Having delivered a successful programme of online conferences and events for nearly a year since the Covid-19 pandemic started, AIM will oversee the first virtual edition of the British Council’s Selector PRO programme, alongside our Latin American partners Biche, Fundación Nuevas Bandas and Niceto Club, connecting independent music sector professionals from the UK and Latin America for cultural exchange and business collaboration.

Taking place over two days on 24 and 25 February 2021, delegates and expert speakers will join the online event from the UK, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela, with all tickets available free of charge.

Alongside a programme of publicly available discussions, panels and showcasing artists, a cohort of 45 professionals will be selected to take part in focussed insight and networking sessions, laying the foundations for new international working relationships.

Panel topics for this year’s event include: livestreaming, maximising income from music online, creative strategies and digital marketing hacks, climate change, international collaboration between the UK and Latin America, and how music can lead to social change.

A number of speakers from the UK and each of the three Latin America countries are already confirmed, representing companies including: AIM, Árbol Naranja / Discos de la Piña, AWAL, Beggars Group, Believe LATAM, Biche, CTRL Music, Good Energy PR / Black Music Coalition, IE Music, Julie’s Bicycle, Media Factory, Ninja Tune and Orion Music Hub.

The Association of Independent Music (AIM) will deliver Selector PRO as lead partner. The British Council has been producing Selector PRO with partners in Latin America since 2018. Delivering editions in Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela, the programme has focused on supporting young professionals in the region’s burgeoning independent sector, enabling them to develop their skills and knowledge. Insight from both local and UK contributors has helped to strengthen understanding while building aspirations to work and connect internationally.

Selector PRO’s objectives are to:

• create and strengthen connections between independent music sector professionals in the UK and other parts of the world that can lead to relationships of mutual benefit
• support the building of skills and knowledge that enable professionals in participating countries to develop their careers and work internationally
• enable professionals from participating countries to discuss and respond to the challenges and opportunities affecting the independent music sector globally.

Tickets to the public programme are available now for free from http://www.selector-pro.com

Paul Pacifico, CEO, AIM said: "It's a pleasure to partner with British Council to deliver this year's Selector PRO alongside our Latin American partners. AIM has developed demonstrable expertise in delivering engaging content and conferences online over the last year, so we are able to provide valuable experience in bringing the second virtual Selector PRO to life, and to help connect the expert music entrepreneurs in our Membership with their counterparts in Latin America. Independent music entrepreneurs are always looking to find the next avenue for innovation and evolution, and these international events enable cross-cultural collaboration and opportunities to learn and do things differently."

Cathy Graham, Director, Music at the British Council said: "We're delighted about the next phase in our Selector PRO programme in Latin America. Over the past few years we have brokered relationships, working with local partners and UK specialists in the music sector like AIM to provide training and insight. But in the face of the current pandemic, we have needed to find new ways of working. Although nothing can take away from the value of face-to-face connections, this digital edition will enable more professionals from Latin America and the UK to take part, learn about new markets, discuss contemporary issues, and network. These are challenging times for the independent music sector, but opportunities like Selector PRO will help foster new relationships of trust and understanding that will be of enormous benefit to the sector and individuals in the future."