Writing exclusively for TVBEurope, Carrie Wootten, co-founder of The Global Media and Entertainment Manifesto, details the need for the media tech industry to find a more diverse workforce who can plug the skills shortage
By Contributor
Published: August 8, 2024 Updated: August 9, 2024
Writing exclusively for TVBEurope, Carrie Wootten, co-founder of The Global Media and Entertainment Manifesto, details the need for the media tech industry to find a more diverse workforce who can plug the skills shortage
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Writing exclusively for TVBEurope, Carrie Wootten, co-founder of The Global Media and Entertainment Manifesto, details the need for the media tech industry to find a more diverse workforce who can plug the skills shortage
https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/skills-and-diversity-arent-a-priority-right-now-why-the-media-technology-industry-needs-to-take-action title=Share via Email class=share-email>
This is a conversation I have had since the World Skills Caf was launched a few months ago. And although I don't agree with this statement, I do understand why it is being made. The precarious position the industry is in, alongside the rapid innovation and focus on technologies such as AI and cloud technology, is all-consuming for companies who are not only fighting to develop and embed these innovations but who are also simply trying to stay alive. The saying survive to 25' has been ringing in many people's ears for months now.
Companies are making people redundant, some in the glaring light of the industry, others more quietly, but either way the impact on people's lives is clear to see. Other businesses are looking at how AI can be implemented effectively and immediately to drive cost-savings across their pipelines, whilst some are just waiting for a greenlight commission, which currently seem very few and far between. And all of this is happening simultaneously during one of the biggest sporting summers.
Global Media & Entertainment Talent Manifesto aims to address media technology skills crisis
Simply put, there just isn't the headspace, budget or resources to focus on skills or diversity and inclusion as much as there was five years ago - perhaps even two years ago. However, juxtaposing this is the fact that within the recent IABM Talent Shortages in MediaTech report, 80 per cent of respondents stated that they were still finding it very difficult to recruit technical and engineering staff. That is a staggering figure, but a quick search on many companies' careers webpages will show you that this is indeed the case. The dichotomy is real and is being felt across the industry.
Furthermore, the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre reported in early 2024 that over 90 per cent of people in the creative industries are white. In terms of managerial positions, 70 per cent are men, with only one per cent being black. And yet we know that diversity is vital for innovation, product development, and improving the bottom line. A McKinsey & Company study found that companies with more than 30 per cent female executives were more likely to outperform companies that only had between 10 to 30 per cent. In the case of ethnic and cultural diversity, the same survey found that top-quartile companies outperformed those in the fourth quartile by 36 per cent in profitability.
The current situation that the media technology industry finds itself in is a complex one but one that needs to be addressed head-on. We can't stop the push for a more diverse workforce, and we ignore the skills crisis at our peril. The lack of clarity around career pathways, learning & development, remuneration and technology convergence are huge factors that impact how attractive the industry is to the outside world and to others already in it. All of these issues directly affect the shortage of people within technical and engineering roles across the sector and explain why we see such high figures being collated in the IABM report. Alongside this, although the industry is now acutely aware of the lack of diversity across the sector with great strides being made around gender diversity over the last eight years, there is also a huge chasm when we look at other diversity characteristics and representation including, but not limited to, ethnic, disability, LGBTQ+ and socio-economic characteristics. It is time to change this and be honest about our shocking lack of representation in so many areas.
World Skills Caf The World Skills Caf will be a hands-on interactive session designed to understand and unpick some of these issues and critically ensure we have commitments from every person and company in the room that will see action taken over the next year. There will be time to understand at what levels of seniority we need more technical people, in what job roles and where geographically these gaps exist. In addition to this, we will also be looking at how we can attract and retain more diverse communities into our dynamic and brilliant industry. The solutions aren't going to be easy and one size won't fit all either. But this session will hopefully give everyone the time to discuss these issues in detail and provide the breathing space to really consider what actions and steps need to be taken and how we can work collectively together.
As I mentioned early on, I am very aware of the challenges that the industry is facing at the moment, but if we continue to cut funding, investment and support for skills and diversity, I have no doubt that the industry will be in a worse position and have taken a step back in its drive for a more diverse workforce.
If you would like to join the World Skills Caf on Thursday 12th September at IBC2024, RAI Amsterdam, you can register here: https://www.mediatalentmanifesto.com/
Most recent headlines
11/12/2025
Dalet, a leading provider of cloud-native, end-to-end media workflow solutions, ...
03/12/2025
CINCINNATI GatesAir has introduced Maxiva XTK, an update to its Maxiva XTE software-defined TV exciter. XTK is a new cost-efficient model primarily developed fo...
03/12/2025
WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications is partnering with Haivision, a global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual collaboratio...
03/12/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has opened a docket for comments on the proposed $6.2 billion Nexstar acquisition for Tegna and set deadlines f...
03/12/2025
MILAN, Italy Brightcove has released seven new features designed to expand global reach, improve audience engagement, enhance live-streaming quality and streaml...
03/12/2025
NEW YORK Great American Media said it plans to launch Pure Flix Familia, a dedicated Spanish-language platform, in 2026....
03/12/2025
SOUTHPORT, Conn. Main Street Sports Group has announced that the FanDuel Sports Network app is now available directly on Vizio and on smart TVs with Vizio OS. T...
03/12/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. Harmonic has announced that Telia, the second-largest telecom operator in Norway, is modernizing its broadband network with the company's c...
03/12/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. Sinclair said Jay Zollar, vice president and general manager of WLUK-WCWF here, will retire Dec. 31 after 26 years running the stations. Station...
03/12/2025
S an Nollaig
Celebrate 2025's top Irish sporting stars with RT Sport Awards live from RT Studios on RT One and RT Player
RT pays tribute to Ror...
