Beyoncé Presented With Billboard Woman of the Year Award
Lady Gaga Named Rising Star At Billboard Women In Music Event In NYC
New York, NY – October 2, 2009 – Billboard announced today that Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks, tops its annual Women In Music Power Players list, while Beyoncé was named "Woman of the Year," and Lady Gaga was dubbed the Billboard "Rising Star." The list of the top female music industry executives was revealed in the Billboard Women In Music issue, which hits newsstands today, and the honorees were feted at the Billboard Women in Music Event, presented by Macy's and in association with ICM at New York's Pierre Hotel. Beyoncé and Lady Gaga were both on hand to accept their special awards.
For the fifth consecutive year, Billboard's Women in Music feature in the Power Players series recognizes female executives who drive the music business forward with their vision, dedication and hard work. This year's list differs from previous years, as the nomination process was more open and inclusive than ever. This summer, Billboard invited readers including music industry executives worldwide to submit nominations that were reviewed by a team of Billboard editors.  The top 30 nominees were chosen and ranked based on their achievements during the past 12 months.
"The music industry is constantly evolving, and the women being honored on this list represent the most forward thinking, creative minds who are always working one step ahead," said Bill Werde, Billboard's Editorial Director. "This list includes heads of labels, TV networks, and production companies. The women being honored continue to grow their businesses while also serving as great teachers and role models providing a solid foundation for the future of the industry."
The coveted Billboard Woman of the Year Award is given to a trailblazing female recording artist that has inspired the music business with her success, leadership and new ideas.  The award also acknowledges the achievements of the artist over the past 12 months.  The Billboard Rising Star Award recognizes success and great potential among artists in the early stages of their career.   
The Billboard Woman Of The Year, Beyoncé, established herself as a founding member and frontwoman of Destiny's Child – the top-selling female recording group of all-time – and is now a multi-platinum solo artist.  She has been recognized with Grammy® Awards, American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, ASCAP Awards, BET Awards and many other honors.   Over the past 12 months, Beyoncé kicked off her world tour "I Am…" in support of her third solo album "I Am…Sasha Fierce," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and features the hit singles "If I Were A Boy," "Single Ladies," "Halo," "Ego" and "Sweet Dreams."    The tour also showcases Beyoncé's philanthropic side as she gave 2500 tickets to families hit hard by the auto industry crisis in Detroit, and joined forces with General Mills Hamburger Helper® and Feeding America® to deliver 3.5 million meals to local food banks.
In addition to her work as an artist and philanthropist, Beyoncé has also enjoyed tremendous success with her fashion lines House of Deréon and Deréon; through her endorsements deals with L'Oreal Paris, Nintendo DSi, General Mills, Crystal Geyser in Japan and Samantha Thavasa in Japan; and with her acting career.  "Obsessed," her sixth theatrical release, opened at No.1 at the box office in April.  Beyoncé was also a producer on the film.   
Lady Gaga, The 2009 Billboard Rising Star Award recipient, started in the music industry the old-fashioned way, using the New York City club scene to pay her dues, develop and discover herself as an artist.  She is the undisputed breakout act of the year. Her massively successful album "The Fame" (Streamline Records) – for which she wrote all of the lyrics and melodies, and played most of the synth work – has spawned four Billboard Hot 100 hit singles, including two No. 1 hits: "Just Dance" and "Poker Face."  Lady Gaga recently became the third artist in the history of the Mainstream Top 40 Airplay chart to have three No. 1 singles from a debut album, and has the Nos. 2 and 8 best-selling digital songs of all time: "Just Dance" (4.6 million) and "Poker Face" (4 million), respectively.  "The Fame" is also the best-selling album from a debut artist for 2009.
The 2009 Billboard Women In Music Power Players List:
1. Judy McGrath
Chairman/CEO, MTV Networks
2. Julie Greenwald
Chairman/COO, Atlantic Records
3. Jody Gerson
Co-president, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
4. Kathy Willard
Executive VP/CFO, Live Nation
5. Sylvia Rhone
President, Universal Motown Records
6. Debra Lee
Chairman/CEO, BET Networks
7. Alexandra Patsavas
Owner, Chop Shop Music Supervision
8. Amanda Marks
Executive VP/GM, Universal Music Group Distribution
9. Claudia Palmer
Executive VP/COO, Europe, EMI Music Publishing
10. Julie Swidler
Executive VP of business affairs/general counsel, Sony Music Entertainment
11. Marian Leighton Levy
Chairman, Rounder Records
12. Marsha Vlasic
Senior VP of contemporary rock, International Creative Management
13. Tammy Genovese
CEO, Country Music Assn.
14. Cynthia Sexton
Executive VP of music services, EMI Music, Worldwide
15. Brenda Romano
President of promotion, Interscope Geffen A&M Records
16. Amanda Ghost
President, Epic Records
17. Andria Vidler
President, EMI Music U.K. & Ireland
18. Lia Vollack-Friedman
President of motion picture music, Sony Pictures Entertainment
19. Kara DioGuardi
Co-owner, Arthouse Entertainment; VP of A&R, Warner Bros. Records
20. Linda Newmark
Executive VP of acquisitions and strategic projects, Universal Music Publishing Group
21. Melissa Lonner
Senior Producer, 'Today'
22. Rebeca Leon
VP of Latin talent, AEG Live/Goldenvoice
23. Kathy Spanberger
President of the Anglo American region, peermusic
24. Jennifer Schaidler
Executive VP of sales, Sony Music Entertainment
25. Cara Lewis
Agent, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
26. Alison Smith
Senior VP of performing rights, BMI
27. Livia Tortella
GM/Executive VP of marketing and creative media, Atlantic Records
28. Marilyn Bergman
Former president/chairman, ASCAP
29. Liana Farnham
VP of marketing concerts/network integration, MSG Entertainment
30. Marilyn Santiago
Programming/operations manager for Miami, Spanish Broadcasting System
Press Contact
Contact: Caitlin O'Neill, 212-981-5275, Caitlin_O'Neill@dkcnews.com
About Billboard
Now in its 115th year, Billboard is the world's premier music brand consisting of business-to-business properties including Billboard Magazine, Billboard.biz and Billboard Events as well as a consumer platform – http://www.Billboard.com – the online destination of choice for millions of music fans.  The Billboard brand is built on its exclusive charts and unrivaled reporting on the latest news, issues and trends across all genres of music.  The brand is also extended through many strategic relationships with major companies including Reuters, SanDisk, Telemundo, Ticketmaster, Microsoft Zune, Napster, MTV, Google, Virgin Mobile, AT&T, ABC Radio, SonyBMG, Amazon, a
nd sister companies Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems.  These relationships leverage Billboard's brand recognition, proprietary chart data and information resources to develop products, live events and print, television, radio, digital and mobile platforms for music consumers.
About Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers. For Macy's media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.
