Associação Brasileira Da Música Independente

What Associação Brasileira Da Música Independente does

ABMI (Associação Brasileira da Música Independente) is a non-profit civil association founded in 2002 and headquartered on Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, Brazil. It operates as the collective representative body for independent record labels, music publishers, and independent artists in the Brazilian phonographic market. Its core membership is composed of mid-market independent labels and publishers (e.g., Biscoito Fino, Tratore, AudioLink Brasil, Zenitha Música, Mills Records), and the association derives its revenue from recurring membership fees paid by these legal entities.

ABMI's product portfolio is structured as member benefits across five pillars: rights management, training, articulation, certification, and diffusion. Operationally, this includes a licensing center (Central de Licenciamento) integrated with CulturaXChange and a convention with UBEM, an audiovisual synchronization service through SICAV, weekly public execution reports via Crowley Broadcast (now Kantar), and a digital content protection platform that allows members to verify where their music is being accessed. Its flagship owned asset is the "Play de Ouro" certification, launched in December 2022 as the first Brazilian certification for independent artists based on streaming performance. Training is delivered through the "Giro ABMI Digital" webinar/workshop series (YouTube), while market access and international visibility are supported through the "Brazil Music Market" (BMK) project and curated playlists (Women of BR, BR SOUNDS) on Spotify and Deezer.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-anchored. ABMI acquires and retains members through industry events (SIM São Paulo, Rio2C, Latin Grammy, MIL, WinCon), digital content, the Play de Ouro program, and direct outreach via WhatsApp and email. Internationally, ABMI represents Brazil in the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) and maintains a partnership with Merlin for digital rights, providing members global licensing reach. The association also engages in public policy advocacy, holding a seat on Brazil's CNIC (Comissão Nacional de Incentivo à Cultura) and supporting regulatory developments such as Decreto nº 12.916 (Política Nacional das Artes, March 2026) and the European Copyright Directive.

Name

Associação Brasileira Da Música Independente

Legal name

Associação Brasileira da Música Independente

Website

https://abmi.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ABMI is a São Paulo-based non-profit association founded in 2002 that represents Brazil's independent record labels, publishers, and artists, delivering licensing services, the Play de Ouro certification, training programs, and international advocacy through WIN and Merlin partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Industry Association Services

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (711410), Music Publishers (512230)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) & Public Performance Licensing (MPAIAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Micro-Licensing & Direct Licensing Platforms (UGC, SMB venues, online uses) (MPAIAKAJ), Performance Rights Administration (PRO Affiliation, Cue Sheet/Setlist Processing) (MPAIABAE)

Keywords

• Independent music association
• Music rights management
• Music industry advocacy
• Music licensing services
• Artist certification

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: ABMI is a nonprofit association that generates revenue through membership fees paid by independent record labels, publishers, and music-related legal entities in Brazil.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ABMI is a non-profit industry association that supports Brazilian independent music producers, record labels, publishers, and artists through collective rights management, music licensing coordination, professional training, market research, public policy advocacy, and the Play de Ouro independent artist certification. Operations are organized around five pillars: rights management, training, articulation, certification, and diffusion of independent music.

Product overview

ABMI is a non-profit association serving as the collective voice for independent music producers in Brazil. The organization offers a portfolio of member benefits including a licensing center with CulturaXChange integration, audiovisual synchronization opportunities through SICAV, public execution monitoring via Crowley Broadcast, a digital content protection platform, market research services, professional training and qualification programs, public policy advocacy, curated music playlists (Women of BR, BR SOUNDS), international promotion through WIN and Merlin partnerships, and the Play de Ouro certification program for independent artists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Play de Ouro: The first Brazilian certification for independent artists, conferred upon albums and singles released on audio and video streaming platforms.
• Giro ABMI Digital
• Brazil Music Market (BMK)

Products and services

• Central de Licenciamento (Licensing Center) Licensing center enabling ABMI members to authorize legal use of musical works through partnerships with CulturaXChange, UBEM, and associated publishers.
• Sincronização em Audiovisual (Audiovisual Synchronization) Provides members with exclusive opportunities for placement of independent repertoire in films, series, documentaries, and marketing campaigns, through partnership with SICAV (Sindicato Interestadual da Indústria Audiovisual).
• Monitoramento de Execução Pública (Public Execution Monitoring) Provides members with weekly reports from Crowley Broadcast on the most played music on Brazilian radios, supporting airplay tracking and royalty collection.
• Plataforma de Proteção de Conteúdo Digital (Digital Content Protection Platform) Platform allowing members to verify where their music is being accessed and whether such access is legal or not, supporting anti-piracy and rights enforcement.
• Pesquisa de Mercado (Market Research) Market research services providing data and insights on the Brazilian independent music sector, including the sector mapping study developed with Chartmetric and LV Pesquisa.
• Formação e Qualificação (Training and Qualification) Professional development and training events with discounts on major Music Business courses in the market, including the Giro Digital workshop series.
• Playlists ABMI (ABMI Playlists) Curated playlists promoting diversity of Brazilian musical genres, including Women of BR, BR SOUNDS, and other themed collections available on Spotify, Deezer, and other streaming platforms.
• WIN – Worldwide Independent Network Membership Access International organization connecting independent record label associations worldwide, providing global network access, best practices sharing, and international advocacy for ABMI members.
• Merlin – Direitos Digitais (Digital Rights Agency Access) Digital rights defense agency for independent labels sector, fighting for open and equal access to new revenue sources and providing members access to Merlin's global digital licensing network.
• Play de Ouro Certification First Brazilian certification for independent artists, conferred on albums and singles released on audio and video streaming platforms based on streaming performance metrics.
• Giro ABMI Digital Digital training project offering workshops and webinars on digital rights, marketing, aggregators, and digital platforms for music professionals, published on YouTube as the Giro Digital series.
• Brazil Music Market (BMK) Project focused on strengthening the presence of independent labels and artists at major music industry conventions and markets, including SIM São Paulo, Rio2C, Latin Grammy, MIL, and WinCon.
• ABMI – Brasil Calling Program supporting international outreach and promotion of Brazilian independent music, leveraging partnerships with Apex Brasil, Itamaraty, and BM&A.

