The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has promoted Mitch Glazier to president of the organisation, before taking on the role of chairman and CEO in January 2019.
Existing chair and CEO, Cary Sherman, will retire from the organisation at the end of 2018, having enjoyed a 40-plus year career as one of the music industry’s most revered business and policy experts.
Glazier, currently senior executive vice president, will become chairman and CEO on January 1, 2019, after 18-plus years with the organisation. During that time he has managed the RIAA’s public policy and industry relations teams, developing numerous initiatives that have helped the US music market evolve into a fully digital industry with a robust set of property rights protections.
“Mitch brings that rare combination of policy chops, political sophistication and a forward-looking view of the business that we need to succeed,” said Jeffrey Harleston, general counsel and executive vice president of business and legal affairs for Universal Music Group. “A proven advocate who works well with those across the music community and our partners, Mitch is more than ready to take the next step in leadership. Needless to say, he has large shoes to fill. For more than 40 years, Cary has served as a selfless leader helping to steer the organization through a daunting series of legal and policy issues. We owe him enormously, thank him and wish him all the best; we are pleased that he will serve through this seamless transition.”
“A seasoned policy expert, Mitch is adept at translating complex recorded music industry issues into layman's terms,” said Paul Robinson, EVP and general counsel, Warner Music Group. “We are pleased and honored that Mitch has agreed to become Cary's successor, as it is a rare person who could take on this unique role and build on the RIAA’s achievements. Cary’s peerless work has helped strengthen the rights of creators through groundbreaking legal victories, enactment of pro-creator legislation and important industry partnerships.”
“Mitch is a talented advocate for the music business, and we are fortunate he has agreed to become CEO of the RIAA,” added Julie Swidler, EVP, business affairs and general counsel, Sony Music Entertainment. “He’s a savvy and strategic thinker who will help lead our community as we navigate an always challenging political landscape. We owe a debt of gratitude to Cary for his thoughtful and effective leadership, and we are fortunate to have both Cary and Mitch for another 21 months until Mitch takes over in 2019.”
“This is an appropriate moment to recognise Cary,” added Neil Portnow, president/CEO of The Recording Academy. “For the many years that I’ve known him, Cary has always listened, respected the views of the entire music community, and worked to develop a unified approach to complex issues. Cary is an industry thought leader with a deep knowledge of our business, and has played a key role in many of the industry’s strides and accomplishments over the past three decades. We are fortunate to have his highly respected and thoughtful leadership through the end of 2018, and offer our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Mitch on his promotion.”
