associations
Michele Ballantyne COO, RIAA
Steering policy and legislation, Ballantyne advocates on behalf of labels and the recorded-music industry at large. Her most meaningful moment in 2021? Leading a virtual discussion at the National Museum of African American Music in March, which featured Andra Day and Congressional Black Caucus chair Joyce Beatty, tackling the topics of Billie Holiday, music and race. “RIAA works every day to help artists like Andra and policymakers like Joyce connect and understand each other,” says Ballantyne, 55. “It all came together in the most powerful way that day.”
Valeisha Butterfield Jones CO-PRESIDENT, RECORDING ACADEMY
The Recording Academy unveiled a series of newsmaking measures in 2021. It announced an end to its controversial nomination review committees in April, named Butterfield Jones and Panos A. Panay co-presidents in June and upped the number of nominees in each of its
Big Four Grammy Award categories from eight to 10 in November. Butterfield Jones cites another move as the most meaningful, though — its new inclusion rider, “a tool designed to ensure equity at every level of the production” ahead of its 64th annual ceremony in April. The measure will help the academy “cultivate a culture of belonging and respect” in the industry, “while laying the groundwork to combat systemic barriers,” she adds.
Frances Moore CEO, IFPI
Moore, who leads the trade association of the global recorded-music industry, was honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June for her contributions to the U.K. music industry. Under her leadership, IFPI continues to expand its geographical reach, reflecting “the truly global nature of today’s music industry,” says Moore. In the past year, it opened a Middle East North Africa office under regional director Rawan Al-Dabbas and also won approval from the Vietnamese government to establish an office in Hanoi.
Portia Sabin
PRESIDENT, MUSIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
The Music Business Association executed over 70 virtual events in the past year, from its ongoing one-hour interview series with industry executives to “multiday deep dives on metadata, brands, streaming, diversity, equity, inclusion, mental health and wellness,” says Sabin, 50. The strategy helped Music Biz shift its board makeup from “100% white and 12% female to 70% female and 48% people of color — which is not the end goal but a good start,” she adds. “I look forward to leading Music Biz in providing the rooms — both digital and physical — where these conversations can continue and positive action for change can be encouraged and celebrated.”
Sarah Trahern
CEO, COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION
The CMA remains committed to its mission of “expanding country music globally,” says Trahern, noting the establishment of the organization’s Music Industry COVID Support program to aid music industry professionals across all genres coping with food insecurity, mental health issues and job assistance needs. “MICS allowed us to broaden the dialogue and forge deeper relationships outside of country,” says Trahern. “Many of those conversations are informing the way CMA positions itself as a trade organization to the industry at large and continues to innovate through new member strategies.”
CONTRIBUTORS
Darlene Aderoju, Trevor Anderson, Rania Aniftos, Cathy Applefeld Olson, Megan Armstrong, Chuck Arnold, Katie Bain, Alexei Barrioneuvo, Starr Bowenbank, Dave Brooks, Keith Caulfield, Anna Chan, Ed Christman, Leila Cobo, Mariel Concepcion, Stephen Daw, Bill Donahue, Thom Duffy, Chris Eggertsen, Nolan Feeney, Griselda Flores, Eric Frankenberg, Adrienne
Gaffney, Josh Glicksman, Gary Graff, Paul Grein, Lyndsey Havens, Gil Kaufman, Steve Knopper, Carl Lamarre, Jason Lipshutz, Joe Lynch, Heran Mamo, Geoff Mayfield, Taylor Mims, Gail Mitchell, Melinda Newman, Jessica Nicholson, Glenn Peoples, Kristin Robinson, Jessica Roiz, Neena Rouhani, Dan Rys, Micah Singleton, Richard Smirke, Gary Trust, Andrew Unterberger, Christine Werthman, Natelegé Whaley, Jewel Wicker, Deborah Wilker, Nick Williams, Xander Zellner