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Footnotes
1. The names and titles of over 4,000 executives across all categories were collected for this study. Outside of data
provided by Universal Music Group (UMG), the gender of each executive (male, female, non-binary) was
researched online using industry databases as well as publicly available information across news sources and social
media. Individuals were categorized based on pronouns as well as gender expression. One executive identified as
gender non-binary (they/them pronouns). Once all research methods were exhausted, attempts were made to
contact executives directly via email or phone to request information regarding how they identify. Lastly, if these
avenues did not yield a decision, gender was inferred based on first name.
The racial/ethnic background was sought for each executive in the study across all categories. The same databases
and outlets utilized for gender research were accessed to review information related to racial/ethnic identification.
Individuals were categorized in two ways, first by underrepresented status (No=white, Yes=Black/African
American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern/North African
and Multiracial/Multiethnic) and secondly as Black (Yes or No), alone or in combination with any other group (e.g.,
Multiracial).
As detailed in other Annenberg Inclusion Initiative reports, we have established a high degree of confidence in
deducing the underrepresented status of individuals using familial, biographical, visual, and group membership-
based information. Statistically, we found a .90 correlation between the actual underrepresented status of series
regulars and our research team’s judgements of the same individuals. Thus, we are assured in our data collection
methodology related to these categories. It is important to note that when an executive’s race/ethnicity was
impossible to ascertain, the judgment was rendered can’t tell. As with all our reports, these entries were excluded
from the data file before analysis.
Our undergraduate and graduate team consisted of a leadership group with 6 individuals who helped oversee
multiple facets of the investigation and assisted the larger research team. Five of these leading research assistants
were women and 1 was male. In terms of race/ethnicity, 4 were Black/African American, 1 was Hispanic/Latinx,
and 1 was Asian. Including the leadership group, a total of 21 female and 8 male undergraduate and graduate
research assistants contributed to the data collection and 21 out of the 29 were part of an underrepresented
racial/ethnic group. The breakdown of race/ethnicity is as follows: 8 (27.6%) were White, 7 (24.1%) Black/African
American, 1 (3.5%) Hispanic/Latinx, and 13 (44.8%) Asian. These numbers and percentages do not include the full
time staff at the Initiative who contributed to this project. Including our leaders would only increase the diversity
of the larger team.
2. Music Groups consisted of the “Big Three” (i.e., Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner
Music Group) major music companies. To capture labels, we assessed US-based labels and label groups associated
with the Big Three. To gather the independent labels we used a Billboard published ranking of 12 independent
companies, compiled with Nielsen financial data, based on revenue generated in 2018. Independent labels may
have deals or agreements with the three major music companies but are understood to operate separately from
them and are not majority-owned by SME, UMG, or WMG. Depending on the source, the independent status of
labels may not be fully clear. For example, the ownership status of the top ‘independent’ label according to
Billboard (Cash Money) was contested in court. We subsumed Cash Money under UMG and not as an independent
label in all analyses. In addition to the 11 on the Billboard list, we sought the expertise of 4 notable music agents
from CAA, WME, UTA and Paradigm. Upon their confirmation of the indie label list, they offered insight on
independent publishing as well as additional companies to examine. This translated into 2 additional independent
labels as part of our examination, thus bringing the final total of independent label groups to 13.
In totality, here is the list of the 38 labels and label groups (including subsidiaries) assessed in this study: UMG
(Capitol Music Group, Cash Money Records, Def Jam Recordings, Interscope Records, Island Records, Republic
Records, Universal Music Enterprises, UMG Nashville, Universal Music Latin Entertainment, Verve Label Group),
SME (Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Masterworks, Provident Label Group, RCA Inspiration, RCA
Records, Sony Music Latin, Sony Music Nashville), WMG (Atlantic Records, Elektra Music Group, Nonesuch