BOSS, in partnership with the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants (AIMM), has launched Independent Music Store Month, a nationwide October campaign designed to drive musicians into local music stores and support independent retailers.
Taking place throughout October at 144 participating AIMM independent music stores nationwide, the campaign combines special in-store opportunities, national digital marketing, retail point-of-purchase materials and a consumer sweepstakes under the message Local Gear. Real Experts. All October Long.
Dave Dickerson, Roland’s vice president of independent sales in the U.S., said independent music stores play an important role in helping musicians discover the right instruments, sounds and tools. He said BOSS and Roland continually look for meaningful ways to support independent music retail and value the expertise, relationships and community represented by AIMM dealers. Independent Music Store Month celebrates those qualities while giving musicians another reason to visit stores.
More Reasons to Shop Local
Working with AIMM and participating dealers, BOSS developed a month-long program intended to create excitement nationally and inside individual stores. Specific offers vary by retailer, but BOSS said it worked with the group to make some of the lowest prices of the year available on select products during October.
Participating stores are receiving BOSS and Roland point-of-purchase and marketing materials, including Independent Music Store Month signage, sweepstakes posters, product hang tags, consumer scratchers and ready-to-use social, email, web, display and digital advertising assets. The program is intended to give independent retailers tools to make the national campaign their own online, in stores and within their local music communities.
Adam Levin, general manager of Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center, said national support for independent dealers means a great deal to retailers and to musicians who value shopping at unique local stores. He said the program demonstrates BOSS and Roland’s belief in the independent retail channel.
Scratch, Enter and Win
Customers can pick up a free sweepstakes scratcher at participating independent music retailers and use the revealed entry code at LocalMusicShop.com/boss for a chance to win one of two national prize packages. No purchase is necessary.
The BOSS Ultimate Stage Package, valued at $3,070, includes a Katana Artist Head Gen 3 and Katana Cabinet 212 Waza, along with BOSS effects, performance tools, a pedalboard, cables and accessories.
The Roland Electronic Artist Kit, valued at $3,970, includes a TR-1000 Rhythm Creator, JU-06A Sound Module, K-25m Keyboard Unit, VT-4 Voice Transformer and EX-4 Expression Pedal. Full eligibility requirements, an alternate method of entry, prize details and official rules are available through the campaign website.
Celebrating the People Behind the Counter
Independent stores allow customers to hear, play and compare gear and to get advice from people who are part of the music community. Through its AIMM partnership, BOSS hopes to establish October as an annual celebration of those stores and create new reasons for musicians to visit them.
AIMM partner Tom Triozzi said the alliance relies on vendor partners that share its commitment to supporting musicians. He said the campaign gives AIMM stores tools and national reach to drive foot traffic, engage local players and demonstrate the value of shopping locally.
Campaign details and the participating-retailer lookup are available at LocalMusicShop.com.
For more information about BOSS, visit BOSS.info.
For more information, visit boss.info.
