The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has announced the full speaker line-up for its flagship conference AIM Connected, which will take place on 4 February at Kings Place, London.

The newly announced speakers comprise an international group of experts from companies across the music industry and creative sectors including: Young Turks, Anjunabeats, Amazon Music, Bandcamp, Deezer, Blackstar London, Scruff of the Neck, PPL, AWAL, FUGA, Proper Music and many more.

Replacing the standard panel format, this year the conference will feature a series of quick-fire 'Strong Opinions', plus case-studies from independent success stories, practical workshops and speed networking sessions. The event will feature over 30 industry-leading speakers across a series of Strong Opinions, case studies, workshops and speed-networking sessions.

'Strong Opinions' deliver cutting-edge hot takes from leading industry experts in a fast-paced, TED-style 15-minute format. Highlights include a presentation on how music can help to tackle the climate crisis from the Founder of Young Turks, Caius Pawson, as well as insight on how voice activation is changing the music landscape from Amazon Music's Ivy Taylor.

Case studies provide blow-by-blow accounts on how some of the biggest independent success stories were achieved this year. AIM Member Anjunabeats will be presenting a case study on the innovative release of Grammy Award-winning label founders Above and Beyond's album 'Flow State', which was launched as a journey for yoga, meditation and mindfulness. Manchester-based record label Scruff of the Neck will also showcase their journey to being crowned Best Small Label at the 2019 AIM Awards.

Paul Pacifico, CEO of AIM said: "We're delighted to present this eclectic line-up of expert speakers for the return of our landmark conference this February. Through a detailed curation process, we've ensured that the most cutting-edge and crucial topics are covered for anyone running a modern music business today, from the future of data flow and voice to more expansive issues like diversity and climate change. It is without a doubt a key event of the year for the independent sector to come together and share ideas."

For tickets and the full line-up of events, visit http://www.aimconnected.com. The event is open to both AIM members and non-members, and is fully accessible, with an eye on sustainability.

Subsidised member tickets for AIM Connected start from £80+VAT for rightsholder members, and non-member tickets start from £195+VAT. Lunch, refreshments and networking drinks are included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for members of affiliate organisations.

The newly announced speakers and sessions are as follows:

Strong Opinions

Ammo Talwar (CEO, Punch Records & Chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce)
'Progress and Profit Through Diversity in 2020'
Caius Pawson (Founder, Young Turks)
'Can Music Fix The Climate Crisis?
Ivy Taylor (Senior Voice Product Manager, Amazon Music)
'How Rightsholders Can Be Prepared for the Continued Growth of Voice-Activated Speakers'
Jenni Cochrane (CEO & Co-Founder, Getahead)
'Talking About Mental Health Can Be Fun'
Kim Bayley (CEO, Entertainment Retailers Association)
'Seven Nagging Questions the Music Industry Needs To Answer Right Now'
Mark Douglas (Chief Technology Officer, PPL)
'Making Data Flow in the Music Industry'
Philippe Rixhon (Media and Entertainment Technologist, UCL)
'Internet of Value: The New Music Economy?'
Stuart Dredge (Journalist, Music Ally)
'An Audience With The World's Least Successful AI-Music Pop Star'
Vick Bain (Managing Director, VBain Consulting)
'The Music Industry Still Has a Women Problem'

Case Studies
Anjunabeats - 'Finding New Audiences with Above & Beyond's 'Flow State''
Scruff of the Neck – 'The Road to Best Small Label'

Workshops
Bandcamp
Blackstar London
Deezer
'Distribution Revolution' with Chris Cooke
'Distribution Deep Dive' with AWAL, FUGA and Proper Music
Leaf Grow
PPL