Further Programme Details Announced

9am to 7pm, Thursday 10th September • Rich Mix, London

We can now announce the near-final programming details for AIM Connected, the UK’s flagship independent music conference and networking event.

We have plenty of new sessions to share, which take place across three rooms of programming, including ‘The Future of Independence’, which is moderated by AIM CEO Gee Davy, and will feature AudioSalad CEO Iain Catling, WIN CEO Noemí Planas and ORCA Executive Director Patrick Clifton. Drawing on expertise spanning business, advocacy, finance and technology, this panel will examine some of the key opportunities and risks facing the sector today and will look at how independents can continue to secure visibility, retain value and build sustainably into the long term.

AI is still firmly on the industry agenda this year — and who better to help us parse the thorny issues surrounding the collision of humans and machines than Music Ally Head of Insights Stuart Dredge, who will deliver ‘AI, Music and Humans: Where Do We Go from Here?’ Dredge has covered seemingly every recent development in the overlap between big tech and music and will bring exceptional critical insight (and even some humour?) to this controversial topic. This is in addition to the previously announced session ‘AI Is Coming for Your Job (Or Is It?)’, which takes a different perspective by looking at how independent workforces are addressing AI’s opportunities and threats.

Elsewhere, Curve Royalty Systems CEO Richard Leach will lead a Strong Opinion session called ‘The Curve Perspective: Independence in an Interdependent Industry’, a session where Richard will share his unique vantage point gained from his extensive work with independents.

Merlin will present ‘Unlocking Global Reach: Data Strategies for Independent Success’. Exploring how independents can turn data into global success, the session will start with a presentation from the Merlin Insights team (represented here by Marta de la Hoz and Martin Vovk) focussing on how to transform data into actionable insights. This will then be followed by a panel discussion featuring Involved Group Head of Distribution & Rights Management David Lapushner, Republic of Music Head of Insights and Studio PartnershipsRobyn Edwards and Domino Head of Digital Partnerships and Analytics Rachel Buswell, who will share how their businesses are using data to inform campaigns and strategies.

For those of you with an interest in fraud- and slop-busting, new names have been added to ‘You Wouldn’t Steal a Handbag: Combatting Fraud and Slop’, which will now feature Cargo Independent Distributions Projects leadKameil Sattar along with Warp Records Head of OperationsCaroline Hansen and MUSO CEO Andy Chatterley.

The previously announced panel ‘Thinking Global: International Release Strategies in a Borderless Market’, will look at how businesses can take a ‘glocalised’ approach to international trade; whilst Meme Records Founder and CEO Frank Hamilton is now set to join Chess Club Records Head of Marketing and Label Operations Jade Johnston on ‘The Fangirl Never Dies’ to discuss how to build and engage fan communities.

Key Partner Deep Dives - Further Details

AIM Connected’s popular ‘Deep Dive’ sessions return!  Ticket buyers can sign up to these exclusive sessions where capacity is limited to allow for active participation. Sign-up details will be emailed following ticket purchase. Get your ticket today to secure a space!

AIM Connected’s Deep Dive sessions — brought to you by Luminate, SOMA, Amazon Music, Meta and Arts Council England — are instructive sessions where AIM’s key partners drill down into a specific area close to their business, offering fresh, up-to-date and, of course, deep insights into some crucial areas for your business.

SOMA’s session, ‘Content, Community and Cash Money’, will feature SOMA Co-Founder Sean Fay, Modern Sky Label Manager Esme O’Keeffe, Something Something CEO and Founder Liam James Ward and Laylo Director of Artists & Live Events EMEATaz Sharp, and aims to shed light on how artists can achieve multi-channel success across organic social media content, direct-to-fan marketing and paid advertising.

For those needing more clarity on the new government fund developed specifically for record labels and other music businesses, there will be a session from Arts Council England Relationship & Development Manager Han Deeble, which will explain how music SMEs and entrepreneurs can access the new £45M Music Growth Package.

This is in addition to sessions from Amazon Music, where Head of Indies Mitch Page will be joined by Planet Fans Managing Director Ella Hartley to dissect the value of pre-sale ticket access for super fans; and META, where Music Label Partnerships lead Josh Nicoll will discuss how Meta’s platforms can turn everyday listeners into superfans.

Finally, Luminate will share their latest in-depth music industry data insights.

Networking and Refreshments

Attendees should arrive from 9am to enjoy an industry breakfast-time networking hour, complete with complimentary tea and coffee, to power you up for a full-day conference. There will be a ‘finger food’ working lunch later in the day to ensure your brains are refuelled for an educational and thought-provoking afternoon. Additionally, there will be ample opportunity to rub shoulders and make new connections with fellow attendees and speakers throughout the day, including in our central networking and marketplace area where the coffee hour, lunch and drinks reception will  take place. There are many spaces in the building and nearby to have in-depth one-on-ones — just ask AIM team members for information about this on the day.

Networking Drinks Sponsored by Audiosalad

As well as networking opportunities throughout the day, there will be a drinks reception at the end, generously sponsored by AudioSalad — your opportunity to mix with the crowd of high-calibre attendees that make AIM Connected such a vibrant and inspiring event.

Business Marketplace

Key music industry businesses and AIM partners will be present in the networking area where they will host market tables promoting their businesses and services. This is an opportunity for you to scope out partnerships, make new connections with relevant businesses and encounter new ideas, technologies and business models.

Sessions

AI Is Coming for Your Job (Or Is It)
Featuring:
Nicola Tager - Russells Solicitors
Janeace Thompson, Founder - Ihuman Ltd
Aine Markey - Chrysalis Records / Blue Raincoat Music

US Market Deep Dive
Featuring:
Chirag Patel - American Association of Independent Music (A2IM)

You Wouldn't Steal A Handbag: Combatting Fraud & Slop
Featuring:
Caroline Hansen - Warp Records
Kameil Sattar - Cargo Independent Distribution
Andy Chatterley - MUSO

AI, Music and Humans: Where Do We Go From Here?
Featuring:
Stuart Dredge - Music Ally

The Future of Independence
Featuring:
Gee Davy - AIM
Iain Catling - AudioSalad Patrick Clifton - ORCA
Noemi Planas - Worldwide Independent Network (WIN)

The Fangirl Never Dies
Featuring:
Jade Johnston - Chess Club Records
Frank Hamilton - MEME Records

South Korea Market Overview
Featuring:
Marty Ro - Record Labels Association of Korea / Sound Republica Inc

Thinking Global: International Release Strategies in a Borderless Market
Featuring:
James Moodie - Distiller Music
Martha Hinnigan - Domino Recording Co
Alice Oliveira - Partisan Records
Rachel Bolland - Secretly Group

Independent Market Deep Dive
Featuring:
Adrian Sarosi - Luminate

Music Growth Package Workshop with Arts Council England
Featuring:
Han Deeble - Arts Council England

Content, Community, Cash Money with Soma
Featuring:
Esme O'Keeffe - Modern Sky
Liam James Ward - Something Something
Sean Fay - SOMA
Taz Sharp - Laylo

Amazon Music Deep Dive
Featuring:
Ella Hartley - Planet Fans
Mitch Page - Amazon Music

Press Play: Music & the Meta Ecosystem
Featuring:
Josh Nicoll - Meta

Unlocking Global Reach: Data Strategies for Independent Success With Merlin
Featuring:
Marta de la Hoz - Merlin
Matin Vovk - Merlin
David Lapushner - Involved Group
Robyn Edwards - Republic of Music
Rachel Buswell — Domino Recording Co

The Curve Perspective: Independence in an Interdependent Industry
Featuring:
Richard Leach - Curve