CIMA Announces 2023 Make It Music Awards Winners
CIMA Announces 2023 MAKE IT MUSIC AWARDS Winners
"We are proud to celebrate this inaugural slate of Make It Music honourees, each of whom uniquely creates a stronger, richer, and more vibrant Canadian music industry in their work and communities,” says Andrew Cash, President and CEO of the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA). “These recognitions are deeply deserved, and we are humbled to honour our peers as part of this first Make It Music Summit.”
These awards cap off the 2-day Summit of highly curated content and speakers, designed to engage, rattle, and inspire music industry professionals, regardless of discipline or career stage.
The full schedule is available here.
▪ STRONGER: Amanda Rheaume & ShoShona Kish (Ishkōdé Records)
(Formerly the Brian Chater Leadership Award)
▪ FEARLESS: Laura Simpson & Dan Mangan (Side Door) - Presented by Gowling WLG
(Formerly the Entrepreneur Award)
▪ CHAMPION: Farley Flex Nwaigbo (Plasma Management & Productions Inc.)
(Formerly the Unsung Hero Award)
▪ BOLD: Monstercat & WHIPPED CREAM for “SOMEONE YOU CAN COUNT ON”
(Formerly the Marketing Award)
▪ CHANGE: Jake Gold (The Management Trust)
(Formerly the Builder Award)
▪ QUEEN OF FUCKING EVERYTHING: Pegi Cecconi (SRO Management)
(An extension of the Builder Award)
CIMA’s Make It Music Summit would not be possible without the generous support of our partners at the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), the Government of Canada (through the Canada Music Fund), Ontario Creates, MERLIN, theRadio Starmaker Fund, Stingray Music, The Orchard, CMRRA, Monstercat, Gowling WLG, PAA, CD Baby, and Canadian Musician
ABOUT EACH AWARD CATEGORY:
Inspired by our former president, CIMA’s STRONGER Award (formerly The Brian Chater Leadership Award) celebrates anyone in the independent music industry, whose passionate and innovative approach has redefined best practices over the years. These true leaders have set the tone for vibrant and sustainable models across any area of the independent music industry in Canada – they are the builders, founders, and visionaries whose work in the trenches paves the way for businesses and creatives.
Make It Music 2023 Awards: FEARLESS
CIMA’s FEARLESS Award (Formerly the Entrepreneur Award) celebrates fearless trendsetters who spearhead and drive successful businesses, emerging or established, with an ethical approach and a true indie spirit. CIMA’s FEARLESS Award is given to those who combine a passion for music with business savvy to turn their visions into a reality. FEARLESS are the owners, risk-takers and shape-shifters who lead the way into the next era of the music industry.
Make It Music 2023 Awards: CHAMPION
CIMA’s CHAMPION Award (formerly Unsung Hero Award) recognizes an unwavering commitment to Canada’s independent music industry. This award is designed to recognize any individual, group, or organisation that may not necessarily be on the industry’s ‘awards radar’ but have made exceptional contributions to our sector’s growth and success.
Make It Music 2023 Awards: BOLD
Innovation knows no bounds in the digital era, and creative approaches to promotional campaigns, be they viral, experiential or lifestyle-focused, make for an exciting landscape in which to launch new projects.
Whether for music releases, tour announcements, fan engagement initiatives, cutting-edge activations or anything in between, Canada's independent community knows how to turn heads and command attention for its artists, whether budgets and teams are large or small.
CIMA’s BOLD (formerly the Marketing Award) acknowledges the marketing power, creativity and inventive fire of our indies.
Make It Music 2023 Awards: CHANGE & QUEEN OF FUCKING EVERYTHING
CIMA’s CHANGE Award (formerly the Builder/Founders Award) celebrates the leadership of individuals who have served on CIMA’s Board of Directors over the organization’s 48 years of supporting Canada’s independent music sector. To be on the Board is to think of the Big Picture, to assess and anticipate the needs, challenges, and opportunities of an entire sector and its countless branches, and to advocate to make it better for all. Change can be slow to affect, and the dedication it takes to serve on a Board deserves recognition. From countless volunteer hours, to a complex learning curve, to putting the health of your sector before your personal interests, we could not support our members without the hard work, tenacity, loyalty, and belief in a greater good demonstrated by these individuals over the years!