This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Industry People Labels & Publishers
ASCAP announces Brian Roberts as new COO
By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 5 March 2015
Guess who has a new COO. No, guess. No, go on, guess. Look, it’s no fun if you refuse to guess. You’re not going to? Really? You’re really not going to? OK, it’s ASCAP. Happy now? How about you guess who it is? Go on. It’s actually not that tricky to work this one out. No? You’re no fun. Well, if you must know, it’s Brian Roberts. Yes, formerly of Warner Music and perhaps best known for appearing in the last paragraph of this story.
“ASCAP is embarking upon a new era of technology and transformation in order to continue to provide first in class services at the lowest possible cost to all of our members and licensing partners”, said Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of the song rights collecting society. “Brian’s extensive experience in the music sector and his impressive accomplishments in leading innovative infrastructure changes to support new strategic initiatives make him the perfect candidate to run ASCAP’s operations today. Brian also shares my passion for music and the need to protect the value of the creative works of our members. We look forward to having his expertise as part of ASCAP’s new executive management team”.
Roberts himself added: “ASCAP is an innovative organisation focused on strategic data initiatives that will make a difference to the lives of music creators and licensees worldwide. I am excited to join Beth and her team at ASCAP. I believe that ASCAP is at the centre of driving core change in the music industry which will benefit songwriters, composers, music publishers, licensees and music fans alike”. And I bet they have great door signs.
Roberts will officially start his new job on 30 Mar, joining just as ASCAP reports it scored over $1 billion in revenues last year. A record breaking achievement. So he can pretend the party mood is for him. Then he can get on with getting bogged down with all the tedious nonsense and litigation and lobbying that is surrounding collective licensing Stateside just now. Fun!
