POWER 50 2025: Maria Amato (Australian Independent Record Labels Association)

BACKGROUND CHECK:

Maria Amato is the CEO of the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) and treasurer of the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN). With a career spanning over three decades in the arts and not-for-profit sector, Amato has established herself as an expert in finance management, leadership and governance. Her extensive experience includes former non-executive director roles for organisations such as the Adelaide UNESCO City Of Music, the Australian Institute of Music, Music Victoria, and as an Anchor Board member for the Reeperbahn Festival. She is known for her passionate and solution-focused approach, consistently viewing industry challenges as valuable opportunities for learning and growth.

Her influence on the global stage was cemented in February 2022 when she was elected as the first woman and the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to chair the board of WIN. Domestically, she continues to drive significant initiatives, including overseeing AIR's Women in Music mentor program, which underscores her dedication to fostering professional development and collaboration within the independent music community. 

THE YEAR IN AUSTRALIAN MUSIC:

AIR put on another great AIR Awards and Indie-Con as it becomes even more important in the Australian landscape. As more and more Australian artists are choosing to release records independently, AIR has the challenge of servicing an ever-growing membership of microbusinesses while also supporting larger indies through what is a challenging domestic business environment. 

Her strong advocacy against copyright exclusions for AI and criticism of Universal’s takeover bid for Downtown are just some of the issues she has spoken out against on behalf of her members over the last year. 

THE MUSIC SPEAKS:

Maria Amato and her tiny team must balance the day to day support and professional development members who expect high level advocacy that will shape the future. With no time for nonsense, she’s not one to hide her opinion or be afraid to speak truth to power. 

Speaking up on Universal’s takeover bid for Downtown to a global audience, she said: “Whilst we are in favour of free enterprise, monopolies dominate market forces and remove the ability to compete. There must be regulation to ensure that Universal who is already the largest music business in the world with a large stake in Spotify does not dictate prices and the ability for artists and labels to negotiate fair and equitable terms.”

There’s a reason Maria has been almost two decades at AIR in various capacities and is coming up on ten years in the big chair next year. It’s because she’s effective.