Based on the most recent MIW Gender Analysis Report, women currently program only 10.7% of all stations in the U.S. That’s not much better than ten years ago. The news is better in the top 100 markets where female program directors now represent 12.2%, flat from last year. To help address that issue, Nielsen and the MIW group are launching a new mentoring program for women.
MIW Radio Group member Ruth Presslaff said, “Programming, in particular, has been on our radar for several years. With the generous support of Nielsen Music, the MIWs are now keenly focused on the challenge of increasing the percentage of growth in that vitally important sector. We are thrilled to announce a collaboration with Nielsen Music to establish the MIW-Nielsen Music Mentoring Program.”
“The Nielsen Music team is honored to join forces with MIW Radio Group on this mentorship program, which will provide a unique support network for women who aspire to take on one of the most difficult and demanding jobs in radio,” said Stephanie Friedman, Vice President of Radio, Nielsen Music. “This is such a special opportunity, and we’re so excited to help shape the future for up-and-coming female radio programmers as well as get involved in the radio world in a way we never have before.”
An announcement for applications will be released this summer. The first MIW-Nielsen Music Programming Mentee will receive a scholarship to attend the 2017 Radio Show in Austin, where they will be formally officially introduced and subsequently mentored throughout the fall and winter months. For more information on the MIW Radio Group and the MIW-Nielsen Music Mentoring Program, please visit www.radiomiw.com.
