The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has published a series of reports in recent years putting the music industry under the microscope. Its latest focuses on the leadership ranks of labels, publishers, independent music firms and distributors.
The conclusion of the study, which was sponsored by Believe and TuneCore? “Music executives are still primarily white and male,” is the title of the news announcement summarising its findings.
13.2% of CEOs and presidents at the largest 37 companies are women, while 7.9% are people from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, and just 5.3% are women of colour. 84.2% are white men.
When the analysis was extended to ‘c-suite’ executives, women accounted for 33.3% of the roles; people of colour 16.7%; and women of colour 10.3%. 60.3% are white men.
“In recent years, our work has shown that women and people of colour are increasing their presence on the popular charts as artists. but this progress is not matched by the executive ranks that are responsible for the business of music,” said Stacy L. Smith, who led the study.
“It is clear that there are still real discrepancies in who gets to lead… The top of the executive ranks – whether at major companies or independents – does not reflect the music makers on the popular charts nor the audience that these businesses serve.”
Smith and her co-authors are also taking a stand against the shifting winds of US politics relating to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. The new Trump administration has been energetically trying to stamp them out.
“Though the climate is one that does not favour so-called ‘DEI programs,’ the reality is that when organisations are not reflective of the groups that they rely on for business, they are missing talent that can make them more competitive, nimble, and responsive,” said Smith. You can read the full study here.
