Vitality Finding the right benefits solutions will help calm an unstable labor market. As workers continue to leave the industry for other fields, the skilled labor shortage will continue to challenge the entertainment and sports sector. The industry faces a deficit of experience and institutional knowledge that is impossible to replace. Already in short supply, many ancillary workers such as special effects experts, set designers and production accountants left the industry during the 2023 writers and actors strike for opportunities outside entertainment and 8 have not returned to their previous careers. gigs and self-fund their retirement, making financial The fallout from this ongoing shortage has allowed education important. workers to be more selective in choosing their gigs, often demanding several months’ notice in advance before And with grueling travel schedules and long hours, agreeing to take a job. people in the entertainment and sports industry disproportionately suffer from mental health issues. The lack of available talent may be one reason that the Performing arts workers are twice as likely to suffer industry needs greater productivity from individual from depression than the rest of the population, while employees: 73% of entertainment and sports respondents individuals employed in the arts, design, entertainment 9 to the HUB International 2025 Outlook Executive Survey and sports business have the third-highest rate of suicide listed employee productivity as a top HR priority in 2025, 10 compared with other industries. higher than any other option. Similarly, the overall cost of medical benefits (65%) and recruiting (56%) were the That means entertainment and sports operations need next-highest listed priorities. to put a special emphasis on mental wellbeing through benefits. Delivering personalized benefits plans derived To combat the shortage, entertainment and sports using tools like HUB Workforce Persona Analysis can help organizations are increasing their focus on employee organizations find the right mix of benefits that will help benefits, including health insurance, financial wellbeing optimize recruiting, retention and engagement. programs and retirement options. But the benefits needed to attract and retain talent will need to be personalized for individual employees. 8. Imagine Communications, “Bridging the skills gap: Addressing the talent shortage in the media and entertainment,” June 28, 2024. For instance, live events crews are often older and aging 9. HUB’s Outlook Executive Survey polled 900 C-Suite and VP-level out of the workforce, having been attached to festivals executives on the issues facing them on profitability, employee vitality and organizational resilience. and entertainers for many years. Younger workers coming 10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Suicide Data and into the business are often more attuned to their benefits Statistics,” accessed September 16, 2024. needs than previous generations. Given the transient nature of the entertainment and sports business, many workers must prepare for interruptions in pay between 4