Since it was first conceived of and created after MIDEM 2005, the Association of Independent Record Companies (AIRCO) has come a long way indeed.

AIRCO is a non profit national industry association proactively serving and representing the interests and development of South African independent music companies both within South Africa and across the world. The organization was established in response to the needs of the independent recording industry in South Africa which were not being specifically catered for by the existing organizations. To this end, the development of the organization was informed by the successful models of such organization as AIM in the UK and IMAPLA in Europe.

Since it was first conceived of and created after MIDEM 2005, the Association of Independent Record Companies (AIRCO) has come a long way indeed. AIRCO is a non profit national industry association proactively serving and representing the interests and development of South African independent music companies both within South Africa and across the world. The organization was established in response to the needs of the independent recording industry in South Africa which were not being specifically catered for by the existing organizations. To this end, the development of the organization was informed by the successful models of such organization as AIM in the UK and IMAPLA in Europe.

The membership of the organisation has subsequently grown to nearly 40, with a membership drive underway to ensure more members sign up. So far the membership consists of some of the biggest and best known independent record labels in South Africa, with a lot of much smaller businesses joining up as well. The 1^st AGM is set for the 21^st of September, and a constitution has been drawn up and ratified by the existing members.

Other activity that has been underway since 2005 is the lobbying of government on broadcast and local content issues as well as the matter of music piracy. Several committees have been set up to investigate specific issues and these include the following:

Anti Piracy

AIRCO’s anti-piracy sub-committee is submitting a document to the Department of Arts and Culture , tabling its concerns over copyright control and piracy in South Africa. Some of the steps to curb piracy that AIRCO is presenting include: 

• Investigating the illegal production and distribution of sound recordings.
• Identifying music pirates to the authorities
• Establishing a team of internet specialist to find and stop illegal downloads of music
• Assisting in criminal trials and civil litigation
• Initiating contact with international organizations to exchange information and coordinate international efforts to stamp out piracy
• To pursue (Pursuing) a policy of education, enforcement, developing technologies and litigation where necessary.

Needle Time

AIRCO lobbied government on 23 May 2006 to publish collection society regulations for Needletime. These regulations have subsequently been published. AIRCO is now engaged in the process of working with all stake holders and role players to find consensus on a format and formula for Needletime distribution. To this end, the broadcast committee is obtaining legal opinion on the ramifications and implications that the Act has for AIRCO members and its artists. It also intends to approach the DTI to establish what government requires from the various stakeholders to move this process forward as well as hold discussions with the artist community.

 
Membership Drive

JT Communications has been retained and briefed to develop and initiate a full-blown media campaign to announce the existence of ARICO and to alert possible future members to its aims, objectives and benefits. This campaign will be driven through all media, including radio, TV, print, online and viral communications platforms.

Government Liaison

Identified as an area of priority concern this committee will lobby the likes of the DAC and the DTI on behalf of the independent music industry on issues which concern them such as local content quota’s, funding, piracy, exports and tax.

Video License Agreements

Over and above the Needletime issues, the broadcast committee has also been busy with preparations for formalizing AIRCO’s relationship with video broadcasters such as the SABC, subscription and free-to-air channels. The RiSA video license agreement with the SABC expired on 1 April 2006 and given the ongoing problems experienced by RiSA in negotiating a blanket video license model and the SABC’s flawed reporting system, the committee believes that AIRCO is well positioned to negotiate with RiSA, at least in the short term, on the collection and distribution of video licensing income on behalf of its members.

In order to move this process forward, it will be essential for all members interested in being represented in these negotiations sign an exclusive Audio Visual agreement with AIRCO. This agreement will be commissioned by the incumbent Exco once it has been elected at the AGM.

Local Content/ICASA

AIRCO is currently weighing up various options to improve local content usage by South African broadcasters. The Broadcasting committee is also consulting with former ICASA chairman Mandla Langa for assistance in getting ICASA to recognize music videos as local content. Other areas of concern under investigation are free interview opportunities, play-listing procedures, reporting of airplay and payola.

The AIRCO Constitution

The interim board has drawn up a constitution for the oganisation which has been approved and signed off by the existing membership, thereby formally giving AIRCO its constitution. The constitution commits the organization to the independent music sector with clear aims and objectives laid out for the advancement of its members, the industry and the culture of our country.

The Interim Board

In order to facilitate the process of the establishment of AIRCO, and interim board has been created to get maters underway. This board will be replaced by one voted for by the full body of members at the first AGM on 19 September.  At present the committee consists of the following:

Irfaan Gillan – Acting Chairperson

(Chissa Entertainment Group )

Harvey Roberts

(Bula Music )

Antos Stella

(AS Entertainment )

Carmen Alexander

(Keystone Entertainment)

Ken Haycock

(Cool Spot)

Tebogo Sithathu

(Twin records)

Musa Nhlapo

(Witbozza)

AIRCO Portfolio’s

Specific portfolios and responsibilities will be determined at the fist AGM on 19 September. The board as elected will determine a management structure for the association, including the creation and delegation of specific portfolios.

Aims and Objectives:

The primary aim of AIRCO is to assist in the growth of the market place that exists for independent South African music and to grow the share of the existing music market that independent companies own. AIRCO aims to achieve this by improving the visibility of independent artists and promoting key issues such as market access and cultural diversity in all national, regional and international policies.

Specific objectives include the following:

Copyright: Assisting in the exploitation of copyrights created and owned by South African independents.

Fair Trade: AIRCO seeks to level the playing field between the independents and the major labels in South Africa by helping independent companies to achieve commercial terms on a par with the majors.

Access To Media: Independent music is currently under-represented on mainstream radio and television. AIRCO will act as a constant reminder to media broadcasters and elected officials that ownership of the airwaves stems from the public trust and that cultural diversity is in the public interest.

New Technology: AIRCO will ensure that the interests of the independent community are represented and catered for at the launch of new technologies and distribution channels.

Legislative: AIRCO will represent its member in government and legislative issues. AIRCO will be visible where our position diverges from that of the majors and for which the independents currently have no voice.

International: AIRCO will join the growing international movement that recognizes the economic and functional importance of independent record companies and of the record industry overall.

Purchasing: AIRCO will explore areas where collective purchasing commitments may result in favourable pricing such as:

a) CD manufacturing

b) Printing

c) Distribution

d) Advertising

e) Legal and accounting

AIRCO is a non profit national industry association proactively serving and representing the interests and development of South African independent music companies both within South Africa and across the world. As such it is of benefit to all independent record companies in South Africa as it represents the interests, concerns and difficulties that are specific to independent labels.

There are also specific information and representation benefits that members will enjoy. These include:

• Access to the AIRCO member’s website. A resource packed information source for all your business and record industry needs.
• Free online legal advice via email
• Regular email updates on industry issues and events
• Free members seminars to help you grow your knowledge and your business
• Introductions to key service providers. For example: CD pressing, selling & distribution, legal, financial, travel, pensions etc.
• Discounts and advice and SA and international trade fairs
• Representation of your companies issues with radio and TV broadcasters, digital licenses, government and other music organizations in order to ensure a level playing field and fair deals for all independents
• International Market Access through trade fairs and sales trips, market research and international collaboration. This includes territories like the UK, EU, the Far East and USA