ASCAP (The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers) has appointed veteran media and operations executive Marc Zelanko as its new Chief of Staff.
He will report directly to CEO Elizabeth Matthews.
Zelanko joins the organization after more than two decades in senior operational and strategic roles across Paramount Global (formerly Viacom, CBS, MTV Networks).
His background spans business operations, transformation, partnerships, and executive-level program management, experience ASCAP says will support its mission to boost revenues and improve efficiencies for its 1.1 million songwriter, composer and publisher members.
“Marc is the perfect fit to help ASCAP deliver on our mission to grow revenues and drive efficiencies for the benefit of our more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers,” said Matthews.
“He brings a wealth of experience working cross-functionally to lead complex global initiatives, and we are excited to add him to our senior leadership team.”
Zelanko added: “ASCAP has a mindset of innovation and evolution to meet the changing needs of its members and licensees. I look forward to bringing my expertise to ASCAP’s mission in support of improving the future for its songwriters, composers and music publishers.”
During his tenure at Paramount Global, Zelanko led a wide range of high-level initiatives, including orchestrating CEO-level senior leadership forums, the company-wide COVID Task Force, which maintained operations for more than 15,000 US employees, and a redesign of HR processes aimed at reducing organizational risk.
He also coordinated the Viacom Marketing Council and played a key role in scaling Scratch, the creative consultancy incubated within MTV. Earlier in his career, he worked in Booz Allen Hamilton’s Media & Entertainment Group.
“ASCAP has a mindset of innovation and evolution to meet the changing needs of its members and licensees.”
Marc Zelanko
Zelanko holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
The appointment arrives as ASCAP continues to post record financial results. In 2024, the US PRO reported revenues of $1.835 billion and $1.696 billion available for royalty distributions, marking nearly a decade of consistent year-over-year growth.
Recent developments include ASCAP securing higher rates in its settlement with US radio broadcasters, the expansion of the Songview database after SESAC and GMR joined ASCAP and BMI’s platform, and a policy update that now allows the registration of partially AI-generated musical works alongside BMI and SOCAN.Music Business Worldwide