DAWN BIRR | SENNHEISER, CUSTOMER & MARKET INSIGHTS MANAGER
Dawn Birr has been with Sennheiser for over 20 years, starting her career at the company right out of college. Throughout her tenure, she has held ten roles spanning product and channel management, sales, marketing, and her current position as Customer & Market Insights Manager.
“Sennheiser was my first real job out of college, and I became very familiar with the audio industry,” says Birr. “I’ve worked across live sound, studio, and integrated systems markets, and in roles that are both customer- and product-facing.”
Her extensive experience across departments uniquely equips her for her current role, where she analyzes market trends and consumer data to guide business strategies. “Having worked in so many areas, I can approach market analysis from multiple perspectives, which has been invaluable,” she explains.
To stay current, Birr immerses herself in live music, follows industry leaders, and utilizes resources like Mix SmartBrief and SoundGirls. She emphasizes the importance of networking and continuous learning, advising newcomers to leverage the many online resources available today and build genuine professional relationships.
A vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in audio, Birr serves on the Advisory Board for The WiMN (Women’s International Music Network) and is a member of SoundGirls. Reflecting on her experiences as a woman in the industry, she advises, “Be your own strongest advocate and always be prepared to stand up for yourself. Incremental changes can lead to lasting progress.”
Birr has contributed significantly as a PAMA member, co-authoring the “PAMA Recommendations for Neutral Nomenclature in Pro Audio,” aimed at fostering inclusivity. She sees PAMA as a catalyst for industry evolution, offering a platform for collaboration and advocacy among forward-thinking companies like Sennheiser.
