IN JUNE 2007 THE BRITISH COUNCIL WILL AWARD THE INTERNATIONAL YOUNG MUSIC ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (IYMEY) AWARD FOR THE SECOND TIME.

The Award
The award aims to champion and celebrate the importance of creative entrepreneurs working in the international music sector.

This year the 10 participating countries are Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, and Tanzania.

The competition is run in two stages:

			In Latvia - to choose the national finalist;
			In the UK - to choose the final winner.

The main prize is a financial award (£7,500), which can be used for professional activities linked to the UK and tailored to the winner’s specific needs.

Requirements for applicants

			Age between 25 and 35;
			Resident of Latvia;
			Fluency in English;
			Working in the music sector (record companies, A&R, producing, recording, engineering, licensing, distribution, broadcasting, journalism, publishing, retail, festival programming, artists management, music marketing and public relations etc.);
			Entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

We recognise that a participant may be active as a musician as well as being an entrepreneur. However, musical talent/output will not be factored into the judging procedure – finalists will be judged solely on the merit of their entrepreneurial abilities in the music business.

Selection process
In Latvia
The British Council Latvia received 13 applications for the Award and 5 of the candidates were shortlisted and invited for an interview. They were Aivars Aprikis (Rhythm Institute), Renate Auzina (Sound Forest), Toms Grevins (Radio SWH), Daina Zalane (Culture Management Centre Lauska) and Guna Zucika (Brainstorm).
After the interviews the judging panel consisting of six Latvian music industry experts and a British Council representative decided that Guna Zucika will be the finalist from Latvia.

In the UK
In June 2007 the ten finalists from all participating countries will travel to the UK. Their programme will include:

			Presentation to the IYMEY judging panel;
			Glastonbury Festival;
			London Calling trade exhibition;
			Showcasing event where each finalist will promote their national music scene;
			Visits and meetings tailored to the finalist’s specific interests;
			IYMEY award ceremony.

More information
For more information please contact:
Edgars Kalnins
Customer Services and Marketing Manager
British Council Latvia
T 7504108
edgars.kalnins@britishcouncil.lv