Seminar to examine the topic of women in business

Two leading music industry business experts will be the guest speakers at a free seminar on women in business this Tuesday, September 28 on the Gold Coast.

The Business Insights seminar hosted by the Graduate College of Management at Southern Cross University will take place from 5.30pm at the University’s Gold Coast campus in Bilinga.

It will feature two guest speakers from the music industry: Vicki Gordon, one of the most highly respected music industry consultants and managers in Australia, and Marianna Annas, who has extensive experience in senior management roles in the music industry and is currently acting head of ABC Music Publishing.

Vicki Gordon has been awarded a Human Rights commendation for her contribution to women in the music industry, and in 2002 was the first woman on the Board of Aria in 50 years to represent the Independents. She is currently the managing director of her own marketing company for independent artists and the founding president of Cicada International Inc. which aims to assist emerging Indigenous artists trying to break into the mainstream.

“I established AWCM (Australian Women’s Contemporary Music Inc) 24 years ago to address some of the issues facing women in the Australian music industry, because it can be an alienating world for women,” said Vicki.

“It’s important that we continue to have a dialogue about how we can encourage and support women, not only into the music industry, but into the business world in general.

“My presentation will focus on gender equity and Indigenous inclusion, as well as showcase some of the strategies that you can use within your business to challenge convention and create opportunity.”

Marianna Annas has held senior business affairs roles at major labels including BMG Australia, BMG Music Publishing, and BMG Entertainment in New York where she spent three years as vice president, legal & business affairs, and EMI Music Australia as head of business affairs. More recently, she was general manager at Music Industry Piracy Investigations.

Marianna said she would share some of her experiences in senior management roles to give attendees an insight into how to tackle change in their industry.

“I will be using music piracy as a case study to suggest how you can strategically react to, and counter change in your industry,” said Marianna.

“It’s well documented that music piracy has created huge challenges for the music industry. I’ll be sharing my insights to the various approaches which have been taken and the potential opportunities that such challenges can present.”

The free Business Insights evening entitled ‘Women in Business’ will take place on Tuesday, September 28 at 5.30pm for a 6pm start at the Gold Coast campus of Southern Cross University, Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga (access via Terminal Drive, Gold Coast Airport). Refreshments will be provided and seats are limited.


Photo: Vicki Gordon will be on of the guest speakers at an upcoming seminar at Southern Cross University on the Gold Coast (high resolution image available on request)