(CelebrityAccess News Service) — Hilary B. Rosen, outgoing chairman and chief executive officer of the Recording Industry Association of America, has joined CNBC as commentator.
Rosen, who will assume her new role on August 1, will
appear once a week on “Squawk Box” (M-F, 7-10 a.m. ET); “Open Exchange with Tyler Mathisen” (M-F, 2-3 p.m. ET) and “Capital Report with Alan Murray and Gloria Borger” (T-F, 9-10 p.m. ET) to discuss political and regulatory issues as they portend to the media, entertainment and the information industries
Rosen will be stepping down from her RIAA post effective July 1. According to RIAA president Cary Sherman, Rosen will continue with the RIAA as a consultant for one year to both the RIAA board and staff.
Sherman will run the organization until a permanent replacement for Rosen is named. “Hilary has been the recording industry’s tireless advocate for countless unprecedented changes in our business," said Sherman. "We have much to thank her for and will continue to rely on her expertise in the future.”
“I am proud of the industry’s accomplishments in the last several years, particularly as it has dealt with the challenges of the digital age," says Rosen. "I have every hope and expectation that the business plans being implemented by our member companies as well as the multiple anti-piracy strategies being employed by RIAA and the industry will bring the music business to new heights. This has been an extraordinary and wonderful experience, one that is hard to leave, but I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family. The organization could not be in better hands with Cary Sherman remaining with RIAA and handling the transition. He is absolutely first rate.”
“Hilary is a recognized and respected authority on media, politics and the information industries,” said Thomas-Graham, president and CEO of CNBC. “Her addition to our roster of unparalleled journalists and commentators is just another example of CNBC’s continued dedication to adding further depth and breadth to our Business Day and Primetime programming.”
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work with the great executives, journalists and other contributors at CNBC," said Rosen. "Over the years, I have developed expertise in the growth and challenges continually facing the world of entertainment, media and technology and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with the viewers of CNBC. CNBC creates the best nexus for business news, policy and politics, so it feels like a natural fit."
Rosen has been with the RIAA, a trade group representing the $12 billion U.S. sound recording industry, as a senior executive for 16 years. Under her leadership, the RIAA has become a guiding force in developing a legitimate marketplace for digital music and reinforcing copyright as a core American value. A key player in the transition to an online music market, Rosen has become well known for encouraging the creation of new business models for the delivery of music and assuring the legal environment for compensation in those new formats.
A veteran lobbyist on Capitol Hill, Rosen has long been respected for her knowledge of the political and legislative process. She works to ensure that lawmakers at every level of government are listening to the concerns of the industry and its artists. In 1998, her leadership role led to the U.S. ratification of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties benefiting American creators by requiring nations around the world to strengthen their copyright laws and adoption of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that updated copyright standards for the digital age.
Prior to joining the RIAA in 1987, Rosen operated her own consulting firm. She also worked as a vice president for the lobbying firm of Liz Robbins Associates representing a diverse array of clients on Capitol Hill including public interest groups, local governments and investment banking. Earlier in her career, Rosen worked for former governor Brendan Byrne (D-NJ). She has served on the transition teams of U.S. senators Bill Bradley (D-NJ) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
Rosen is also a founder and current board member of Rock the Vote, an organization that encourages young people to become more involved in the political process. She also serves on many non-profit boards including The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Kaiser Family Foundation, Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., National Music Council, the National Cancer Foundation, and the Meridian International Center.
Rosen appears regularly on various, influential year-end power lists including Entertainment Weekly’s "Annual Power List of the 101 Most Influential People In Entertainment" and The Hollywood Reporter’s “Power 50.” She was also named one of Digital Coast Magazine “50 Most Important People in the Convergence between Entertainment and Technology, and, in 2001, The Industry Standard selected her as one of 21 executives who most artfully navigated through the past 12 months of technology turmoil.
Rosen holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business from George Washington University and lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland with her partner, Elizabeth Birch and their two children.
As President, Sherman will run the organization until a permanent replacement for Rosen is named. “Hilary has been the recording industry’s tireless advocate for countless unprecedented changes in our business," said Sherman. "We have much to thank her for and will continue to rely on her expertise in the future.”
Rosen stated, “I am proud of the industry’s accomplishments in the last several years, particularly as it has dealt with the challenges of the digital age. I have every hope and expectation that the business plans being implemented by our member companies as well as the multiple anti-piracy strategies being employed by RIAA and the industry will bring the music business to new heights. This has been an extraordinary and wonderful experience, one that is hard to leave, but I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family. The organization could not be in better hands with Cary Sherman remaining with RIAA and handling the transition. He is absolutely first rate.”
Rosen, a 17-year veteran of the RIAA, was named CEO in 1998. Rosen has been the recording industry’s chief advocate and spokesperson during a time of unprecedented change in the music business. A permanent replacement for RIAA Chairman and CEO is currently being conducted by the executive search firm Korn/Ferry. — edited by Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
