As the summer of 2021 drew near, the music world had high hopes for a return to something resembling “normal”: vaccines were becoming available, tours were being rescheduled, and people were bracing to return to the office in September. Of course, life hasn’t returned to that level of normal, and the women on this list fought for ways to keep the entertainment business thriving, through online innovations, launching compelling content on any and all viewing platforms, championing artists and new voices coming up through the ranks.
PvNew once again celebrates these women and their impact on the entertainment business, while recognizing that the past 12 months has nevertheless been a dynamic time for showbiz. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has accelerated change, disrupting business models and personal lives. Still, the L.A.- based women on this list have found ways to innovate, and many are hopeful for the future.
Claudia Butzky
Senior Vice President, Global Brand Partnerships & Sync Licensing, Warner Records
In the less than two years since Butzky joined Warner, her big brand partnerships, activations and campaigns have included Dua Lipa’s national Lay’s commercial; Green Day’s NFL Honors showcase; Saweetie’s NASCAR, Jack Daniels, Sprite and HP partnerships; and a Bebe Rexha campaign with Walgreen’s that impressively coalesced in under eight days. But it’s the behind-the-scenes work that Butzky finds herself perhaps most in awe of. “I put together my dream team at Warner,” she says. “And the bond, working relationship, and overall drive to win could not be stronger. We’ve been able to reinvent how we do our jobs through the pandemic.”
Do you turn off your career when on vacation?“Never! Vacation is one of the times where I get to be reinspired by brands as you really can’t escape them. It allows me to think outside the box for new ideas to incorporate into music. Brands are all around us all the time.”
Kelly Clarkson
Singer, Talk Show Host, “The Kelly Clarkson Show”
An icon since she won the first season of “American Idol” in 2002, Clarkson heads into Season 3 of her eponymous show, which recently won the Daytime Emmy for talkers (second year in a row) while Clarkson nabbed one for host. Clarkson’s hit yakker will take over “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” slot next fall. Clarkson joined NBC’s “The Voice” full time in season 14, and has coached three winning contestants, including the youngest female winner.
Challenges ahead:“The challenge but also the beauty of life in any industry is change,” says Clarkson. “I love change. I love progression and being innovative. I think the pandemic has really showed us all what we are capable of and where we need to show more gratitude, and get back to letting art lead the way as far as progression instead of money, especially in the entertainment industry.”
Phylicia Fant
Head of Urban, Columbia Records
As head of urban at Columbia Records, Fant has “tentacles in every facet of an artist’s campaign.” Her hard work has certainly paid off this year, to the acclaim of artists including Lil Nas X, 24kGoldn and the Kid Laroi. What’s more, Fant works to include activism within her artists’ campaigns, as when Nas raised funds for the Bail Project through his “Industry Baby” music video.
Hope for the future: Fant strives for continued diversity in the industry. “Music is not a monolith, so we must truly foster allyship across the spectrum in order to yield the best results.”
Kathryn Frazier
Founder, CEO, Biz3
Frazier’s powerhouse public relations firm, Biz3, is celebrating its quarter-century mark, while still high off the successes of two of the most impactful and highest-selling albums of the past year: the Weeknd and Lil Baby. Alongside her PR work, Frazier is also an Intl. Coaching Federation certified personal and professional coach (and recovery coach in training). With her complementary skills working in tandem, Frazier helps her clients with genuine growth in their careers while maintaining mental wellness.
Downtime prescription: “I know balance is what keeps you thriving. I’m protective of my downtime so that I’m really efficient and inspired when in work mode. Burnout is real and to be avoided.”
