The Australian Independent Record Labels Association is relocating its Brisbane headquarters of three years to Melbourne, effective Sept. 3.
“It’s a strategic decision by the board to be where the indie power brokers are,” AIR chief executive officer Stuart Watters tells Billboard.biz. “Melbourne has a number of bourgeoning indie businesses who are clearly going to be major players down the track, so it makes sense.”
Watters and chart manager Dominic Fagan will move south with the association.
Label services manager Stephen Foster and communications manager Raynee Dewar remain in Brisbane as consultants.
AIR represents the interests of 350 Australian labels and 5,000 domestic acts.
It has renewed its partnership with V Energy drinks manufacturer for its Australian Independent Music Chart, while the AIR awards return this year.
AIR is also producing the Australian Independent Label Summit, held Oct. 3-5 in Brisbane in conjunction with the Big Sound Industry Summit and Artist Showcase.
