Worldwide Independent Network elects five new board members

The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), which represents independent music trade associations worldwide, announced five new board members while re-electing its Chair and Treasurer.

The 20-member board, elected annually, comprises independent music company and trade association representatives from various regions. To better cater to its diverse membership, WIN established five regional blocs: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia.

New board members include Dario Draštata (Dallas Records, Croatia), Fran Sandoval (IMICHILE, Chile), and Marty Ro (Sound Republica, South Korea) as directors, with Alejandro Varela (S-Music, Argentina) and Sridhar Swaminathan (SIMCA, India) joining as observers. Zena White and Maria Amato were re-elected Chair and Treasurer, respectively.

WIN also announced the departure of members Francesca Trainini (PMI, Italy), Jeffrey Chiang (Fluxus, South Korea) and Oliver Knust (IMICHILE, Chile).

“I am grateful to be given the opportunity to continue as Chair of WIN and my congratulations go to our five new board members,” WIN Chair Zena White said.

“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, WIN

“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.”

Later this month, Zena White, CEO Noemí Planas, and representatives from member associations will attend the FIM GDL conference in Guadalajara, Mexico. They will also host an independent labels summit and networking event connecting music professionals from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and the US with members of WIN and other international delegates.

“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.”

Noemí Planas, WIN

“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,” Planas said.

“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.”

WIN’s 20-member 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, 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)

WIN represents thousands of independent music businesses through trade associations across the globe. As a coordination and support body, WIN advocates for the long-term development and sustainability of the independent music sector. 

Music Business Worldwide