Interview with Jim Donio, President of NARM
By: Dennis M. Kelly
April 17th, 2009
Jim Donio Biography
Jim Donio is the President of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM). As the leading trade association for music retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers, and individuals involved in the business, NARM advances the promotion, marketing, distribution, and sale of music by providing its members with a forum for diverse meeting and networking opportunities, information, and education to support their businesses, as well as advocating for their common interests. Donio has been with NARM since 1988, when he joined the organization as Director of Creative Services, focusing primarily on editing a monthly newsletter, as well as creating a series of promotional and informational publications and materials. In 1991, Donio added PR and marketing functions to his NARM resume, and was promoted to the position of Communications Director. In 1995, he took on oversight of NARM's conventions and conferences as Vice President of Communications & Events. In 2000, he was elevated to Executive Vice President, adding most of the organization's day-to-day administrative and operational responsibilities to his job description. Donio was was named President in 2004. Prior to joining NARM, Donio held a variety of editorial, PR and event-related positions for the Association of Information Systems Professionals (AISP), an international individual membership organization focused on the needs of office systems professionals. Donio earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Temple University in Philadelphia. He has been active in Philadelphia-area TV and cultural events, winning a local Emmy Award in 1986 for “Outstanding Cultural Programming.”
What is NARM?
The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) is a not-for-profit trade association that since 1958 has served the music and entertainment content delivery community in a variety of areas including networking, advocacy, information, education and promotion.
Our general members consists of music wholesalers and retailers, including brick-and-mortar, online and mobile music delivery companies. Our associate members consist of distributors, record labels, multimedia suppliers, technology companies, and suppliers of related products and services. Individual professionals and educators in the field of music are also members.
In today's evolving marketplace, we are welcoming new members that represent the technology and services that are shaping the future of the industry. Our newest members represent mobile and telecom companies, along with new content providers and digital companies who all contribute to our growing community of members.
Our retail members operate thousands of physical, digital and mobile storefronts that account for an estimated 90% of the music sold in the $8 billion U.S. music market.
For more information, please visit www.narm.com
Related Links
Interview with Thomas Dolby at NARM Convention - 2007Interview with Terisa Griffin at NARM Convention - 05/01/07
Interview with Jim Donio - 01/28/10