Reeperbahn 2025: IDOL Joins the Debate on Global Market Consolidation
On Thursday, September 18th, at 10:30am CET, IDOL’s President Pascal Bittard will take the stage alongside Ruth Barlow, Director of Live Licensing at Beggars Group and Chair of AIM, and Helen Smith, IMPALA’s Executive Chair, for a timely session titled “How Will Independents Shine In The Future?.”
This unmoderated, conversational format promises a candid exchange between three long-time advocates of the independent sector, examining the consequences of unchecked acquisition strategies — from UMG’s aggressive deal-making to the broader impact of industry consolidation on competition and diversity.
The Stakes for Market Diversity
The concern is all the more acute given that the European Commission is preparing to examine UMG’s acquisition of Downtown Music, a move welcomed by IMPALA, which calls for increased scrutiny by competition authorities to preserve market plurality. IMPALA has spoken out in recent months, warning about the need to guarantee independent routes to market, as the proliferation of buyouts – including rapidly expanding independent players – risks limiting the diversity of supply and strengthening the dominant position of certain groups.
Aside from major labels, the question arises whether independents who themselves adopt aggressive acquisition strategies should be subject to the same level of vigilance in order to avoid excessive concentration and preserve a dynamic and equitable ecosystem. Several voices, including that of Ruth Barlow, insist on the urgency of coordinated regulatory action at European level, stressing that the survival and vitality of the independent sector depend on healthy competition and the diversity of players.
With this context in mind, the Reeperbahn panel promises to be essential for understanding how independence can not only resist, but thrive in a consolidating industry while exploring the collective and regulatory responses necessary to guarantee the future of the sector
Join us at Reeperbahn Festival, September 18th, 10:30am CET at the East Hotel / Cinema 2. More info