Revitalised AIRCO announces new board, renewed focus and skills development workshop

The Association of Independent Record Companies (AIRCO) is ending 2009 on a high note with a new board, a renewed focus on multiple industry issues, a free skills development workshop and much more.

Says AIRCO chairperson, Dodo Monamodi, “We are energised, ready to go and are confident of delivering on our mandate to independent record companies as we head in to 2010.”

Monamodi heads a board that also includes an impressive list of music industry veterans, innovators and highly skilled players. He is joined by Caroline Sithole (Skills Development), Mandla Maseko (Marketing & Communications), Ken Haycock (Broadcast), Roach Hilton (Website/Digital), Ashley Stone (Anti Piracy), Itumeleng Radebe (Local Content), Harvey Roberts (International Affairs), Dan Raseluma (Business Affairs), Jonathan Shaw (Legal & Risk), Antos Stella (Sponsorship) and George Lusenga (Transformation).

As part of AIRCO’s newly invigorated approach, the organisation has relocated from Melville to the Downtown Studios building in the Johannesburg CBD. “We fully support the Department of Arts and Culture’s Downtown Music Hub project launched by the former Minister of Arts and Culture in April this year and we look forward to being at the heart of this valuable initiative,” comments Monamodi.

AIRCO is not wasting time in getting down to brass tacks.

One of its first projects falls under its Skills Development Portfolio and consists of a Skills Development Workshop taking place on November 26^th at Downtown Studios.

The one-day workshop will focus on the music business for independent record labels and music entrepreneurship and is the first in a planned series of seminars that will cover strategies for the business, legal, and technological issues affecting record companies and music publishing.

Another important focus at the moment is AIRCO’s presence at MIDEM 2010, where South Africa has been chosen as the country of honour. Taking its impetus from the support of the Department of Arts and Culture for South Africa’s presence at MIDEM 2010 (which forms part of its strategy for export growth in the music sector), AIRCO has approached the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) for financial assistance for emerging companies to be part of the export initiative at MIDEM in 2010. The DTI subsequently requested AIRCO submit a full application on behalf of eligible local emerging companies and 20 potential candidates are currently under consideration for financial assistance.

As part of its ongoing work, AIRCO’s recent Board meeting identified strategic areas of focus for the organisation.

These include copyright (to assist in the exploitation of copyrights created and owned by South African independent record companies), Fair Trade (to achieve commercial terms on par with the major record companies), new technology, legislation (AIRCO will represent its member’s interests in government and legislative issues), manufacturing, international (AIRCO will join the growing international movement that recognises the economic and functional importance of independent record companies, and of the record industry overall), market access, and cultural identity.

Says Monamodi, “We are proud to be independent! Altogether we represent nearly 30% of South African music sales and 60% of South African music releases while dominating certain niche markets. We have faced our fair share of organisational challenges, but have a strong board that is committed to ensuring AIRCO becomes a force to be reckoned with within the South African and international music industries.”

Source by JT Communication Solutions                                                                              
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