Sony Music Publishing Elevates Riggs to Oversee Global Royalties

Sony Music Publishing has elevated a three-decade veteran to oversee its worldwide royalty collection apparatus, a move that signals the publisher's continued push to maximize revenue streams for its songwriter clients. Michael Riggs now holds the title of Senior Vice President, Licensing and Income Tracking, after climbing the ranks from his original role as an Income Tracking Analyst in the 1990s.

The promotion positions Riggs at the helm of critical financial operations that determine how quickly and accurately songwriters receive payments from digital platforms. His expanded responsibilities include strengthening tracking systems and improving matching capabilities for digital licensing deals across both domestic and international markets. The role places him in charge of Licensing, Sync Administration, Global Income Tracking and Client Audit divisions.

Sony Music Publishing Executive Vice President Dale Esworthy praised Riggs' track record in pursuing uncollected royalties, noting his "unwavering persistence in the digital space has strengthened our ability to collect more, collect faster, and ensure timely payments to our songwriters." The promotion reflects the growing complexity of music rights management in an era where streaming platforms, social media apps, and emerging technologies create new revenue opportunities that require sophisticated tracking mechanisms.

Riggs acknowledged the collaborative nature of his work, stating he feels "honored to work alongside such exceptional leaders and colleagues at SMP, who care deeply about our people and songwriters." His three-decade tenure positions him as one of the industry's most experienced royalty collection specialists at a time when publishers face increasing pressure to demonstrate transparency and efficiency in payments to their songwriter clients.