The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has officially launched its search for a new CEO to replace Richard Burgess, who will step down in early 2026 after a decade of leadership.

A2IM, representing over 750 member companies in the United States, seeks a visionary leader to oversee both its trade organization (501(c)(6)) and non-profit (501(c)(3)) operations. The ideal candidate will:

• Create and implement effective programming
• Serve as a leading copyright expert
• Develop strategic industry partnerships
• Ensure a sustainable ecosystem for independent record labels
• Navigate evolving legal, commercial, and technological challenges

The organization has partnered with EnterGain, a business and talent advisory firm, to manage the hiring process. Interested candidates should email [email protected] or [email protected] with "A2IM CEO" in the subject line.

"As I prepare to step down, I am deeply proud of what we've accomplished together," said Burgess. "The future of independent music is bright, and it's vital that we find a new leader who will continue to build on our strong foundation, fostering growth, advocacy, and innovation within our community."

The leadership transition comes at a crucial time as the industry faces challenges including AI advancement, streaming service compensation changes, and major label consolidation efforts. Steven Hill, Warp Records marketing executive, was recently confirmed as A2IM's 2024-25 board chair.

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