Earlier this year, the longtime chief of US independent-labels body A2IM, Dr Richard James Burgess, announced that he would be stepping down at the end of this year. Now his replacement has been confirmed: Ian Harrison. He’s the executive vice president of Hopeless Records, home of artists including Avenged Sevenfold, New Found Glory and Sum 41.
But Harrison has also been involved with A2IM since 2012 in various roles. “The independent community is stronger and more dynamic than ever, yet also facing accelerating challenges that will test our resilience and adaptability,” said Harrison. “Independent music has been my life’s work, and I am excited to serve in this new capacity.”
In more news from the independent sector today, European body Impala has launched a pilot of its new equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) toolkit. It helps labels track their progress, access training online, and contribute their views to Impala’s survey of the sector. Impala’s Nastasja Prévost said the launch was fuelled by “the need to step up our work at a time when EDI is being deprioritised elsewhere”.
