MIW Releases Gender Analysis Study
• Each year, the Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) Group compiles and analyzes the number of women in radio who are rising to the ranks of management. Data gathered for their annual MIW Group Gender Analysis Study specifically tracks the progress of female professionals holding General Manager, Sales Manager and Program Director positions.
General Managers: 19.05% (of 2,081 stations) had women holding the GM position in 2018 — a slight increase from 18.1% in 2017. This number shows consistent growth from 2004, when the percentage of female GMs was only 14.9%. In the top 100 markets, the number of women GMs continues to run slightly higher than the national average — in 2018, 19.2% (662 stations) were managed by women, up from 18.5% in 2017.
Sales Managers: Overall, the best management opportunities for women in radio continue to be in sales management — 32.6% (3,481 stations) had a woman sales manager in 2018. In the top 100 markets, 32.97% (1,118 stations) had women Sales Managers in 2018.
Program Directors: The greatest challenge for women in radio management continues to be in the area of Program Director. Women currently program only 10.6% of the 1,139 stations surveyed — and that percentage has basically remained flat for the last 12 years. In the top 100 markets, the news is slightly better, as female PDs represent 11.4% of the total number of Program Directors; however, and significantly, this number is down from last year.
MIW Group Spokeswoman Denyse Mesnik says, “This meaningful annual exercise reminds us why we volunteer our time, and share our expertise, with other women in radio. The MIW Group is committed to encouraging growth, and honing careers, so that the road to management will be more easily attainable by women dedicated to our profession. Although 2018 numbers reflect some growth, there is still work to be done.”
The MIW Gender Analysis Study is has been consistently released, utilizing this same methodology, since 2000. The figures and percentages shown represent the calendar year 2018 and are reflective of 11,225 AM and FM radio stations, as accounted for by PrecisionTrak as of December 31, 2018.
