CBS, Citadel, Clear Channel and Entercom Agree to a Plan to Energize Relationships With Independent Music Community

March 7, 2007

Now comes the hard part.

The American Association of Independent Music has forged a voluntary agreement with major radio chains CBS, Citadel, Clear Channel and Entercom for them to air 8,400 half-hour blocks of airtime dedicated to independent music.

The agreement rises out of a series of meetings and exchanges the A2IM held with the FCC, and then the radio groups to reflect the independent labels’ 30% marketshare. A “Radio Rules of Engagement” as to how this will take place can be seen below.

Get ready for the new 24-hour “all Arcade Fire all the time” station coming soon to a town near you.

Details on the roll-out of the independent music campaign will be forthcoming as each radio group identifies the way in which to best serve their respective markets. This monumental effort received active support and endorsement from the Future of Music Coalition (FMC), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), American Federation of Independent Music (AFIM), Recording Artists Coalition (RAC), the Music Managers’ Forum (MMF) and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) in an example of the music community rallying its voice to benefit all its members.

Said Thirsty Ear Recordings’ Peter Gordon, lead negotiator for A2IM: “We have taken a free-market approach to fixing an imbalance in the marketplace, a self-correction without government interference. The independent sector is vibrant and the radio group has exhibited a forward thinking approach by supporting new ideas in a climate of uncertainty. We have emerged from a truly remarkable negotiation where both sides have been motivated to do the right things for the right reasons to benefit the listeners. This radio group is embracing a creative solution to a difficult problem to the benefit of all and they should be commended.”

In June 2006, following the first of the “payola” settlements reached by then-N.Y. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and the major record labels, A2IM urged FCC Commissioners to consider the implementation of acknowledged and transparent practices to define the parameters of the relationships between record labels and radio. FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein met with A2IM, then paired them with the radio group to explore ways to work together. The radio consortium and A2IM reached agreement on a set of "Radio Rules of Engagement," the first step towards addressing the relative absence of independent music currently on the airwaves in proportion to the independent marketshare. Led by CBS and endorsed by all the radio groups, this $7 million content commitment is a good-faith demonstration of radio’s willingness to cooperate.

RADIO RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

1. Radio should establish, and appropriately publicize, clear and non-discriminatory procedures for music submissions and access to radio station music programmers (to the extent any such access is provided).

2. Radio should not be allowed to sell or barter access to its music programmers.

3. Radio should not form relationships with any music companies, independent promotion companies, or other parties which provide for exclusive access to radio station music programmers, nor should Radio restrict access to its music programmers to those who contribute promotional consideration.

4. Radio should not exclude independent promotion companies, as a class, from gaining access to music programmers except for independent promotion companies which are compensated based upon playlist additions or increased spins.

5. Radio shall not ask for or expect, either directly or indirectly, any quid pro quo to play music, including but not limited to:
a. Any promotional considerations including cash and prizes
b. Local concert appearances
c. Exclusive relationships with recording artists

6. Radio (individual stations or their parent companies) shall not act in a coercive manner, make or imply threats to withhold or reduce airplay or make or imply promises to commence or increase airplay, in connection with the solicitation of any promotional consideration, or any promotional consideration promised or given to competitor stations, including concert appearances and artist “exclusives.”

7. Disclosure: All cash and non-cash consideration (above a reasonable threshold) made by labels, artists, or their agents shall be confirmed in writing and shall be subject to internal tracking controls, with the information gathered as a result of these controls available to the FCC upon its request.

8. Contest prize recipients to the extent permitted by applicable law must be identified publicly, and confirmed as not employees of the radio station or members of their immediate families or households.

Please not more Arcade Fire on the Radio!!!!!

Well...that's gonna happen in the USA!