Rick Riccobono (International Rights Licensing Consultant)
A thirty year music business veteran, Rick spent the majority of his career in music publishing and music rights related ventures. As Vice President of National Creative Affairs at major music publisher CBS Songs, Rick helped establish its international presence in the world marketplace and was instrumental in the acquisition of global powerhouse United Artist Music. At CBS Songs Rick was integral in the earning of numerous awards of excellence including many BMI and ASCAP performance certificates. He went on to become Vice President of Broadcast Music Inc. Western Region and Australia where he oversaw the daily activities of performing rights as they related to repertory, new music and TV and Film.
In 1998 he was recruited to become the Chief Music Officer (and considered first executive to have that title) at digital distribution music start-up Supertracks. There he coordinated a master use licensing deal with EMI International and was responsible for building out the international retail on-line distribution channel and rights licensing country by country in the EU. While at Supertracks Rick was able to create new strategic partnerships and alliances while strengthening existing relationships in the international licensing community. These relationships were to serve him well after he left Supertracks to consult for a variety of new on-line music related ventures including Napster, Sun MicoSystems, Philips/Sony Corporate Alliance, SK Wireless, Groove Mobile and Universal Music Groups VuNet. Over a seven-year span Rick was instrumental in the creation of new international licensing agreements for mobile initiatives and for Qtrax (www.qtrax.com) the first ad supported free to the consumer digital distribution network. He is a published author on cross border licensing issues and the Price Waterhouse Coopers Executive Summary on Global Wireless Convergence.
Rick is the acknowledged leader in the ever-changing world of International entertainment rights licensing advising new licensees and licensors alike. His network of managing director level colleagues across Europe and Austral/Asia allows for a unprecedented flow of information absolutely necessary in accomplishing the seamless acquisition of international music rights.
To see Rick's full CV (in pdf format) use the link below.
Photo Gallery
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BMI's Million Performance Award Presentation to Neil Finn for "Something So Strong", (Left to Right) Mike Chunn, General Manager - APRA (New Zealand), Neil Finn, Grant Thomas and Rick Riccobono, Vice President - BMI.
Rick Riccobono with James Brown
Rick Riccobono with David Bowie
