Mitch Glazier, formerly a senior staffer with the House Judiciary Committee, has been appointed CEO and chairman of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the organization announced on Wednesday. Glazier replaces Cary Sherman in the role. Glazier’s promotion from president to CEO/chairman was first reported in 2017.
The RIAA also promoted Michele Ballantyne to chief operating officer, effective immediately.
“Music matters. It shapes our culture. It inspires generations young and young at heart. It makes us who we are and binds diverse communities together,” Glazier said in a statement. “I am honored to lead the RIAA during these exciting times as we fight for a music ecosystem that works for everybody – from artists and fans to labels and publishers and songwriters and music services alike. That will require that we both embrace digital music innovations, and protect what has always made music great – keeping the dream alive for the next generation of artists and music creators.”
As a senior House Judiciary Committee staffer, Glazier helped pass legislation that paved the way for the streaming economy, including helping author the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act to assure that music creators are compensated for use of their music by digital partners.
He also recently helped enact the Music Modernization Act, which streamlines the music-licensing process to make it easier for rights holders to get paid when their music is streamed online.
Ballantyne previously worked as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton, special counsel to then-White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, and as General Counsel for former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.). She has pushed for updating intellectual property laws and in advocating for congressional reforms on the MMA, the PRO-IP Act that established the nation’s first Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator in the executive office, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 that provided colleges and universities with meaningful tools to reduce the illegal downloading of copyrighted works on campuses.
“Michele has been a champion for music – a steady hand known for her knowledge of government, her sound judgment, unmatched policy chops, and unflappable determination to develop winning public policy campaigns,” Glazier said. “Simply put, there is no one better suited to help lead the RIAA and no one I would rather have at my side than Michele. Together, we look forward to working with RIAA’s member companies, the music community, our creative industry allies, and fans everywhere.”
“I’m excited to be part of this new leadership team at such an incredibly dynamic and important time,” Ballantyne said. “By staying true to music and its creators even as we embrace change, we can help the men and women of the music industry achieve great things. I look forward to advocating on behalf of our great community.”