A2IM OFFERS FCC PROPOSED PAYOLA SOLUTIONS

The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has its own idea for a proposed set of guidelines to promote equal access to the airwaves and transparency in the relationships between record labels and radio programmers.

The org made the proposal at the invitation of FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein to work on a compliance plan, a goal that the indie group first announced on February 28 with an open letter to then-FCC head Kevin Martin voicing concerns that current industry practices should be examined and reformed.

“This represents a first step in what we hope the FCC will implement across the board,” says A2IM’s Acting President Don Rose. “We’re relying on them now to return with feedback and we’ll look forward to engaging further in the process as it develops.

“This proposal is made with the hope that the process of music selection at radio can be reformed to better serve the needs of recording artists, music producers, radio programmers, and the listening public.”

TO ACHIEVE EQUAL ACCESS TO STATION PDS:

*The development and publication of clear procedures for how radio entities receive, process, and respond to submissions.

*Radio will not be permitted to sell or barter with anyone for access to the airwaves.

*Radio will not be permitted to form exclusive relationships or provide preferential treatment to entities offering payment, incentives, greater artist access, etc.

*Radio will not exclude authorized music company reps from access to programmers.

*Unmarked Fed Ex envelopes to be used at all times.

TO ESTABLISH TRANSPARENCY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RADIO AND RECORD LABELS:

*No compensation for music play, either directly or implied, including but not limited to promotional considerations of cash and prizes, availability of artist for radio concert events, or the expectation of exclusive access to artists that would limit artists ability to perform, appear, etc on another station in the market.

*Neither a station nor its parent company shall act in a coercive manner, make threats or imply that airplay would be withheld or reduced unless artist complies with requests for exclusives, performances, etc.

*Neither a station nor its parent company shall act in a coercive manner, make threats or imply that airplay would be withheld or reduced if an artist participates with another station in the market

*Disclosure: Receipt of cash and non-cash prizes shall be confirmed by written agreement and disclosed on-air and on the station’s website for a period of time.

*Contest winners must be verified to be unconnected to radio station personnel and must be identified publicly. Artists shall receive fair compensation for appearances at radio station concerts; such appearances shall not become prerequisites for radio airplay.

*All e-mails regarding promotional costs should be immediately deleted.