Photo Credit: Association of Independent Music
How does the indie community really feel about Universal Music’s proposed Downtown purchase? The answer is complicated – at least according to new remarks from Association of Independent Music (AIM) chair Ruth Barlow.
The Beggars Group live-licensing director Barlow pushed back against the much-discussed deal, which is facing a European Commission antitrust review, during AIM’s annual meeting yesterday.
With the Commission’s decision tentatively expected to arrive before February 6th, several indie companies and organizations have been rather vocal in calling for the acquisition to be blocked. And we’ve covered this clear-cut pushback – as well as adjacent concerns about market concentration, competition, and more – in detail.
While the criticism has taken center stage, some in the indie world apparently believe that the UMG-Downtown play could unlock “potential benefits.”
As communicated by Barlow, the possible deal “has prompted a range of views across our community” – with the “mix of perspectives” underscoring “the diversity of AIM’s membership.”
Among the proponents (or at a minimum the parties not entirely opposed) are “those in joint ventures with majors, those working with major-owned distributors, and some within the independent distribution community,” the higher-up indicated.
It probably won’t come as a surprise in light of the clashing indie views, but not all the UMG-Downtown discourse has been constructive, Barlow emphasized.
“I also want to take a moment to venture into a slightly sensitive area – but I feel it’s important to address,” the Beggars Group exec stated.
“It’s been particularly disappointing to see advocates on behalf of Universal attempt to reframe our opposition and make repeated efforts to undermine what AIM and our sister organizations stand for. To discredit the work of our leaders and to question the integrity of those who have simply spoken up or shared their experience,” Barlow continued.
“Some of the opinions shared connected to the acquisition have drifted beyond healthy debate. We’ve seen language suggesting that independent voices are ‘fear mongering,’ ‘misrepresenting truths,’ or even ‘extremist’ in our opposition.”
Nevertheless, and as initially highlighted, Barlow proceeded to reiterate AIM’s opposition to the purchase – “not because of who’s involved, but because of what’s at stake.”
“A balanced marketplace drives opportunity, creativity, diversity, competition, and choice – outcomes that benefit everyone,” Barlow relayed on this front. “But when a handful of companies control both the pipes and the insights flowing through them, that visibility could turn independent success into a kind of scouting system where creativity is harvested, not nurtured. That’s the risk we’re highlighting.”
As those who’ve followed remarks from and campaigns spearheaded by IMPALA and others will recognize, the perceived risk isn’t new.
And assuming the current schedule holds, it won’t be all that long before we learn whether the resulting public (and private) concerns are enough to nix the deal.
“[A]s we look ahead,” Barlow concluded, “it’s possible the Downtown decision won’t go our way. But AIM’s work doesn’t begin or end with any single outcome. Our purpose is to stay constant: to represent you, the independent community, to connect the people and ideas that shape it, and to make sure independence always has a voice.”
