Indie Music Rights (IMR) has joined IMPALA’s business affiliate programme under an initial two-year agreement, with the aim of broadening finance options for Europe’s independent music sector. The partnership will connect the catalogue acquisition and management company with IMPALA’s network to exchange expertise on music rights, catalogue management and valuation.
Catalogue ownership and management
IMR acquires, manages and develops independent music catalogues worldwide. Its model centres on co-ownership and long-term relationships with rights owners, offering an alternative to outright catalogue sales to traditional buyers.
The company’s catalogue work includes:
- Organising metadata and improving rights claims.
- Reducing unnecessary costs.
- Combining short-term optimisation with long-term catalogue development.
IMR operates with a small specialist team that works with rights owners and other stakeholders throughout the process.
Building links with independent rights owners
Paul Sigvaldsen, chief commercial officer and partner at Indie Music Rights, said: “Independence is at the heart of what we do at IMR. We want independent rightsowners to have more choice when looking at the future of their catalogues, and to have a partner who understands the value of what they have built. Our two-year commitment to Friends of IMPALA reflects that we want to build a real relationship with the independent community in Europe. We look forward to getting to know IMPALA’s members, exchanging experiences and finding ways to work together.”
Helen Smith, executive chair of IMPALA, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Indie Music Rights as Friend of IMPALA. Having different options available to independent rightsowners is important, particularly when it comes to the future of their catalogues. IMR brings valuable experience in this area, as well as an interesting model based on co-ownership and working with rights owners over the longer term. We look forward to working with Paal and the team in exploring these topics with our members.”
IMPALA’s European network
Established in 2000, IMPALA, the Independent Music Companies Association, represents more than 6,000 independent music companies in Europe. Its Friends of IMPALA programme enables businesses to develop strategic relationships with the European independent sector.
IMPALA’s sector figures include:
- Small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists 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.
The association’s objectives include sustainable growth for independent music, greater returns to artists, diversity, entrepreneurship, political access and access to finance. It also runs award schemes and began a new co-funded work programme as a European Union cultural network in 2025.
