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Introducing The International Music Managers Forum

Published: Tue 22 Jul 2003 09:25 AM
Introducing The International Music Managers Forum (Immf) In New Zealand
The IMMF is dedicated to giving modern managers the status they deserve alongside accountants, lawyers and record company executives. In the early days of the sixties and seventies when managers first played a significant role in the music business they suffered a bad press, which in some cases was entirely justified! The press perceived managers as Mafioso style rogues and charlatans who were exploiting musicians. Throughout the eighties and nineties the manager's role became more and more sophisticated and professional to the point where now there are many degree courses in Artist Management.
The IMMF is a dynamic proactive organisation and is usually to be found on the cutting edge of all controversial music industry issues. The reason for this is that managers are the only group within the industry who have to deal with every aspect of the industry on a daily basis and are therefore uniquely placed positioned in this respect for the crucial role they hold within the music industry.
The MMF offers it's members a huge range of benefits. These include:
€ A National Seminar Series aimed at enlightening and informing members of the latest developments on a wide variety of music related issues. € A Manager's Manual - the defining text on music management around the world. Compiled after exhaustive research and interviews with managers actively involved in the industry, the manual covers everything from recording and publishing contracts, to merchandising deals, to accounting and taxation obligations, to touring and much, much more. € Discounts in areas such as travel and logistics, industry directory listings, studio hire, equipment and vehicle rental and backline. € Discounts for international music conferences such as Midem (France), Popkomm (Germany), In The City (UK), SXSW & CMJ (USA) and NXNE (Canada). € A website with a 'members only' section that contains up to the minute industry information, member news and a discussion forum where NZ managers can build their knowledge and networks globally. € Simplifying and reforming music business agreements such as recording and publishing contracts for new clauses which may not be in artist's and therefore manager's interests. The IMMF is also concerned to reform various industry norms such as issues like assignment of copyright and packaging deductions in recording contracts as well as a host of other old-fashioned and blatantly unfair conditions. € Pursuing payment from hidden income streams, campaigning specifically for the rights of contracted featured artists and seeking to ensure that they are paid in keeping with their status and the contributions they make to recordings. € Copyright protection advocacy & lobbying: The IMMF continues to monitor new developments in technology particularly in regard to the Internet (such as, digital distribution, digital rights and income derived from digital usage of music) and new sound carriers. As well member countries having forged links with their own Governments regarding copyright issues, the IMMF has observer status with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva.
An organisation representing our country's managers was long overdue and one of the last vital pieces of infrastructure remaining to be accomplished as New Zealand music continues on it's dynamic expansion and success. The MMF is the result of meetings that occurred during last year's World Series, then followed through by proactive managers in New Zealand & Australia. Further help in instigating this new national body was provided by the NZ Music Industry Commission during NZ Music Month, and membership finally opened on July 1st, 2003.
New Zealand has become the 12th member country to join the IMMF. There are active MMF organisations in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland. The IMMF is also working towards developing affiliates in emerging countries of significance such as China. The IMMF represents and promotes high ethical standards in music management to which members are expected to adhere.
New Zealand artists continue to have an increasing impact in international territories. Through the IMMF their managers now have the global support network to "seal the deal" in these territories.

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