Worldwide Independent Network Elects New Board
January 21st 2020, London: the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) has announced its newly electedboard of directors. Five new directors join the WIN Board: Francesca Trainini(PMI), Garry West (Compass Records), Jörg Heidemann (VUT), Lisa Levy (RobbinsEntertainment), and Zena White (Partisan Records).
The new directors join a 15 person board, with Justin West (Secret CityRecords) remaining in post as Chair. The new directors are Francesca Traininiof Italian association PMI and who is currently Chair of IMPALA; Jörg Heidemannof German association VUT; Lisa Levy of established American dance labelRobbins Entertainment; Zena White of pioneering independent label PartisanRecords; and Garry West of legendary Americana label Compass Records, who movesfrom his previous role as WIN board observer. Jason Peterson of GoDigital Media Groupjoins the Board as an observer.
WIN Chief Operating Officer Charlie Phillipssaid: “We are delighted to welcome new directors to our Board. Francesca,Garry, Jörg, Lisa, Zena and Jason together bring with them a very broad range ofexperience, insight and diversity to compliment our existing Board. I amexcited to be working with this group of leading executives from our sector tobest serve the global independent community moving forward.”
WINwould like to thank outgoing directors Darius Van Arman, Horst Weidenmüller, Louis Posen, Martin Mills and VicZaraya for their dedication and contributions to WIN and the wider communityover the course of their respective directorships.
Quotes
Francesca Trainini (PMI): “After working for 10 years with IMPALA it’s a pleasure to also start serving on the WIN Board. I am ready to help IMPALA and WIN take on the challenge to create a positive, rewarding and fair environment for independent labels and their artists.”
Lisa Levy (Robbins Entertainment): “I’m very excited to be joiningthe WIN Board of Directors. It’s an honor to work alongside this esteemed groupof people and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of theindependent music community around the world.”
Garry West (Compass Records): “For the last 3 years I’ve hadthe opportunity to observe the WIN board in action and have seen the impact ofthe good work that WIN does on behalf of the entire independent labelcommunity. I look forward to continuing to participate in those efforts asa voting member. And special thanks to Louis Posen, Darius Van Arman andVic Zaraya for their excellent representation of the North American bloc todate.”
Zena White (Partisan Records): “I am excited to be working with the WIN community to representindependent music worldwide and would like to thank my American colleagues whohave served the community so well thus far.”
Jörg Heidemann (VUT): “I am proud to be a part of the WIN Board, and I look forward to working together with our colleagues around the world to ensure the health and prosperity of the independent music sector”
Jason Peterson (GoDigital Media Group): “WIN is an integral part of the global independent label industry. I am elated to join with my colleagues to continue to foster growth and community for independents.”
The full WIN board is (in alphabetical order):
Europe
Francesca Trainini (PMI)
Jörg Heidemann (VUT)
Kees Van Weijen (STOMP)
Mark Kitcatt (Everlasting Records)
Michel Lambot (PIAS)
Observer: Helen Smith (IMPALA)
North America
Garry West (Compass Records)
Justin West (Secret City Records)
Lisa Levy (Robbins Entertainment)
Richard Burgess (A2IM)
Zena White (Partisan Records)
Observer: Jason Peterson (GoDigital Media Group)
Rest of World
Carlos Mills (ABMI/Mills Records)
Chan Kim (Fluxus Music)
Matthew Rogers (Unified Music Group)
Oliver Knust (IMICHILE/Discos Rio Bueno)
Takashi Kamide (IMCJ)
Observer: Dylan Pellett (IMNZ)
Alternates: Jeffrey Chiang (Fluxus Music), Tak Yamazaki (IMCJ)
About WIN:
WIN was founded in 2006 in response to shared issues faced by the independent music sector worldwide, and is committed to connecting and supporting independent music trade associations globally. This is achieved through a network of member associations in Asia, Australasia, Europe, North and South America, representing thousands of music companies and professionals worldwide. WIN is led by its Chief Operating Officer, Charlie Phillips, and its overall direction is guided by its Board, which is made up of directors of independent music companies and associations in all key markets around the world.
WIN acts as a global coordination and support body for the independent sector, focusing on its long-term development and sustainability. Its goal is to foster a diverse and vibrant ecosystem where all independent labels have equal access and opportunities. WIN is also a focal point for collecting and sharing knowledge about the independent sector and wider music industry at national and international level.