International Women’s Day Manager Spotlight: Denise Allan
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I am a Director at 677 Media Management and we have been in business for 14 years. Our clients include Glasvegas, Freakwave, Lamaya, Cherry and Steph Johnstone.
What is your greatest career success to date?
Taking Glasvegas to platinum success with over 300,000 album sales in the UK.
What has been the most significant challenge you’ve encountered in the industry?
The lines between personal life and professional life can be easily blurred. Its ingrained in the culture to be accessible 24/7 but its not sustainable. I’m still grappling with how best to look after my mental well being and have a more balanced work/life relationship.
Who gets your Women’s Day shoutout?
Honestly, its my kids nursery in Dennistoun, Glasgow! Sorry thats quite UN-RocknRoll, but without their understanding and early support there would be no management career for me. I am forever grateful.
If you could change one thing about how the music industry operates to improve the experience of women, what would it be?
In big bold writing TARGETED SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS!!! So they stop having to choose either to be a parent or having a career in music.
Hopes for the future?
Like the rest of the UK women are underrepresented in Scotland too. There are 2 maybe 3 other full time female music managers that have children. My dream is that one day I’ll turn up to a showcase in Glasgow and recognise a great plethora of fellow female (or those who identify as female) music industry executives and live crew in the venue. All different ages, filling the room with perfume, high pitched chatter and big bouncy hair.