Leaders in EDI: The Music & Events industry (with WME’s Jordan Hallpike)

A perspective on the music & events industry from the man who brought #Merky Festival to Ibiza before making his mark at the world’s leading talent agency.

Leaders in EDI shines a light on the progress being made and the challenges being faced in the equity, diversity and inclusion space across sport and neighbouring industries. This season of the Leaders in EDI podcast series will feature perspectives from outside of the sports industry to develop a more holistic view of the EDI sector, to discuss what specific challenges other industries face, and to understand what we can learn from how they tackle them.

This episode features Jordan Hallpike speaking on the music and events industry. Hallpike holds the unique title of Crossover agent at WME, a world-class entertainment agency whose music roster features the likes of Adele, Bruno Mars, The Killers and Olivia Rodrigo. Prior to starting his current role in April 2022, wherein he facilitates new creative opportunities for WME’s esteemed roster of talent, Hallpike held the position of Director of Talent and Programming at Ibiza Rocks group. Having first joined the organisation in 2011, throughout his time there Jordan oversaw the expansion of Ibiza Rocks events from evening events to pool parties - successfully launching a residency with Craig David - and went on to conceptualise the #Merky Festival, which quickly became an Ibiza staple. Hallpike has also co-founded Applebum events (which celebrate Black and street culture) and creative design studio Midnight Movement.

The insightful and engaging conversation, beginning at 5:07, includes talk of socioeconomic barriers to entry, the glass ceiling for minorities, gender imbalance and where the sports industry is learning from the music industry – as well as discussions on platforming artists from all backgrounds, and helping them to forge a brand and legacy.