● “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Take Me Home Tonight” rock singer EDDIE MONEY died at 70. ● Singer-songwriter and cult icon DANIEL JOHNSTON died at 58.
it was also innovative marketing that
would change the AIDS fight, so I
was privileged to work with Apple
and Amazon and Beats by Dre and
Salesforce. I look at innovative part-
nerships that can take us where we
need to go. Certainly at EMI it was
all about music and marketing, and
the lawyering, it was deals and advo-
cacy. So I do feel like I’m prepared. I
look at it being a not-for-profit peer-
to-peer and service organization, and
I want that feeling to come across in
everything that we do.
When your role was announced,
Bono issued a statement saying he
was looking forward to you “crack-
ing the ceiling.” How will you do
that? Has he given you any advice?
I haven’t spoken to him since I
started, but he knows my spirit and I
think he’s smiling that I’ve taken this
position. One of the first things that
I’ve focused on is the diversity and
inclusion task force that began prior
to my arrival. I’m excited as the first
female CEO to have that as part of
my mission.
You have had to jump right into
Grammy season. What can you
tell us about the Jan. 26 Grammys,
which will be Ken Ehrlich’s last as
executive producer after 40 years
before Ben Winston takes over?
My background is dealing with
highly creative people, and I feel like
I’m great at coming up with ideas
and having the best of those go to
market, especially representing the
music community. I did have Bono
as a boss for eight years. (Laughs.)
Those conversations [with Ehrlich
and Winston] are just highly creative
— one of us topping the other with
suggestions and ideas. Really, this is a
celebration of Ken. He already has left
a great legacy, but I think he looks at
this show as a culmination of the best
of his talents. Everybody’s working to
make it the best show.
Last year, The Recording Academy
expanded the Big Four categories
from five to eight nominees. Are
you looking to expand others?
Absolutely, because we are continually
examining and improving the pro-
cess. So those questions are evolving
and top of mind at every meeting as
we approach the Grammy season. I
can’t point to a specific change at this
moment, but I would say that it’s a
constant process of improving the way
we do the Grammys.
Is the organization’s staff as diverse as you would
like it to be?
The staff actually does represent society in quite
an accurate way. There’s 59% female, 41% male. A
good mix of Asian, black, Hispanic, white. Are there
enough females in leadership positions is what I’m
looking into. The senior staff does have six women,
seven men, but are they in the right seats on the bus?
On Aug. 12, a judge ruled that the employment
agreement that former MusiCares and Grammy
Foundation vp Dana Tomarken signed was un-
conscionable and that the academy cannot force
arbitration upon her. (She sued the academy for
wrongful termination in February.) Do you have
any thoughts on the suit or the judge’s ruling?
I’m not going to opine on that because I’ve just
walked in the door and it’s so sensitive to everybody
involved. But I do have a lawyer’s background and
I plan on looking into it, and I’ll have to get back to
you on that one.
The Recording Academy operates 12 chapters
across the country, each with its own board.
Is that setup the best way to continue?
I’m with open eyes asking a million ques-
tions with a lot of focus, saying, “Is this
the best it can be?” My initial take is
it’s quite a glorious thing. Do I wish
that it were simpler? Do I wish that it
could be the most streamlined, and am
I the person to do that? Yes, I think so.
But I wouldn’t walk in the door
and change anything that has
been represented by 62 years
of excellence. In a year’s time,
I might be saying something
different, but for now, I’m very
much in awe of the potential of
this organization.
What does the academy look like a year
from now?
I’m trying to think about our vision, our rallying cry,
our way of working and very clear strategic objec-
tives. I would be doing a disservice if, 20 days in, I
landed on what that looks like a year from now. But I
do believe it’s representing the artists’ community in
the most relevant way. It’s advocating on their behalf.
It is having a diverse and inclusive role and being
a model for the industry. I look for us to be taking
the lead in all of the positive change to bring out the
best of humanity through music. I know that sounds
really grandiose, but I think that that’s what The
Recording Academy should be.
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- “I do my best to be mindful and use various tools like the Headspace
app to help keep me grounded,” says Dugan. “Early in my career, a
mentor gave me this Buddhist Tara to ground me in compassion and
wisdom.” 2. “I stole this wooden drawing figure from my son. It’s a dai-
ly reminder to think creatively. It’s always asking me, ‘What have you
done that’s innovative today?’ ” 3. “When I was unpacking from my
move to Los Angeles, I grabbed a bunch of vinyl from my stash and
brought it into the office,” she says. “I think better with music playing.”
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