A2IM Names Ian Harrison As CEO
• A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music), announced that Ian Harrison has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective this Wednesday, Oct. 1. Harrison will succeed Dr. Richard James Burgess, who will step down at the end of this year following a decade of impactful advocacy for the independent music industry.
Harrison brings more than 20 years of leadership in the independent music sector, most recently as EVP of Hopeless Records. Over two decades, he helped transform the label from a small independent into a globally recognized powerhouse, building teams and guiding campaigns for more than 300 releases, selling over 15 million copies and earning over 20 gold and platinum certifications, and securing #1 records in both the U.S. and the U.K. His work as part of the Hopeless Foundation (Sub City) has raised over $3.5 million for a variety of music and mental health charities.
Harrison has also been actively involved with A2IM since 2012 as an Indie Week committee member, five-time speaker, and mentor. He also serves on the Worldwide Independent Network’s board and has previously held a board seat with the Music Business Association.
“I am grateful to the A2IM Board for their trust as I step into the CEO role at such a pivotal moment,” Harrison said. “I take on this responsibility with a deep commitment to serving our community. I am especially grateful to Dr. Richard James Burgess for a decade of exceptional leadership that established A2IM as a vital voice in our industry, and to Lisa Hresko and the entire A2IM team whose dedication makes our work so impactful. This includes remembering our colleague Alex Machurov, whose contributions and spirit will remain part of A2IM’s legacy. I also want to thank Louis Posen and my colleagues at Hopeless Records, where I spent the past two decades, for shaping me as a leader and deepening my commitment to this community.”
Harrison added, “Independent music has been my life’s work, and I’m excited to serve in this new capacity. I look forward to working closely with our members, the global trade organization community, commercial partners, and policymakers to ensure independent voices remain at the center of the music industry’s future.”
Dr. Burgess remarked, “I am honored to have served this extraordinary community for the past decade, and I could not be more pleased to welcome Ian Harrison as A2IM’s next CEO. Ian’s deep experience, and lifelong commitment to independent music position him perfectly to guide A2IM into its next chapter. I look forward to supporting a seamless transition and to watching him take the organization, and the indie community it represents, to new heights.” [Photo Credit: Jordan Kelsey Knight]
