Changes At The Top As RIAA Sees “Bright Future”

The Recording Industry Association of America today announced that Cary Sherman has been named chairman and CEO amid claims that the music industry is looking up. Sherman takes over for Mitch Bainwol, who resigned to become CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

RIAA also announced that Mitch Glazier has been appointed senior executive vice president, where he will continue to lead RIAA’s involvement with the US Congress as well as other responsibilities. Glazier began his career in public policy as copyright counsel to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (Republican, Illinois), and for the past 11 years has been in charge of government relations at RIAA.

Sherman, who was named by the RIAA Board of Directors to take his new post on 1 September, has served as RIAA president since 2001, and joined the organisation as general counsel in 1997.

In a release, Sherman signalled the continued policy focus of RIAA on finding new business models, but also on strong copyright enforcement. Corporate music organisations have fought since the advent of the internet to keep copyrighted content from flowing without authorisation into consumer hands, and some believe a breaking point is near. But RIAA said things are going their way.

“I’m honored to take on this role at such a pivotal moment for music,” said Sherman. “The industry is now reaching a new stage, with exciting initiatives, compelling legal music offerings, and real signs of progress on a host of fronts.”

“Setting the legislative agenda at both national and state levels, working to protect and promote intellectual property in the U.S. and throughout the world, coordinating with law enforcement on both physical and digital theft, and representing the industry in negotiations and before government tribunals to empower new business models and standards – all of these are vital functions and I look forward to taking them on,” he said.

Bainwol said in the statement: “I leave content that we’ve set the table for a prosperous future for music. Our landscape is radically changed from the one we faced when I joined the RIAA eight years ago. The Internet is the foundation of a new music economy. We’ve helped to create an environment where new business models can thrive – with an extensive number of licensed services that allow consumers to experience and consume music in exciting new ways. We’ve also made significant headway in the battle against unauthorized sites such as LimeWire. We’ve entered into a new age of partnership with ISPs [internet service providers]. And we’ve established rates and precedents that will ensure greater compensation for recording artists and record companies. The future is bright.”

RIAA credited Sherman with coordinating the recent landmark “copyright alerts” program between a number of large US ISPs and the music and film industries.

As President, Sherman has coordinated the industry’s legal, policy and business objectives in the areas of technology, licensing, enforcement, and government affairs issues, among others.

Sherman, who graduated from Cornell University and Harvard Law School, came to RIAA after 26 years at law firm Arnold & Porter, including as outside counsel to RIAA.

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