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.