02/12/2025
Case Study: How Mid-Atlantic Sports Network Moved to All-IP Distribution in 60 D...
02/12/2025
2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Lee Corso, Coach, Commentator, FirebrandBy Ken Kerschbaumer
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - 7:00 am
Print This Story | S...
02/12/2025
SVG All-Stars: Dan Nabors, Senior Director, Remote Engineering, TNT SportsThe veteran tech leader is helping guide Warner Bros. Discovery's at-home' re...
02/12/2025
National Lacrosse League Opens Season With New Cloud-Based Official Replay-Revie...
02/12/2025
Platinum White Paper: The Cinematic Look in Live Production - Bridging Aesthetic...
02/12/2025
SVG India Announces Advisory Board; JioStar's Prashant Khanna Named ChairmanBy Ken Kerschbaumer
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - 11:15 am
Print This Story |...
02/12/2025
SVG Summit 2025 Preview: New AI Production Tools Workshop' Features ESPN, F...
02/12/2025
Written and directed by Hailey Gates, Atropia won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival....
02/12/2025
The lightweight and highly portable CORVUS-RAVEN, recently demonstrated at the V...
02/12/2025
The lightweight, rugged Panther 2 tri-band VSAT delivers high-speed data communications for Internet, VPN connectivity and video transmission over commercial an...
02/12/2025
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
02/12/2025
NGID volunteers in the United States
NGID volunteers in Mexico
NGID volunteers in India
NGID volunteers in Spain
NGID volunteers in Australia
NGID voluntee...
02/12/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has issued a reminder that stations in DMAs 111 through 120 must implement its audio descrip...
02/12/2025
SAN DIEGO Sony Electronics today introduced the Alpha 7 V (ILCE-7M5), the fifth generation of its Alpha 7 full-frame mirrorless lineup, powered by the newly dev...
02/12/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has opened a docket for comments on Nexstar Media Group's proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna and se...
02/12/2025
WASHINGTON The National Association of Broadcasters has added a trio of media executives, Veronica Rodriguez, Matt Schnaars and Jeff Warshaw, to its board of di...
02/12/2025
MILAN, Italy Brightcove has released seven new features designed to expand global reach, improve audience engagement, enhance live-streaming quality and streaml...
02/12/2025
BCNEXXT, the developers of the advanced playout platform Vipe, today announced a new Service Provider Partner agreement with NPC Media, the Australian managed p...
02/12/2025
DPA Microphones today announces the immediate availability of its new N-Series Digital Wireless Microphone System for customers throughout the U.S. In addition ...
02/12/2025
Hiltron Communications reports a well attended and successful Space Tech Expo exhibition, held at the Messe Bremen from Tuesday November 18 through Thursday Nov...
02/12/2025
The beginning of September saw Riverfire by Australian Retirement Trust, in association with Channel 9 and Triple M, kick off the 2025 Brisbane Festival in spec...
02/12/2025
SGM Lighting is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with ACT Entertainment, under which ACT will serve as the exclusive distributor for SGM's ne...
02/12/2025
Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced that Telia, the second largest telecom operator in Norway, is modernizing its broadband network with the company's i...
02/12/2025
European cloud data protection specialist Keepit is expanding its sales network in the DACH region and has gained TIM AG, one of the leading value-added distrib...
02/12/2025
Featured products at ISE 2026
This year s ISE 2026 theme "Push Beyond" reflects Calrec s direction of travel. The company is dedicated to supporting the AV an...
02/12/2025
Czech Television, the national public broadcaster, has deployed one of the largest LiveU live production projects in the region for live sports and news coverag...
02/12/2025
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics, has announced the release of v8.2 software for its ZEN and ZEN-W Series, bringing advanced cinematic camera se...
02/12/2025
Global provider of video streaming software and services, Accedo, and OTT platform provider, Magine Pro, have signed a binding agreement to carve out and merge ...
02/12/2025
With proven success in broadcast, OTT, and content supply chains, K.S Avinash set to scale Skandha's service-first approach across APAC
Skandha Media Servi...
02/12/2025
AJA Video Systems has joined the RAVENNA community, a network of partners devoted to advancing the RAVENNA standard for distributing real-time audio over intern...
02/12/2025
HUNT VALLEY, Md. Sinclair and its wholly-owned subsidiary One Media Technologies have released a new report focused on how ATSC 3.0, the IP-based NextGen TV sta...
02/12/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has issued a reminder that stations in DMAs 111 through 120 must implement its audio descrip...
02/12/2025
WASHINGTON Members of the Advanced Television Systems Committee have elected four industry veterans to three-year terms on the organization's board of direc...
02/12/2025
A new survey from S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan highlights how important social media is for younger consumers, with Gen Z spending 5.1 hours a day on so...
02/12/2025
Faculty Notes: Fall/Winter 2025 Recent accomplishments, releases, and events by Berklee faculty.
December 1, 2025
By
Editorial Staff
The cast of Kind of M...
02/12/2025
Today, Mistral AI announced the Mistral 3 family of open-source multilingual, multimodal models, optimized across NVIDIA supercomputing and edge platforms.
M...
02/12/2025
Ring In The Holidays With Our Biggest Sale Ever On Ivory II Pianos!From now until December 31st, you can save 50% or more on every Ivory II piano and collection...
02/12/2025
Back to All News
Made in America: How Stranger Things' Electrified the US Economy
Entertainment
02 December 2025
GlobalUnited States
Link copied to cl...
02/12/2025
Back to All News
Culinary Class Wars' Season 2 Trailer Teases New Rules, R...
Writing exclusively for TVBEurope, Carrie Wootten, co-founder of The Global Media and Entertainment Manifesto, details the need for the media tech industry to find a more diverse workforce who can plug the skills shortage
