Music Finland granted this year’s Finnish Music Export Award for PME Records, the record label that started Alma’s international career. 

The Finnish Music Export Award was awarded to PME Records (Pinnacle Helsinki Oy), for the determination and devotion in opening markets and opportunities for Alma. The award was handed by Minister Mika Lintilä (Ministry of Employment and the Economy) in Helsinki today.

The Finnish Music Export Award, established by Music Finland in 2015, is a recognition given to a Finnish music company that has successfully developed and expanded its international operations and has shown pioneering spirit in exporting Finnish music. The intent behind this award is to create attention to the important work done by music export companies, and also promote these active and growing enterprises. The award was initiated by Music Finland, who also gathered the jury together. The award winner receives their own signboard on the outer wall of the famed rock club Tavastia in Helsinki. 

The award-winning company, PME Records, have just one export artist, but her international career has started exceptionally fast. 21-year-old Alma (Alma-Sofia Miettinen) first appeared in the Finnish version of Pop Idol in 2013, and released her debut single "Karma" in August 2015. From that first song began a success story unseen before in the history of Finnish music: Alma’s solo singles "Karma", "Dye My Hair", "Chasing Highs" and "Phases" have been streamed over 150 million times just in Spotify. In addition, Felix Jaehn’s, "Bonfire" co-written and sung by Alma, has gathered over 100 million streams on Spotify.

A credible international team for Alma

PME Records has found credible international partners for Alma in a relatively short time. Alma’s music is released worldwide by Universal Music and her songs are published by world’s largest music publisher Sony / ATV. In addition, Alma has management and agency deals with top international companies.

PME Records was started by Jare Brand, Ville-Petteri Galle, Antti Kosonen and Andrei Kipahti (the latter two are pictured) in 2013. Besides Alma, the company is also home to artists like Reino Nordin, Tippa-T, Töölön ketterä, Elias Gould, Gracias and JVG. In addition to record company duties, PME Records’ services include music publishing.

The jury selected the winner by the following arguments, among others:

“The company has their own, bold policies that have brought success in Finland and internationally. The company also enjoys a wide appreciation among industry professionals.”

The jury considers Alma’s success an example for the Finnish music industry:

“Alma is the brightest example in recent years of how determined work and the pursuit for an international career can create great results. Alma’s courage and the right ambition are a good example for young Finnish artists and musicians to set the aim high.”

The jury consisted of Kimmo Aulake (Ministry of Education and Culture), Tomi Korhonen (Tekes), Risto Kuulasmaa (Tubecon), Laura Liski (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment), Mirva Merimaa (Tiketti), Toni Peiju (Till Dawn They Count Management Ltd Oy), Aino Turtiainen-Visala (Fazer Konserttitoimisto), Tuomo Tähtinen (Music Finland) and Ville Vilen (Yleisradio).

Last year’s Finnish Music Export Award was given to Till Dawn They Count Management Ltd Oy, whose representative Toni Peiju was in this year’s jury.

Click below to view photos of the award gala.