IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association) has paid tribute to Patrick Zelnik, the French music executive and founder of Naïve. Zelnik was a co-founder of IMPALA and served as its president and co-president from 2006 to 2012.
Tribute from IMPALA
Helen Smith, IMPALA Executive Chair, said:
“We are sad to learn of the passing of Patrick, a very important person in the history of IMPALA. He was one of the co-founders through his company Naive and was president and then co-president from 2006 to 2012. He remained an active member of IMPALA right up until Naive was sold and even a couple of years ago he called up with a new idea he wanted to discuss.
Often in Brussels, Patrick was a real supporter of the work of IMPALA in underlining the importance of cultural diversity, fair competition and a well functioning digital market. He helped the whole industry in Europe as well as France drive a positive narrative about the economic contribution of culture and in particular small and medium cultural businesses.
Patrick would challenge and test and had a great sense of humour. He and Michel Lambot made a great pair and I recall more than one meeting in Brussels where we could hardly stop laughing before we went in.
We remember Patrick with admiration and fondness.”
European advocacy
Zelnik was often in Brussels and supported IMPALA’s work on cultural diversity, fair competition and a well functioning digital market. Smith also recalled Zelnik’s working relationship with Michel Lambot, co-founder of [PIAS], describing their humour before meetings.
About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and represents over 6,000 independent music companies in Europe. Its membership includes small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists, which make up 99% of Europe’s music companies.
- Independents produce more than 80% of all new releases.
- They account for 80% of the sector’s jobs.
IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. In 2025 it began a co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network. The organisation runs award schemes and a Friends of IMPALA programme for businesses seeking strategic relationships with the European independent sector.
This year IMPALA is marking its 25th anniversary with a series called Faces of the Independent Sector.
