WIN unveils new board members

Five new regional blocs announced in international restructuring

Mexico summit scheduled for end of month

Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the organization that brings together independent music trade associations around the world and acts as a global coordination and support body for the sector, has announced five new board members, while ratifying the reappointment of its Chair and Treasurer.

Renewed annually, the WIN board is made up of independent music company and trade association representatives from around the world who are appointed by WIN members on a geographical basis. To reflect the diversity of languages, genres and cultures that make up its membership, WIN has confirmed a new international structure based on five regional blocs: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. 

The WIN board welcomes five new members: Dario Draštata (Dallas Records, Croatia), Francisca Sandoval (IMICHILE, Chile) and Marty Ro (Sound Republica, South Korea) as directors, together with Alejandro Varela (S-Music/ASIAr, Argentina) and Sridhar Swaminathan (SIMCA, India) as observers. It also commended the work of Zena White and Maria Amato, who were reappointed as Chair and Treasurer, respectively. Warm thanks were given to outgoing members Francesca Trainini (PMI, Italy), Jeffrey Chiang (Fluxus, South Korea) and Oliver Knust (IMICHILE, Chile) for their continued commitment.

The 20 members of the WIN board for 2024 are:

North America
Garry West (Compass Records, USA)
Gord Dimitrieff (Aporia Records, Canada)
Jason Peterson (GoDigital Media Group, USA)
Richard Burgess (A2IM, USA)
Zena White (Partisan Records, USA)
Observer: Tony Kiewel (Sub Pop, USA)

Latin America
Francisca Sandoval (IMICHILE, Chile)
Sandra Rodrigues (ABMI, Brazil)
Observer: Alejandro Varela (S-Music/ASIAr, Argentina)

Europe
Dario Draštata (Dallas Records, Croatia)
Gee Davy (AIM, UK)
Geert De Blaere (N.E.W.S., Belgium)
Jörg Heidemann (VUT, Germany)
Mark Kitcatt (Everlasting Records, Spain)
Observer: Helen Smith (IMPALA, Europe)

Asia
Marty Ro (Sound Republica, South Korea)
Takuya Yamazaki (IMCJ, Japan)
Observer: Sridhar Swaminathan (SIMCA, India)

Australasia
Maria Amato (AIR, Australia)
Observer: Dylan Pellett (IMNZ, New Zealand)

I am grateful to be given the opportunity to continue as Chair of WIN and my congratulations go to our five new board members. Our North Star is to strengthen the sector by having an independent music trade association in all countries where there is a commercial music business. The new regional bloc structure reflects our purpose to connect as many territories as we can. I am particularly proud of WIN’s work with groups in Latin America and Asia-Pacific on their specific agendas, as well as adding associations in India, Paraguay and Bulgaria to our membership.

Zena White, Partisan Records / WIN Chair

In addition, Zena White and Noemí Planas, the CEO of WIN, alongside representatives from member associations in other Latin American countries, will travel to Guadalajara (Mexico) in late February/early March to attend the FIM GDL conference and to host an independent labels summit and WINHUB networking event connecting music professionals from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and the US with members of WIN and other international delegates.

I’m excited to welcome these astounding professionals to our board from new territories like Croatia, India and Argentina, as well as new faces from South Korea and Chile. The revamped board structure builds on our priority to empower and unite independents in all parts of the world. As WIN continues to grow its membership, we look forward to soon adding members in countries like Mexico, and our visit to Guadalajara later this month will contribute to that end.

Noemí Planas, WIN CEO

ABOUT WIN
The Worldwide Independent Network connects and develops the global independent music community. WIN currently brings together trade associations representing thousands of independent music businesses throughout Australasia, Asia, Europe, North and South America. WIN acts as a global coordination and support network for the independent sector, focusing on its long-term development and sustainability. WIN promotes a diverse and vibrant ecosystem with full market access and equal opportunities for all independents, through transparency, innovation and cooperation.