National Association of Independent Record Distributors

The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) is a trade association that represents independent record labels in the United States. A2IM is headquartered in New York City. There are also chapters of A2IM located in Nashville, Chicago, Northern California, Southern California, and the Pacific Northwest.

A2IM launched on July 4, 2005. The organization has some 400 independent music label members and over 150 associate members (companies who don't own masters but rely upon, provide services for, or otherwise support independent music labels). A2IM was preceded by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors (NAIRD) founded in 1972. In 1997 it changed its name to the Association for Independent Music (AFIM). As AFIM, the organization was best known for the annual issuing of Indie Awards, recognizing artistic and commercial success among artists signed to independent music labels. These were known as "NAIRD awards" prior to the name change. The AFIM Indie Awards were last issued in 2003, and the organization dissolved in 2004. The name "Indie Award" has since been adopted by the Canadian Music Week convention.

A2IM's CEO is Richard James Burgess. The organization's board of directors is composed of the following: ATO Records VP of Finance and Licensing Stephanie Alexa; Razor & Tie CEO and Co-Founder Craig Balsam; Yep Roc Records Founder Glenn Dicker; INgrooves EVP and GM, Amy Deitz; Epitaph Records/Anti General Manager Dave Hansen; Big Machine Label Group COO Andrew Kautz; Beggars Group Founder/CEO Martin Mills; Hopeless Records Founder/CEO Louis Posen; Dualtone Records CEO/Co-Founder Scott Robinson; Tommy Boy Founder/CEO Tom Silverman; and Secretly Label Group Co-Owner Darius Van Arman

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