A trade organization known as AIM (Association Of Independent Music) has put together 10 companies to go to China September 8-14, 2007 to attempt to gain intelligence and contacts in that region to help build their businesses.
“China’s rapidly expanding economy and high broadband penetration makes it a key market for British music,” said AIM’s Chairman and CEO Alison Wenham in a statement. “Building on our previous missions, this trade mission will equip British music companies with the vital intelligence and contacts they need to develop their business in the region.”
Some of the participating companies include Creative Capital, London Calling, and Lo-Max Records Ltd. These companies will attend an event put on by the Chinese government that will have presentations from local Chinese concert promoters, lawyers, branding strategists and new media companies, plus independent music sector and international companies already operating in the sector.
Simon Wheeler, Beggars’ head of digital and chairman of AIM’s new media committee, said, “China has great potential as a new music market, but no amount of research, listening or briefings can replace the value of actually being there, seeing how people interact with music and media and feeling the excitement of a rapidly developing market.”
Commentary:
It is good to see that there are companies that want to take a less political, but more personal approach to the challenge of piracy going on in China. Make no mistake this is the underlying theme for this visit. The music industry is loosing money and would definitely benefit from legitimizing the music industry in a country as populated as China with a large amount of potential consumers waiting to spend. If this approach becomes a trend the music industry will do more than just rebound, it will grow in ways that have never been felt before. And since the music industry has become an international market every one involved in the music industry will be effected by this trade mission to China and it will change the industry forever. Everyone wins!
