Mitch Glazier has officially taken the helm as the chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Michele Ballantyne has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the music industry trade group.
Mitch Glazier & Michele Ballantyne. Courtesy of: RIAA
Originally announced in April of 2017, Mitch Glazier succeeds Cary Sherman, who retired earlier this year after more than two decades with the organization.
Glazier joined RIAA in 2000. Prior to that, he helped to co-author the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act, which assures that music creators are compensated for use of their music by digital partners. Most recently, he helped build the coalition that mobilized to enact the Music Modernization Act (MMA).
Ballantyne joined the RIAA following a tenure working as Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton, Special Counsel to then-White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, and as General Counsel for Senator Tom Daschle.
Commenting on his appointment, Glazier said in a statement: “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. 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.”
“I’m excited to be part of this new leadership team at such an incredibly dynamic and important time,” added Ballantyne. “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.”