London Trip: Day 5

DAY 5: Wednesday

AIM
My first port of call today is a visit to AIM (The Association of Independent Music). I’ve been chatting with AIM on and off for the best part of two years now. For those not in the know, the Association of Independent Music is a non-profit-making trade organisation for independent record companies and distributors in the UK. The organisation offers a variety of services including: Advice, seminars, mentoring, networking, legal and business affairs guidance, a work experience scheme, commercial negotiation, lobbying and bargaining, and opening access to international markets.

The general feeling amongst the Aardvark Board is now is the right time for us to become a member of AIM. Aardvark has emerged through a three year re-structuring and re-branding process as an international label. As we enter a period which will see us launch offices in our key international markets, we feel that we have something to offer newer labels in terms of some of our successful business models – as well as learning from larger independent labels that have been around far longer than us.

The meeting with Lara Baker (Marketing and Communications Manager) and Michael Fuller (Head of Legal and Business Affairs) was informative and extremely productive. The meeting covered a staggering amount of ground in a relatively short period of time: Lara and Michael explained the full gamut of what AIM offers its members and I outlined Aardvark’s progress over the past few years and its business models. It was also a great experience to chat about my concerns as an independent label. Basically: 1) how independent labels are overshadowed by major labels and 2) the hurdles independent labels have to jump through in certain quarters, namely UK radio. I was also happy to chat about our experiences with CD on Demand distribution. This technology will revolutionise the way in which CDs are manufactured and purchased.

Timing, as they say, is everything. I’m certainly looking forward to being an active member within this great organisation.


BLOGNATION
voeveo kindly asked me to take parting an interview with Sam Sethi from Blognation., the online news portal whose aim is to report on the UK Web 2.0 scene, covering the technology, enterprise and mobile markets as well as the people and events that make up this ecosystem. I’m on hand to discuss aspects of voevoe from a record label and producer’s point of view.

I enthused –as could only be expected – about the fact that voeveo enabled Aardvark to speak directly with buyers. I always enthuse about this because it is rare for a record label to connect directly with people who buy music from its artists. It’s not just about receiving feedback – it’s about building relationships with people who like the label and support its artists.

Additional topics I covered were: the flexibility of pricing our content, the fact that voeveo supports multiple currencies and more importantly – that every sales transaction is transparent. I also waxed lyrical about the fact that this is not a subscription based model. People can buy what they want, when they want, without any obligation.

Needless to say, I look forward to seeing the published piece!


VOEVOE LAUNCH PARTY
The voevoe UK launch party took place later in the evening. The venue was M&C Saatchi’s Golden Square offices. The venue brought back some fond and funny memories as I did a stint at M&C Saatchi when it first opened its doors – and the offices were still a building site. This was a trip filled with various homecomings it would seem.

Networking has never been my thing. I’m told I am quite good at it once I ‘suck it up’ and get into the swing of things. However, I’m never entirely comfortable with the whole making small talk thing. This occasion was definitely different. Conversations flowed easily – in no small part due to the amazing hors d'oeuvres being served up and the equally amazing Kiwi drinks being served. The New Zealand made vodka 42 Degrees is a must for any vodka connoisseur.

One of the best conversations had to be with R from Ministry of Sound. To say I have spent the past few years trying to develop a relationship with MoS is an understatement. R is an amazing chap and our chat covered al sorts of ground. So it proves to even a cynic like me that networking can and, in the right circumstances does, work.

Jen, Jane and Annabel can certainly feel justifiably proud of a very successful launch party. The turnout was great – especially for a Wednesday evening. The mix of people and professions was superb and the conversations, as previously mentioned, enjoyable. A bit of impromptu live entertainment from Emm of Rados (by public request, I hasten to add) certainly add a delightful and memorable touch.