Study: Sales Provides Best Management Opp For Women

According to the latest MIW Gender Analysis Study released by the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group (MIW) out of 11,205 AM and FM radio stations, accounted for by MStreet Publications as of December 31, 2014, 1896 or 17.4% have women holding the GM position in 2014. This is four-tenths of apercentage point drop from 2013 which was 17.8% but does continue to show growth from 2004, ten years ago when the percentage was only 14.9%

The annual study is compiled, analyzed and released by the MIW’s from information provided by *MStreet Publications.

In the top 100 markets, the numbers are not keeping up with the national average. In 2014 16.2% of stations in these markets were managed by women, compared to 17.7% in 2013. Overall the best management opportunities for women continue to be in sales management although there has been essentially only a minor change for the last ten years. In 2014, 30.4% of all stations have a women sales manager which is slightly up from last year. And in the top 100 markets 31.6% of the stations have women SM’s, also up slightly from last year.

Kay Olin

The greatest challenge for women in radio management continues to be as programmers. Women currently only program 11.2% of all stations in the country which compares to 10.7% eight years ago.

The good news is in the top 100 markets where women programmers now represent 12.2% which compares to 11% in 2013, a positive increase of over one full percentage point.

The MIWs have been analyzing and publishing these gender numbers for the past fifteen years commented Kay Olin, spokesperson on behalf of the MIW Radio Group and Principle of Olin and Associates. “It is important to track the upward growth and impact of women’s leadership in Radio.

This report reminds us, on an annual basis, that we all can make a difference through mentoring and nurturing future leadership.”

The MIW group of top level women across the country is committed to using their influence and resources to support women in radio to develop strong management and leadership skills. The MIW’s are equally committed to advocating the advancement of women to senior positions in radio companies and corporations.