NARM Announces Launch of digitalmusic.org

This press release was issued by NARM and digitalmusic.org before the two entities became collectively known as the Music Business Association on October 7, 2013.

Virtual Home for the Digital Music Business

San Francisco, CA and Marlton, NJ (September 12, 2011) – Today at SFMusicTech, music business association NARM announced the launch of digitalmusic.org, the virtual home of NARM’s digital initiatives (formerly known as the Digital Think Tank). For more than fifty years, NARM has driven the business of music, providing a platform to resolve issues, networking events to build critical relationships, and education on the latest tools, technology and trends. digitalmusic.org updates this experience for next-generation companies.

“We needed one dedicated place for NARM’s digitally-focused members and particularly those participating in the Work Groups to go to find the latest information on the organization’s activities and a platform to better interact with each other,” said Bill Wilson, NARM VP of Digital Strategy & Business Development. “digitalmusic.org is that industry resource, the place where the people that are working on the issues around digital commerce can actively participate on their resolution.”

“digitalmusic.org is a very important step in NARM’s evolution,” said Jim Donio, NARM President. “The Digital Think Tank is less than two years old, but it became clear it had grown larger and needed its own identity. The name says it all: digitalmusic.org is the definitive home of the digital music business.”

The blog on digitalmusic.org will have regular updates from industry experts, starting with posts from noted industry executives, including Mark Isherwood, COO of DDEX, on standards, Jim Griffin, Managing Director, OneHouse, LLC on the International Music Registry; Paul Jessop, County Analytics on ISRC; and lawyer John T. Mitchell on the nature of digital rights. The six Work Groups (Archival & Contextual Metadata, Digital Supply Chain, Metrics & Sales Analysis, Music & Gaming, Music Subscription and Product Development) are all represented with their mission statements, lists of participating companies, and progress reports, as well as information on how to apply to join. NARM and digitalmusic.org members also have access to commissioned research reports, the NARM Distributor Database, and member discounts. NARM and digitalmusic.org have teamed with startups Superpowered and Rolodexy to provide low cost online networking, and are curating their own series of exclusive Digital Dinners, with more to come.

About DigitalMusic.org

digitalmusic.org (DMO) is the home for the digital initiatives of NARM, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers, the trade association for the business of music. NARM provides the central platform for the discussion of industry-wide concerns and spearheading the implementation of initiatives to advance the business. While primarily focused on physical formats for much of its history, NARM has expanded its mission in the past ten years to include all facets of music commerce. This includes physical, digital, and mobile commerce partners as well as gaming, applications, and other emerging revenue models. DMO is governed under the the by-laws of NARM, by NARM President Jim Donio, the NARM Board Of Directors, and directly by digitalmusic.org Co-chairs Christina Calio (Microsoft Entrainment), David Levin (Sony Music Entertainment) and Bill Wilson, NARM VP of Digital Strategy & Business Development. Topics and actions for each individual work groups are determined by the individual work group leaders.

About NARM

Established in 1958, NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) is the trade association for the business of music, providing the central platform for the discussion of industry-wide concerns, spearheading the implementation of initiatives to promote music commerce, and advocating for common interests. Members include companies and individuals from all aspects of music distribution, including physical, digital, and mobile outlets as well as gaming, applications, merchandise, video and more. NARM members have access to a variety of conferences, virtual seminars, networking opportunities, information and education resources. NARM is a non-profit organization based in Marlton, New Jersey. Visit us at www.narm.com.

The 2012 NARM Music Business Convention, one of the most important events in the industry’s calendar, will be May 7-10 at the Los Angeles Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

###