For the first time, leaders from the international music business are honored with a Billboard Power Players report, presented here in association with MIDEM, the leading international event for the global music business.
Nearly two-thirds of the trade value of music sold in physical form, and more than 40% sold through digital channels, is generated outside the United States, according to IFPI, the global music business trade group.
Among the top 10 live music promoters of 2013, according to Billboard Boxscore data, seven are based outside the United States.
When it comes to market growth, IFPI in 2013 reported increases in nine of the world’s top 20 international markets, while the United States had a modest slide.
Billboard’s Power Players series highlights the achievements of executives who drive our business forward with their artistic and business vision. And the importance of international executives to the growth of our business is undeniable.
To compile this list, Billboard reached out to numerous sources with international perspective and experience, and also tapped our global team of contributing writers. We asked them to identify executives who have substantial responsibility for business outside the United States (in some cases in addition to domestic responsibilities) and who have had the most power to drive change in their area of business.
We reviewed who was making news in our industry outside the United States during 2013. We factored in such data as Boxscore reports. And we sought input from MIDEM, which last year drew some 6, 400 participants from 75 countries.
“To grow today’s global music market, trading repertoire internationally is a key element,” MIDEM director Bruno Crolot says. “Hence, understanding who are the leading executives developing today’s international music business is critical. MIDEM, the leading international business event for the music ecosystem, is thus very proud to be associated with Billboard to release this first International Power Players list and welcome the selected professionals during the MIDEM VIP Dinner on Sunday, Feb. 2.”
Certainly, there are numerous accomplished executives working in the global music industry not represented here. The honorees featured represent the final judgment of Billboard editors.
But in spanning the breadth of industry sectors — major and independent labels, music publishers, the touring industry, digital services, consumer brands allied with artists, media, management and more — Billboard’s International Power Players report seeks to highlight the talent and achievements of executives who are driving our business forward around the world.