Glazier Takes The Reins At RIAA

Mitch Glazier has been promoted to President of The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and will ascend to the lofty position of Chairman & CEO on January 1, 2019. Cary Sherman, the RIAA’s current Chairman & CEO will retire from the organization at the end of 2018 after a storied 40-plus-year career. Glazier is an 18-year RIAA veteran who is currently Senior Executive Vice President. Before joining the RIAA, Glazier served as Chief Counsel for intellectual property to the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of the charity Musicians on Call.

“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 EVP of Business & 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.”

Julie Swidler, EVP of Business Affairs and General Counsel, Sony Music Entertainment remarked, “Mitch is a talented advocate for the music business, and we are fortunate he has agreed to become CEO of the RIAA. 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.”