Susan Davenport Austin is a woman of power. Appointed as chairwoman of the board of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) last October, she became the first woman and first African American to lead the board that she has been a part of since 2007. In addition to her responsibilities at BMI, Austin serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer at Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation, along with being president of the Sheridan Gospel Network. Though music’s exciting digital age continues to keep her busy as it moves at a fast pace, Austin took some time to speak with BlackEnterprise.com about advising BMI, which reported more than $900 million in revenue at the end of its last fiscal year, and represents more than 500,000 creators and 7.5 million works.
Being the first African American and woman to chair BMI, do you feel you bring a different perspective to the organization?
Let me begin by saying that each chair brings his or her own unique perspective to an organization. BMI was founded on the basis of accepting all genres of American music and has a proven track record of acceptance. BMI created the first real “open door†for songwriters, composers, and music publishers when we opened our doors in 1940 to the writers of original forms of American music such as jazz, R&B, blues, and country. So it is no surprise that our board and management are committed to fostering a diverse workplace. I expect to bring a different perspective and I believe that my fellow board members chose me as chair because of the perspective I have already brought as a board member. I am sure my own background and experiences, including my financial and strategic-planning expertise, will inform my tenure as chairman.
How would you explain what you do in your role as chair of BMI?
As chairman, I lead the BMI Board of Directors in overseeing the broad business activities of the company, lending our expertise to and supporting BMI’s management team as needed and working with management to develop and implement our vision for the future… As chairman of the board I hope to make a contribution to music and to the entertainment industry at large.
What do you hope to accomplish during your tenure?
Generally, the chairman of the BMI board is expected to serve for three years. [During that time] I look forward to helping the BMI management team in the ongoing process of implementing our strategic plan; to meeting the needs of our customers, whether they are songwriters, music publishers or licensees; and to fostering the value of creativity around the world for our songwriters, composers, and publishers whose creative works make up the BMI repertoire.
How have you been finding balance between your responsibilities with BMI, as well as your duties at Sheridan Broadcasting Group and Sheridan Gospel Network?
We have a great team on the BMI board and in BMI management. I am fortunate to have the support of this experienced and uniquely capable board of directors, each of who contributes to our guidance of the company. I am also fortunate to have a great team at Sheridan, who are able to keep our business moving forward even when I have to break away to attend to BMI business.
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How did you get involved in radio/music and this aspect of the business?
My family became involved in the radio business 40 years ago with the purchase of four radio stations in Pittsburgh, Boston, and Buffalo. Shortly thereafter we entered into the radio network business with the purchase of Mutual Black Network (MBN), which eventually became the Sheridan Broadcasting Network, which is now the majority partner of American Urban Radio Networks (AURN). So I have been around the radio business pretty much most of my life. I started my professional career as an investment banker, but always stayed near the communications business. After 10 years as a banker I joined Sheridan. I quickly became involved in a variety of industry groups and soon joined the board of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), an industry trade association. It was through the relationships that I developed in my early years in the industry that I came to be on the BMI board. I am a firm believer that those who contribute creatively to our society should be compensated for their work and serving on the BMI board is a wonderful way to fulfill this goal.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing songwriters, composers, and publishers today?
We are in an exciting time in the entertainment business. Digital has redefined how creative content is authored, distributed, and enjoyed by consumers. We are dedicated to ensuring that we help new markets grow while at the same time we help to define the value of music in the entertainment economy.
How has the digital age affected music licensing?
The digital age has created enormous opportunities for BMI and others, particularly as we see the consumer public embracing streaming of content. Our goal is to allow new models and delivery systems to help them grow and prosper, while at the same time compensating the creators of the works on which these markets are based.
What are your feelings on SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act)?
BMI supported the intent behind SOPA and PIPA in stopping online piracy. We believe in solutions that balance the needs of the creative community and the businesses that use their works.
What would be your pitch to an independent musician or songwriter who isn’t or hasn’t yet considered signing up with BMI?
As friends of mine will tell you, I constantly pitch BMI to both upcoming songwriters and to those who might currently be affiliated with another society. I think that BMI’s open-door policy remains a cornerstone of our corporate philosophy. Today, the open door is electronic. Every month, more than 3,000 new songwriters come through a virtual open door, joining us through our online affiliation service. So our role in creating potential and opportunity for songwriters and publishers continues.
How has BMI adapted to the technological advancements in music?
BMI has also been a leader in the utilization of technology to help increase recognition of when works are played. For example, we can recognize short duration works that historically have not been able to be delineated. What this means for the songwriter is that we are constantly focused on ensuring that they are compensated for their work, whether it is utilized in radio, TV, a public venue such as a store or bar, or anywhere in the digital space. I would encourage [independent musicians and songwriters] to go to a BMI showcase and to visit our website (BMI.com) to learn about the programs that we create to support the craft of songwriting. I would suggest that they learn about the hundreds of thousands of writers who came before them as BMI songwriters–these are creative individuals who have truly created the American songbook. I’d fill them in on BMI’s efforts to grow revenues and to protect the rights of creators at the state level, in Washington and around the world.
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS! Join us for the landmark 10th Annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, March 2—4, 2015, at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL. This exciting, one-of-a-kind executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work—life balance techniques. Register Now! https://blackenterprise.com/wps