Kees van Weijen has been working in the Entertainment Industry in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Great Britain since 1974.
He acquired experience in every detail of the entertainment industry and the music business in particular. He is a self-made man, a team player with managerial talents. Kees has built up a substantial international network in the field. Enjoys working with people and bearing responsibility for content specific processes where the artists are number 1.
During the span of his career Kees has worked for Universal Music as Executive Vice president, Managing director of Mercury records, MCA and Polydor, Rough Trade Distribution, with artists such as INXS, Kiss, Elton John, Dire Straits, LIVE, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, No Doubt, U2, Lionel Ritchie, Andrea Bocelli, Caro Emerald, Tiesto, Jimmy Lidel, Armin van Buuren, The Editors and many others.
He is currently running HIT4US as managing director, Dutch IFPI awarded him in 2011 with the “Zilveren Fonograaf “ for outstanding contribution in the music industry. President of STOMP, Stichting Onafhankelijke Muziek Producenten in the Netherlands. Executive of the Dutch Pop Coalition Export. Kees was elected Chairman of the IMPALA board and after 4 years at the helm in 2017 President of IMPALA. Kees is board member of WIN World Wide Independent Network.
Impala’s mission
IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector, return more value to artists, promote cultural diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access and modernise perceptions of the music sector.
Growing the independent sector
Promoting growth is about maximising all commercial opportunities, delivering a proper regulatory framework, with improved market access, real finance, and a level playing field in all areas from access to media, to collecting societies through to online.
Returning more value to artists
Removing all barriers to licensing of online and other services is vital, yet certain operators try to hide behind copyright exceptions or “safe harbour” rules. This effectively transfers value away from creators. Closing this “value gap” is important to the independent sector as it particularly distorts licensing efforts by smaller players. Returning value also means full transparency, proper reporting and revenue sharing.
Promoting cultural diversity and entrepreneurship
Independent music is an excellent example of Europe’s cultural diversity. By discovering and releasing the most innovative artists, independent labels play a key role in the evolution of the cultural landscape. The economic and regulatory environment must actively foster cultural entrepreneurship and economic diversity.
Improving political access
Smaller businesses need to work together to match the influence of larger companies. IMPALA provides an active single voice for the independent sector.
Modernising perceptions
By explaining how the music sector works, by broadening the agenda and offering new solutions, IMPALA aims to promote independent music, inspire decision makers to fulfil new promises to cultural SMEs, and open doors to investment.
Find out more about IMPALA’s achievements under milestones.
