Music Business Association Names 2026 Bizzy Award Winners
10 award winners crowned during 5th Annual Bizzy Awards Dinner on May 13th
May 14th, 2026 — The Music Business Association (Music Biz) announces the winners of this year’s Bizzy Awards, who were honored during the fifth annual Bizzy Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening, May 13th during Music Biz 2026 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly. The 2026 Bizzy Awards Dinner was hosted by artist & Reach Records founder, Lecrae, and featured performances by 1K PHEW (Reach Records) & Mali Wilson (Retnuh Music).
Full-size photos of all award winners are available here, with all photo credits going to Picture This! Photography. The 2026 Bizzy Award winners are as follows:
- Digital Innovator Award: Vickie Nauman, Founder & CEO, CrossBorderWorks
For a company or individual who is pioneering the effective use of digital technologies to positively impact how the modern music industry does business. - Leading Light Award: Lisa Hresko, COO, A2IM & President, Foundation for Independent Music
For a company or executive that has supported their staff via internal initiatives aimed at improving mental health & well-being and work/life balance. - Indie Retailer of the Year Award: Easy Street Records, Seattle, WA
For a retail store who showed exceptional inventiveness and ingenuity in their practices during the past year in their interactions with consumers. - Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement: Sarah Trahern, CEO, Country Music Association
- Marketing Superstar Award: Hayley Williams, “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party,” Secretly Distribution/Post Atlantic
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. - Maestro of Metadata Award: Andrew Mitchell, Chief Analytics & Automation Officer, The MLC
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. - Ace Communicator Award: Dmitri Vietze, Founder & CEO, Rock Paper Scissors
For a company or individual who is outstanding in the fields of public relations & corporate communications, shining light on the hard job of raising awareness for non-marketing messages and managing internal/external comms. - #NEXTGEN_NOW One to Watch Award: Hannah Thompson-Waitt, SVP of Commercial Marketing US, Virgin Music Group
For an executive under 40 whose work (professional and/or volunteer) has been exceptional, innovative, and stands out as a contribution to the industry. - Music Business Educator of the Year Award: Prof. Tonya Butler, J.D., LL.M., Chair, Music Business/Management, Berklee College of Music
Celebrates a music business educator who inspires students to enter the music business.
- Agent of Change Award: Women in Music Organization (WIM)
For a company that exemplifies a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices, executive development, and promotion structure.
This year marks the fifth time that nominations for the Association’s awards program were crowd-sourced, allowing the global music business at large to recognize their companies and peers who are making a difference in improving the global industry.
About Music Biz 2026
Music Biz 2026 takes place May 11th — 14th at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly. This marks the event’s second edition in Atlanta, building on the momentum of last year’s gathering of more than 2,100 global music professionals in this beloved music city. Attendees can expect industry-defining conversations and networking opportunities aimed at shaping the future of the music industry. This year’s program will feature all-new panel blocks such as “Advancing the Business of Music: Emerging Strategies for 2026 & Beyond” and “Harmony At Work: Best Practices for Inclusion, Support & Productivity,” joining new editions of attendee-favorite tracks like Music & Money, Let’s Talk Physical, the Trust & Safety Symposium, and the Music Biz Roadshow. Visit musicbiz2026.com for full event information, including the final conference agenda and a list of companies in attendance.
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 Contact
Nicole Hennessey, VP & Director of Communications, Music Biz — nicole.hennessey@musicbiz.org
