CRS In Action: Women In The Industry: Breaking Barriers & Balance

CRS 2016

In TODAY's (2/9) "WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY: BREAKING BARRIERS & BALANCE" panel at COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR (CRS) 2016, moderator SCRIPPS/WICHITA VP/GM BEVERLEE BRANNIGAN led a discussion about succesful females keeping balance. The panel shed light on how women are succeeding in what has been a male dominated industry, how to recognize opportunities when presented, and how to capitalize.

The panelists, which included radio veteran JULES RILEY, PREMIERE NETWORKS Pres. JULIE TALBOTT, CBS RADIO/HOUSTON SVP/Market Mgr. SARAH FRAZIER, KP ENTERTAINMENT's KERRI EDWARDS, and WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE VP/Promotion KRISTEN WILLIAMS, shared their insight on networking, mentors who helped them, breaking down obstacles, overcoming your own worst enemy, and how to balance the personal with the professional. 

At the beginning of the panel, BRANNIGAN made a point that the premise of the panel was for women who have navigated these obstacles to share their experiences, because it's easy to generalize, and there is not one kind of woman. Some of the questions BRANNIGAN posed for the panelists included: Were your early visions for your career a match to where you are now? How do you make transitions from one level to another? Was it an event or a person that helped you realize that transition? 

The panel touched upon lists, such as BILLBOARD's "Top 50" list, which only features 12 women. BRANNIGAN begged the question, do you feel a more equal shift coming to lists like that? Should we do more to get on these lists? Does it matter? WILLIAMS responded, "I hope so. I hope a shift is coming." She added, "How do we do it? It's up to us! We have to go out there and prove it. It takes a lot of courage." 

The panelists offered great advice in all areas of the industry: programming, sales, artist management, and more, and their discussion was insightful and inspiring to the women in the room. Everybody agreed, "Choose your boss carefully." Find a person who believes in you. WILLIAMS referenced WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE Pres. JOHN ESPOSITO, who told her, "You're a diamond in the rough," which she said helped her to find her voice and give her confidence. TALBOTT also said, "Pay is 81% women to men still. It's about hard work, and keep going." Bosses are the ones who help you. RILEY added, "We feel so grateful we got a job," but she added, "Know what's right for you. If you don't connect with your manager, it's a struggle." 

BRANNIGAN brought up the HEWLETT PACKARD report which states that when applying for jobs, men who are only 60% qualified for the position apply, while women apply when they are 100% qualified. The panelists discussed the importance of this, and RILEY commented, "The field isn't as good as you think it is. Nobody is going to know ... nobody is judging you." She added, "If you don't put yourself out there, I'm never going to know if you're the one I'm looking for." 

The panelists also discussed finding a work-life balance, and all of them agreed that it's all about finding a support system, and surrounding yourself with people who support you and people who will be there to help pick up the pieces you may leave behind. They stressed the importance of commitment to achieving your goals, both personal and professional. "If you're committed to it, you will make it work," said WILLIAMS. 

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