Billboard France Celebrates Its First Power Players Edition
Music industry professionals working in the French market were honored at the inaugural event.
On September 15, Billboard France organized its inaugural Power Players ceremony, a French adaptation of the American publication's flagship format. This event recognizes individuals who influence the French music industry in various sectors, including live performance, labels and distribution, music publishing, streaming and technology, management, and collective management organizations.
Key sponsors included AEG Presents France, Amazon Music, AXS, Bpifrance, Bolero, and Sacem. The ceremony took place at the historic Salle Cortot in Paris' 17th arrondissement.
Julie Gayet, founder and president of the Sœurs Jumelles festival, hosted the event, which gathered 400 industry professionals to honor their peers. The following day, Billboard France unveiled the complete list of Power Players, the most influential figures in the French music market.
During the ceremony, six awards were presented. The Impact Award was given to Luc Barruet, co-founder of Solidarité Sida and Solidays festival, by singer Naïka. Aya Nakamura received the Artist-Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Julie Hassid, manager of DJ Snake, was honored with the AEG International Outreach Award. Marie-Anne Robert, president of Sony Music France, was recognized with the Female Executive of the Year Award.
DJ Mosimann presented the Male Executive of the Year Award to Denis Ladegaillerie, founder and CEO of Believe. The evening also paid tribute to Daniel Colling, Jean-Philippe Allard, and Olivier Caillart, industry figures who recently passed away, performed by pianist Gael Rakotondrabe. Additionally, Billboard France Scholarships winners Marie Goubaud-Picard and Smith Jordan Ndento Tchouaffe were introduced to the audience.
The event was supported by Amazon Music and integrated into the Equal Opportunity program of the All Access Musique association, offering the two scholarship recipients full-year funding for studies and mentorship within the French music ecosystem. Following the ceremony, a cocktail reception was held in partnership with AXS and Moët-Hennessy. Billboard France aims to make the Power Players ceremony an annual gathering for the French music industry.
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