British music industry umbrella body UK Music has been maintaining a diplomatic silence this week about the proposed ‘Brennan Bill‘ legislation. Unsurprising, given that some of its member organisations have VERY different views on the bill’s measures on equitable remuneration, contract revocation and more.
However, UK Music also had a big launch of its own this week, and it’s an important one. The body has unveiled its ‘Moving the Dial on Diversity’ report, which examines what progress has been made in the UK music industry over the last year on diversity, equity and inclusion.
The report takes as its basis the UK Music Diversity Taskforce’s Ten-Point Plan, which was published in 2020 as a series of practical measures for UK music bodies and companies to implement. The gist, as outlined very clearly by the taskforce’s chair and vice chair Ammo Talwar MBE and Paulette Long OBE, is of progress, but more work to be done.
“Collectively, we have moved the dial within the music industry and the broader creative sector and we must ensure that the trust embedded in us and the Taskforce is allowed to move the dial further in future years,” said Talwar.
“I also think we need to be mindful of separating meaningful movement from marketing and communications. There’s a natural habit to fall back into marketing and communications without realising it where diversity becomes a ‘marketing thing’. I think some people are still sitting in that space without realising it,” added Long. “It’s not outwardly intentional, but the drive for change needs to come from the heart otherwise it’s short-lived.”
The report is a good summary of what’s been done, what the impact has been, and what UK Music’s taskforce wants to happen next. As such, it will make interesting reading for music companies well beyond the UK, as the wider music business continues to seek the meaningful movement on diversity, equity and inclusion that Long is talking about.
Tools: platforms to help you reach new audiences
Tools :: Wyng
Through Music Ally’s internal marketing campaign tracking, we’ve recently discovered an interesting website by the…