Outgoing A2IM CEO Richard James Burgess, who’s set to step down at 2026’s beginning. Photo Credit: Dan Bassini
The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has officially begun searching for a new CEO.
20-year-old A2IM just recently reached out with word of the hiring-process kickoff, after president and CEO Richard Burgess last June announced plans to step down. At the time, Burgess, who’s led the organization for about a decade, said he’d officially exit at 2026’s beginning.
And as we’re already closing in on 2025’s second month, A2IM is getting the ball rolling in its pursuit of “a dynamic, visionary leader” to take Burgess’ place.
This individual, the entity noted, will “set strategy for and lead the core services for both the 501(c)(6) membership trade organization and the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.”
Not stopping there, A2IM, which has north of 750 member companies in the States, rattled off several “key qualities and experiences” that the incoming CEO should possess.
In passing, those qualities pertain but aren’t confined to “effective programming,” acting as “a leading expert on copyright” and more, and spearheading worthwhile partnerships with different industry orgs.
“Of utmost importance,” A2IM added, “the CEO creates and realizes a vision that ensures a viable ecosystem for independent recorded music labels to navigate and thrive in an ever-changing legal, commercial, and technological landscape.”
Among other things, said landscape includes a quick-evolving AI space, continued compensation changes (on both the recording and compositional sides) at prominent streaming services, and aggressive consolidation efforts from the majors.
Bringing the focus back to the actual CEO search, A2IM has tapped EnterGain, which bills itself as a “business and talent advisory firm dedicated to creating enterprise growth,” to handle the hiring process.
Candidates, EnterGain and A2IM added, should reach out by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. And as a preliminary qualifier of sorts, applicants “are encouraged” to include “A2IM CEO” in the subject, per A2IM, which last month confirmed Warp Records marketing exec Steven Hill as its 2024-25 board chair.
“As I prepare to step down as President and CEO of A2IM,” Burgess added in part, “I am deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together. The future of independent music is bright, and it’s vital that we find a new leader who will continue to build on our strong foundation, fostering growth, advocacy, and innovation within our community.”