It’s estimated that the dance music business generates approximately $4bn profits every year. Not surprising, then, that a new lobby group has been established to protect the industry’s financial interests. 

As Music Week report, the Association For Electronic Music (AFEM) has been convened with the express aim of safeguarding the interests of the electronic music industry. The not-for-profit advocacy group, unveiled at the Midem music conference in France, promises to unite DJs, promoters, managers, publishers, broadcasters, agents and retailers.

AFEM has been convened by Richie Hawtin’s manager Ben Turner and music industry lawyer Kurosh Nasseri. Chic legend (and rogue Daft Punk spokesman) Nile Rodgers will serve as principal ambassador for the body. Among those already signed up to the organisation: Beatport CEO Matthew Adell, LiveNation’s electronic music president James Barton, and representatives of Sony, Virgin, Atlantic and Ultra.

Nasseri has talked up the significance of the body:

“This is an historic day, the launch of the first international trade body representing a single genre since the Country Music Association began in 1958. Our motivation is wholly positive – to ensure electronic music gets the recognition and status it deserves. It is time for the many companies and individuals involved in our business to speak with a unified voice to represent the genre and to address the issues. And that is the mission of the Association for Electronic Music.”