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Music Business Association Announces 2025 Bizzy Award Finalists

Winners will be crowned during 4th Annual Bizzy Awards Dinner on May 14th

March 6th, 2025 — The Music Business Association (Music Biz) today announces the finalists for its seven crowd-nominated categories for the 2025 Bizzy Awards. The winners in each category will be announced at the fourth annual Bizzy Awards Dinner sponsored by Warner Music Group, happening Wednesday, May 14 during Music Biz 2025 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly.

The finalist lineups and details for each crowd-nominated category are as follows:

Leading Light Award: For a company or executive that has supported their staff via internal initiatives aimed at improving mental health & wellbeing and work/life balance.

  • BMAT Music Innovators
  • Kerri Fox-Metoyer, Head of Entertainment Services, Gabb
  • Colleen Theis, President & COO, The Orchard

Agent of Change Award: For a company that exemplifies a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices, executive development, and promotion structure.

  • Equal Access
  • SOCAN Foundation
  • United Voices 4 Peace

#NEXTGEN_NOW One To Watch Award: For an executive under 40 whose work (professional and/or volunteer) has been exceptional, innovative, and stands out as a contribution to the industry.

  • Sally Rose Larson, SVP of Government & External Affairs, DIMA
  • Lindsey Major, Chief Member Experience Officer, Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
  • Emily Stephenson, President, Downtown Music Publishing

Maestro of Metadata Award: For a company or executive who has made a significant impact in the area of data processing, credit clarification, streamlining or otherwise promoting clean data and best practices.

  • AMRA
  • DataArt
  • Elysha Miracle, SVP of Rights Data Management, Concord

Frontline Innovator Award: For a retail store who showed exceptional inventiveness and ingenuity in their practices during the past year in their interactions with consumers.

  • Grimey’s Music, Nashville, TN
  • Spin Me Round, Easton, PA
  • V.I.P. Records, Long Beach, CA

Marketing Superstar Award: For a marketing campaign that was innovative and thought provoking. Candidates can be from any sector of the industry, and campaigns can be physical or virtual.

  • George Strait’s “Wish I Could Say: A Journey Of Healing With Cowboys And Dreamers” | MCA Nashville
  • MF DOOM – MM..FOOD (20 Year Anniversary) | Rhymesayers Entertainment
  • U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at The Sphere (AR Fan Experience Campaign) | The Current Sea

Music Business Educator of the Year Award: Celebrates a music business educator who inspires students to enter the music business.

  • Jerry Brindisi, Columbia College Chicago
  • John Simson, American University
  • Dr. Charlie Wall-Andrews, Toronto Metropolitan University

Music Biz previously announced that Cindy Charles will posthumously receive its 2025 Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement, and that Digital Data Exchange (DDEX) will receive its 2025 Impact Award for Technological Excellence during the 2025 Bizzy Awards Dinner. 

About Music Biz 2025
Music Biz 2025 will take place May 12 — 15, 2025 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly. This year’s event marks the first time a Music Biz Conference will take place in Atlanta, bringing more than 2,200 global music professionals together in this thriving music city for industry-defining conversations and connections to help shape our industry’s future. In addition to new agenda items for first-timers and annual attendees alike, Music Biz will host new editions of longstanding programs such as its 14th annual Metadata Summit, Let’s Talk Physical, Music & Money, and Music Biz Roadshow. Visit musicbiz2025.com for an up-to-date conference agenda, event registration, lodging & flight discount info, and more.

About The Music Business Association
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) is a not-for-profit membership organization that advances, promotes, and invests in the future of the music business by providing a trusted forum where ideas and cooperation flourish. Through events, education, and engagement, the Association brings together the full breadth of the industry for unparalleled access to networking, resources, and thought leadership. 

Music Biz Media Contacts
Nicole Hennessey, VP, Music Business Association — nicole.hennessey@musicbiz.org