(06.11.09) NARM announced the recipients of its industry awards at the Awards Dinner Finale of its 2009 Convention, “NARM Connects … Physical … Digital … Mobile” at the San Diego Marriott on Wednesday, June 10.

The awards included the newly implemented NARM Outstanding Achievement Awards, as well as the inaugural NARM Independent Spirit Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award Celebrating a Lifetime of Musical Collaboration. These are in addition to the NARM Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement, which is given to a musical act; the NARM Presidential Award for Sustained Executive Achievement, which is given to an industry leader; and the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award, given to an artist or industry member for charitable and philanthropic endeavors.

 We congratulate all of this year’s winners:

 NARM Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement
Daryl Hall & John Oates

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NARM President’s Award for Sustained Executive Achievement
Robert “Bob” Higgins, Chairman & CEO of Trans World Entertainment

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Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award
Norman Lear, television producer, writer and philanthropist, and co-founder and owner of Concord Music Group

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NARM Independent Spirit Award
This Award was established to distinguish an industry leader who embodies the spirit of new thinking, entrepreneurship and success in his or her business models, and recognize those who help grow and enhance the business of independent music for both commerce and content providers.

Don VanCleave, Founder and former President of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores

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NARM Outstanding Achievement Award Celebrating a Lifetime of Musical Collaboration
This Award was established to recognize songwriters and musicians who have collaborated to significantly contribute to the heritage and songbook of American music.

Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson

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NARM Outstanding Achievement Awards
The new NARM Outstanding Achievement Awards replace NARM’s previous Merchandiser & Supplier of the Year and Advertising & Marketing Awards to embrace and reflect the changes taking place within the industry. They recognize excellence in industry practices and consist of the following categories:|

NARM Outstanding Achievement Community Award
Given to a NARM member company that demonstrates exceptional support of or participation in charitable, philanthropic or other non-profit organizations.

• Hopeless Records
• Rhino Entertainment

 NARM Outstanding Achievement “Green” Award
Given to a NARM member company for adopting principles, practices and policies that help reduce negative effects on the environment.

• WEA Corp.

NARM Outstanding Achievement Packaging Award
Given to a NARM member company to recognize physical packaging that creatively adds value to the product to induce the consumer to buy.

• Fueled By Ramen for Panic at the Disco’s “Pretty.Odd.” vinyl/CD/DVD deluxe set
• Universal Music Enterprises for its “Motown: The Complete #1′s” box set

NARM Outstanding Achievement Collaboration Award
Recognizes special collaborations among trading partners to promote physical, digital or mobile music to a wider audience of consumers via advertising, marketing, merchandising or other efforts.

• EMI Music Marketing & Best Buy, for its Coldplay marketing initiatives
• Universal Music Group Distribution & Cricket Communications, for its mobile music initiatives

NARM Outstanding Achievement Marketing Award
Recognizes a company for reaching the consumer through the successful execution of a comprehensive campaign that encompasses not only advertising, but also other communication conduits.

• Big Machine, for its campaign supporting the release of the Taylor Swift “Fearless” album
• Earshot, for its Heavy Metal marketing campaign
• J&R Music World, for its New York-citywide ad campaign
• Universal Music Enterprises, for its Motown 50th Anniversary campaign

NARM Outstanding Achievement Business Innovation Award
Given to a company whose creativity or technological developments have resulted in a new approach in connecting the consumer to discovering, accessing, experiencing and purchasing music.

• Atlantic Records, for its Fanbase online music site
• iTunes, for its iTunes Pass initiative for Depeche Mode
• Sony Music Entertainment, for its iPhone artist applications
• Topspin Media, for its direct-to-fan marketing, management and distribution platform.