ECMA announces significant changes to membership structure
…existing Music Industry Association members to receive free ECMA memberships
Beginning on July 1, 2017, the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) will offer free memberships to existing members of all five Music Industry Associations (MIAs) in the Atlantic region.
Members of the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative, Musique/Music NB, Music NL, Music Nova Scotia, and Music PEI will be eligible for ECMA memberships at no cost so long as they are in good standing with their respective regional MIA.
"The music industry in Atlantic Canada has always been driven by a need to create real partnerships. The East Coast Music Association is excited to reinforce our commitment to working with the regional Music Industry Associations through this new initiative," says Dean Stairs, Chair of the ECMA Board of Directors. "We believe this type of partnership strengthens our ability to meet our mission statement of enabling East Coast artists to have a career in the music industry while living at home in the Atlantic region."
"Introducing these changes and working closely with the MIAs to roll them out will not only help increase our membership, it will also provide opportunities for our industry as a whole to grow in this region," says Andy McLean, ECMA Executive Director. "Free memberships allow artists and industry professionals to take advantage of our membership perks, to apply for showcases and award consideration at a discounted rate, and to further develop their careers here at home. We are, without a doubt, stronger together."
Music Industry Association members will receive notification from their regional MIA on July 1, 2017 prompting them to register for free ECMA memberships. In order to activate these memberships, members are required to sign up at www.ecma.com and create an online profile through the provided link. ECMA memberships are only deemed active following the creation of this profile. Current ECMA members who have signed up as a MIA member and who have received a discounted membership will be automatically switched to a free membership.
While the ECMA prepares for the incoming changes, discounted memberships available to current MIA members will not be available for purchase in the lead up period.
Artists, industry professionals, companies, nonprofits, and students who do not have a Music Industry Association membership are still welcome to sign up for an ECMA membership at their current rates.
For more information, please contact Chantal Caissie, ECMA Artist and Member Relations Manager at chantal@ecma.com.