The Association of Independent South African Record Companies  (AIRCO), looks back on the past twelve months of their existence with a sense of self-assured accomplishment.

Whilst under no illusion of the challenges they face as a voluntary, non-profit association fighting to establish the collective voice of the independent recording industry in South Africa, they have build some solid foundations on which to build in the coming year.

Since the organisation’s inception in May 2006, the Section 21 South African national music industry association has been pro-actively serving and representing the interests and development of South African independent record labels across South Africa and the world.

In March 2007 AIRCO embarked on a series of nationwide information workshops and a membership drive, boosting the ranks of the organisation to around 130 members by September.

In July 2007, AIRCO Chairman Irfaan Gillan resigned to pursue business interests outside of the music industry. Deputy Chairman Harvey Roberts held the reins until the AIRCO AGM on 27 September 2007, where a New Board was elected. Five more board members were elected, bringing the total board to 12. Local musician, producer, businessman and music activist Eugene Mthethwa was elected as new Committee Chairman, and will also oversees the newly formed Transformation Committee which will go some way to ensuring fair and rapid transformation within the independent sector of the music business under the expert guidance of Eugene and the rest of the AIRCO board. Renowned music business brain Antos Stella was elected Vice Chairperson of AIRCO. Full board details and portfolios are available on the newly built AIRCO website – www.airco.org.za .

Setting up the AIRCO website was another milestone for the organisation. www.airco.org.za acts as a powerful, ever-expanding information hub for both the Organisations’ members and those merely wishing to find out more about the South African music industry at large.

Full details of all AIRCO activities, policy documents, press releases, membership forms and contact information, plus other important news and information from the global music industry is also available on the site. All AIRCO members can display their own profiles, listing contact details and business interests. Within the Member’s Area there exists a forum page for hot debates, a Knowledge Base, Press Centre and resource locator.

Already looking into 2008, AIRCO will again be well represented at MIDEM 2008 (the world’s largest global music industry marketplace / trade show) in Cannes, France in January.

For more information on this and all of AIRCO’s activities past, present and future, please visit www.airco.org.za.

For more information, interviews or press opportunities, please contact AIRCO General Manager Kgomotso More; (011) 447 4176.