
Mitch Glazier
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Mitch Glazier & Michele Ballantyne Begin 2019 As RIAA's New Leaders
Change is in the air for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the trade body comprising the major music labels. Following the Dec. 31 retirement of its Chairman/CEO Cary Sherman, on Jan. 2 the RIAA welcomed its new leadership — Mitch Glazier is now Chairman/CEO and Michele Ballantyne is the new Chief Operating Officer.
The RIAA certifies Gold and Platinum sales achievements, such as recognition for Twenty One Pilots' Blurryface being all Gold singles. They also engage in national advocacy work and pursue litigation to protect not only record companies' interests but intellectual property and copyright law more broadly.
"I am honored to lead the RIAA during these exciting times as we fight for a music ecosystem that works for everybody," said Glazier, "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."
Glazier began his intellectual property work as a senior staffer on the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. He steps into his new roles having served previously as the RIAA's president.
The new chief operating officer, Michele Ballantyne served as Senator Tom Daschle's General Counsel, as Special Assistant for President Bill Clinton, and as Special Counsel for John Podesta while he was serving as White House Chief of Staff.
"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," said Ballantyne. "I look forward to advocating on behalf of our great community."