Sony Music Publishing (SMP) has promoted Michael Riggs to Senior Vice President, Licensing & Income Tracking, effective immediately.
Riggs is based in Nashville and will continue to report to Dale Esworthy, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration at SMP.
According to the company, Riggs will also continue to lead the Licensing, Sync Administration, Global Income Tracking and Client Audit teams.
In the expanded role, his remit will include strengthening tracking operations and improving matching capabilities for digital licensing deals in the US and internationally.
Riggs has been with SMP for nearly three decades, having joined the company as an Income Tracking Analyst. Over that period, he has worked across digital royalty tracking, collections and licensing functions, collaborating with global teams to streamline payment processes for songwriters and publishing clients.
“I’m honored to work alongside such exceptional leaders and colleagues at SMP, who care deeply about our people and songwriters.”
Michael Riggs
Commenting on his appointment, Riggs said: “I’m honored to work alongside such exceptional leaders and colleagues at SMP, who care deeply about our people and songwriters. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I look forward to advancing our support for our incredible songwriters and clients in this new role.”
Dale Esworthy, Sony Music Publishing Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration, added: “Michael’s unwavering persistence in the digital space has strengthened our ability to collect more, collect faster, and ensure timely payments to our songwriters.
“Michael’s unwavering persistence in the digital space has strengthened our ability to collect more, collect faster, and ensure timely payments to our songwriters.”
Dale Esworthy, SMP
“His relentless pursuit of unpaid royalties and leadership in licensing emerging revenue streams have been invaluable to our mission, and I am thrilled to recognize him with this promotion.”
The appointment follows a series of recent senior leadership changes at Sony Music Publishing.
In February, the company promoted Greg Prata to Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Tom Kelly, who announced plans to retire after a 35-year career. That same month, SMP appointed Roslyn Pineda as President, Asia, succeeding Carol Ng, who is set to retire at the end of March 2026.
In November, SMP promoted Dee Hale to SVP, Film & TV Administration, and Michael Young to Chief Information Officer.
The leadership changes come amid broader strategic activity at the publisher.
Last month, Sony Music Publishing opened a new flagship office in the Philippines, appointing Stephanie Ortiz as General Manager.
The company also entered into a global partnership with Animaj, under which The Orchard’s children’s division Magic Star will distribute recordings from Animaj’s catalogue, while Sony Music Publishing administers its publishing rights worldwide.
Earlier this year, Sony Music Publishing Nashville partnered with Domain Capital Group to acquire the catalog of Miranda Lambert.
The company also signed producer and songwriter Jon Buscema to a global publishing deal in partnership with Daniel Nigro’s Amusement venture and acquired independent publishing and artist development company Big Yellow Dog Music.Music Business Worldwide