Quantifiable outcome

• 53.5% of Spotify TOP 200 artists are independent
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Apex Brasil and BM&A (Brasil Música e Artes)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 March 2026Partnership for the Women of BR playlist initiative, promoting Brazilian female artists internationally. Supported by Itamaraty and Brazilian embassies worldwide, with Apex Brasil providing international promotion funding.
• WIN (Worldwide Independent Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIN is a global organization that brings together independent record label associations worldwide. ABMI represents Brazil in WIN, gaining access to international networking, best practices sharing, and global advocacy for independent music interests. ABMI's president Carlos Mills served on WIN's board.
• Merlin (Digital Rights Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerlin is a global digital rights agency representing independent labels and distributors. ABMI maintains a partnership providing members access to Merlin's licensing services for digital platforms worldwide. Merlin also sponsors ABMI projects like Giro Digital.
• UBEM (União Brasileira de Editoras de Música)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABMI maintains a convention with UBEM for music publishing licensing. The partnership was renewed in 2022 with new incentives for professional development and diversity initiatives.
• CulturaXChangeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensing platform partnership providing ABMI members with expedited licensing requests and better conditions through the association's licensing center.
• SEBRAE/RJcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with SEBRAE/RJ for the Rio Music Market event, supporting the development of independent music business networking and professional development.
• Itamaraty (Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for international circulation of Brazilian music, leveraging Brazilian embassies and consulates worldwide for the Women of BR playlist promotion campaign.

Scale indicators5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association): European trade body representing thousands of independent music companies across the EU. IMPALA operates the same model as ABMI at greater scale, coordinating collective licensing, advocacy, and member benefits for European independent labels and is a sister association within the WIN network.
• A2IM (American Association of Independent Music): A US-based non-profit trade association representing independent record labels and music companies. A2IM is the most direct functional peer to ABMI, performing analogous membership, advocacy, certification, and international networking roles for the American independent music sector.
• AIR (Association of Independent Record Companies): Australian non-profit industry association representing independent record labels, providing advocacy, market data, and professional development. AIR is a direct international counterpart of ABMI, performing the same functions for Australian independents and co-operating within the WIN network.
• CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association): Canadian non-profit trade association for independent music businesses, offering advocacy, education, networking, and market access support. CIMA mirrors ABMI's role for the Canadian market and is a fellow WIN-affiliated association.

Broad incumbents

• Merlin (Digital Rights Agency): Global digital rights agency representing independent labels and distributors, including ABMI members, in licensing negotiations with streaming platforms. Merlin is a partner of ABMI but also a structural counterpart providing rights and royalty services that ABMI itself does not directly operate.
• BPI (British Phonographic Industry): UK trade body for record labels and the recorded music industry, including both major and independent members. BPI is broader in scope than ABMI but performs comparable advocacy, market data, and certification functions (e.g., BRIT Awards, Platinum/Gold/Silver certifications) at UK level.
• WIN (Worldwide Independent Network): Global umbrella organization connecting national independent music associations of which ABMI is a member. WIN operates at a broader level, setting global advocacy positions and convening trade events; ABMI participates through Carlos Mills and Felippe Llerena's board service.
• IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry): Global trade body representing the recording industry worldwide. While IFPI includes major label members rather than independent-only, it is the parent-like umbrella of which ABMI engages indirectly via ECAD membership and through advocacy on issues such as the European Copyright Directive.

Regional players

• ProMusica (Chile) / IFPI Chile: Chilean phonographic industry association representing record producers in Chile. Comparable to ABMI in scope and function, operating in a neighboring Latin American market and co-participating in joint initiatives such as the JusticIA coalition with ABMI, CAPIF and APECHPY.
• CAPIF (Cámara Argentina de Productores Fonográficos): Argentine phonographic producers' chamber, analogous to Brazil's IFPI-aligned body, representing record labels and producers in Argentina. CAPIF is a regional peer operating in a neighboring market, often collaborating with ABMI through the JusticIA coalition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/abmi_
• Facebookfacebook.com/ABMIoficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abmi

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Associação Brasileira Da Música Independente