEN LETTER FROM WIN CEO TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION VICE-PRESIDENT TERESA RIBERA ON UMG/DOWNTOWN DEAL

In an open letter sent to the European Commission’s Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition Teresa Ribera, WIN CEO Noemí Planas adds her voice to that of WIN’s sister organization IMPALA in Europe and our Spanish member UFi in calling for a detailed investigation into the UMG/Downtown acquisition. The eyes of the independent music community worldwide are on the EC for leadership to set the standard globally and block this acquisition outright.

IMPALA / CMU Digital Forward webinar: How do you build sustainable marketing strategies beyond streaming platforms?

We’re pleased to invite you to our upcoming IMPALA x CMU webinar taking place this Friday, 27th June at 15:00 CET / 14:00 GMT, as part of our Digital Forward project, co-funded by the European Union.

Webinar title: ‘How do you build sustainable marketing strategies beyond streaming platforms?’ – Friday, 27 June – 15:00 CET / 14:00 GMT. This session will explore the findings of our newly released report: ‘Digital Marketing for Independent Record Labels PART 1 – Mastering Off-Platform Strategies’, the first publication under our Digital Forward series.

IMPALA’S REMUNERATION PLAYBOOK – 12 RECOMMENDATIONS TO BOOST REVENUES AND DIVERSITY IN TODAY’S MUSIC BUSINESS

As we close European Diversity Month, IMPALA presents its remuneration playbook* – a reminder of some of the basic components of a comprehensive strategy for decision makers to boost revenues and diversity. This is important as the independent sector accounts for 80% of all new musical releases in Europe today and is made up of thousands of micro, small and medium sized businesses, playing a key role in taking risks, boosting diversity and partnering artists in their careers.