As the partner and co-head of global music at UTA, Samantha Kirby Yoh represents some of the industry’s biggest headliners: LCD Soundsystem, Florence + the Machine, Grimes, St. Vincent, and FKA twigs are just a few of the names on her roster. Under her leadership, which is known as being the among the best in the business, Yoh helps shape the creativity that eventually climbs the charts and sells out festivals. Maybe you can thank her, in small part, for that unforgettable moment of listening to a beloved artist in the crowd.
But curating groundbreaking music isn’t the only thing that Samantha is pioneering. As a founding member of the non-profit organization She Is The Music, she is committed to expanding the number of women working in her field across the globe. And as an advisor on the board of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Yoh’s working to increase diversity in the wider entertainment industry, too. These goals are a must, considering that last year the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found that only 2.6% of the 651 producers credited for popular music were women, as were only 12.5% of the 2,767 credited songwriters. In all, just 21% of the music industry’s roster of talent are women.
Yoh is blending her business acumen with a drive for diversity, which will only benefit the industry in the long run. She knows that women of all backgrounds not only deserve to be moved by music, but they deserve to shape it, too.
As the co-head of UTA Music, you oversee the careers of some of the industry’s biggest names including Rosalía, Florence + the Machine, and Björk, so it's no coincidence that you were named a Variety 2020 Power of Women honoree (congratulations!). How did this career opportunity come about? What does your role entail?
Joining UTA presented an exciting opportunity for me to continue to build out the music department and focus on our personalized investment in the artists we have the honor of representing. As individuals, we have to take responsibility for evolving the systems in place, including amplifying underrepresented voices within the music industry and beyond. In the words of the late congressman John Lewis, my advice would be, “If not now, then when?”
Beyond your role as an agent, you're a founding member of She Is The Music, which focuses on increasing the number of women working in the music industry, and you sit on the advisory board of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which works to increase diversity in the entertainment industry. How are you making a difference and pushing your industry forward?
She Is The Music focuses on three key pillars: Connecting women across the business through a growing global database, hosting writers’ camps that bring female recording artists, songwriters, and publishers together to build experience, and providing mentorship services to develop a sense of community and confidence among women in the landscape. These initiatives support women currently working in the industry while encouraging future female generations to pursue their dreams.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
I’m working in partnership with management and artists to develop long-term strategies across all mediums.
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
Confidence and guts come with trusting in yourself and your team. Remember to maintain a positive outlook and optimistic vision of the future on a daily basis, and roll with the punches. When you experience a setback, get back up and find the next solution and opportunity, because your brilliance will shine through your work.
When you separate yourself from your job title and the bells and whistles of your business or career, who are you and what do you like to do?
I am a mother, a partner, an activist, an organizer, and a woman who finds power from her community.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
I break down what happened and learn from it.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
The artists we are privileged to work with inspire me daily with their creations and bravery.
What's the one productivity tip or work hack that truly changed your life?
Exercise.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now—what advice would you give yourself?
Don’t hesitate, follow your gut, and lead with kindness.
Fill in the blanks:
The best career advice I always give is…
Believe in yourself.
I turn bad days around by…
Learning and looking for alternative solutions.
The three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
My passion for the magic of music, my drive to fight for justice, and my belief in the good of humanity.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
An increase in diversity.
My perfect day begins with…
Smiles with my sons.
