Categories: Women in Music 2020

BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

The Businesswoman Of The Year category is open to senior women working in the music industry in a commercial capacity. This is defined as someone who regularly brokers and concludes partnerships and deals involving the exchange of money for goods or services. They should have enjoyed considerable commercial success through the period from July 2018 to July 2019.

They should have direct budget control of at least £500,000.

This woman should have demonstrated a commitment to the following ideals throughout the year from July 2018 to July 2019:

- Entrepreneurship: Founder/leader of a business*, driving force behind success through pioneering approach, business acumen, dynamism, innovation, audacity, tenacity

- Financial Success: Sustained profitable business growth and healthy balance sheet with a minimum turnover of £3M

Nominations should include case studies/examples of this woman’s commercial success, and testimonials from her colleagues and/or clients in support of the nomination.

*Businesses/nominees must be based in the United Kingdom

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION

The Outstanding Contribution category aims to recognise a woman who has been working in the music industry for 10+ years, with considerable success and profile. Nominees will have demonstrably pushed the boundaries within their chosen field, and will have contributed positively to driving change and equality in music throughout their career in the music industry.

In particular, nominations should contain details regarding the nominee’s commitment to:

- Corporate Social Responsibility: Genuine commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices such as environmental policies, employee benefits, workforce diversity, and community schemes/relationships

- Role Model: Mentoring, succession planning, pushing boundaries, ability to motivate others, relationship building with colleagues/employees, especially for other women

Nominations should include case studies/examples of the contribution of the nominee to the music industry, and testimonials from her colleagues and/or clients in support of the nomination.

*Businesses/nominees must be based in the United Kingdom

RISING STAR

Nominees for the Rising Star award will have been working in the industry (as a whole) for 7 years or less (inclusive of full time internships). This award serves to highlight young female talent in the music business, across all disciplines and functions, except artists, who will be recognised via the New Artist Award.

Nominations should include details regarding:

- Exceptional Achievements: Please provide examples of exceptional achievements as part of this person’s role.

- Consistent Contribution: Please include details of projects the nominee has contributed to, with examples of how their input ensured success.

Nominations should include case studies/examples of the above, and testimonials from her colleagues and/or clients in support of the nomination.

*Businesses/nominees must be based in the United Kingdom

MUSIC CHAMPION

The Music Champion Award shines a light on women working in a public facing capacity who are encouraging the use of music as a force for change, inclusion, education or improvement. Nominees will successfully occupy the space between the industry and the consumer, influencing the perception of the music industry by the rest of the world.

In particular, nominations should include details regarding:

- Positive promotion of music: The nominee’s involvement in positively promoting the music industry in the mainstream media via multiple channels and mediums

- Force for change: Evidence of the contribution of the nominee’s efforts to use music as a force for change, inclusion, education or improvement

Nominations should include case studies/examples of the above, and testimonials from colleagues and/or clients in support of the nomination.

*Businesses/nominees must be based in the United Kingdom

CAMPAIGNER

This is a special award for someone working for or with a music related charity, or who has dedicated themselves to pushing for change, inclusion and acceptance within the music industry.

In particular, nominations should include details regarding the nominee’s commitment to:

- Campaign cause/impact: Evidence of a public commitment to raising awareness and impact of their campaign through a variety of platforms.

- Courage, dedication & passion: nominee should embody the values that they are campaigning for in their personal behaviour and brand.

Nominations should include case studies/examples of the above, and testimonials from her colleagues and/or clients in support of the nomination.

*Business/nominee must be based in the United Kingdom

MUSIC CREATIVE

The Music Creative Award will recognise a woman who has made a significant contribution to the making of music behind the scenes, through songwriting, studio production, or studio technology.*

This woman should have demonstrated a commitment to the following ideals throughout their career/the year from July 2018 to July 2019:

- Exceptional Achievements: Please provide examples of exceptional achievements as part of this person’s role.

- Consistent Contribution: Please include details of projects the nominee has contributed to, with examples of how their input ensured success.

- Role Model: Mentoring, succession planning, pushing boundaries, ability to motivate others, relationship building with colleagues/employees, especially for other women.

- Campaigner: Proven examples of encouraging equality and changes in the culture towards women in the music industry on a global scale.

*Nominees must be based in the United Kingdom

INTERNATIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR

The International Woman Of The Year Award will recognise a woman who has made a global contribution to the music industry over the course of the year. *

This woman should have demonstrated a commitment to the following ideals throughout their career/the year from July 2018 to July 2019:

- Entrepreneurship: Founder/leader of a business*, driving force behind success through pioneering approach, business acumen, dynamism, innovation, audacity, tenacity

- Financial Success: Sustained profitable business growth and healthy balance sheet with a minimum turnover of £500,000

- Corporate Social Responsibility: Genuine commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices such as environmental policies, employee benefits, workforce diversity, and community schemes/relationships

- Role Model: Mentoring, succession planning, pushing boundaries, ability to motivate others, relationship building with colleagues/employees, especially for other women.

- Campaigner: Proven examples of encouraging equality and changes in the culture towards women in the music industry on a global scale.

*Nominees must be based outside the United Kingdom

INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST (NO NOMINATIONS TAKEN)

The Inspirational Artist award is for an artist who has had a stellar career over a long period of time. The winner of this category will have, or have had, a record deal, and will be a recognisable public face through both their music and their commitment to equality and female empowerment in music.

Nominations will not be taken for this category; the winner of the award will be selected by Music Week, AIM and UK Music in consultation with the expert judging panel.

THE COMPANY AWARD: DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

The Company Award For Diversity In The Workplace will recognise a company that has gone the extra mile to champion diversity and inclusion both internally and externally. *

Nominated companies should be able to demonstrate a commitment to the following:

- Widespread Diversity – evidence of initiatives and policies that actively promote diversity, equality and inclusion of all kinds, not just gender

- Equal Opportunities – evidence of a commitment to diversity and equality at all levels within the company, from board level through to entry level

- Education & Evangelism – examples of how the company is leading the way in highlighting the benefits of diversity in business

Nominations should include case studies/examples of the above, and testimonials from employees and/or clients in support of the nomination.

*Nominees must have an office based in the United Kingdom

WOMEN IN MUSIC ROLL OF HONOUR

The Women In Music Roll Of Honour was established in 2014, and now has over 72 members. Every year 12 more women are inducted into the role of honour in recognition of their work for the music industry. Nominees for any of the above awards are automatically also considered for the Roll of Honour, however nominations can also be made solely for the Roll of Honour.

The Roll Of Honour aims to highlight the breadth, depth and variety of individuals who are ‘game changers’ in the music industry, with one common theme; they are either female, or their activities consistently benefit women, or focus on female empowerment/gender disparity.

Please note that entries are judged on the quality of their content, not on the quantity of entries made for a single nominee

2019 CATEGORIES

The Criteria