Riptide Music Group (Riptide), a leading synchronization and rights management company that provides music to advertising, movie trailers, TV programming and promos, major motion pictures, videogames, and multi-media productions, has named George Howard as Chief Innovation Officer. The announcement was made today by Riptide executives Rich Goldman, President, and Keatly Haldeman, CEO.
Howard was an early founder of Tunecore, one of the leading digital aggregators. Additionally, he is the co-founder of Music Audience Exchange, served as president of Rykodisc, and formerly managed superstar Carly Simon. A JD/MBA, Howard is a professor at Berklee College of Music and Brown University.
The news about Howard comes fast on the heels of Riptide’s recent announcement naming longtime music and entertainment industry executive Mark Ross as a Partner. Ross brought a $ 4-million cash infusion into Riptide to help grow the company. Howard, a long-time associate of Ross’, will become an integral member of Riptide’s next phase of business growth and development.
In a joint statement, Goldman and Haldeman said, “George is a cutting edge digital music thinker who helps turn great ideas into reality. He’s plugged into the technology of music, and brings to Riptide his solid entrepreneurial and strategic experience across many aspects of the music industry. He’ll help to drive our business development and strategic growth initiatives on a global level.”
Adds Howard, “I was powerfully drawn to Riptide because of their innovative approach to synch and music rights management. At this stage in my career, I only get involved with companies that I think have a strong chance of break-out success, and I haven’t been this excited about a company in a long time.”
About GEORGE HOWARD
George Howard has a long career across numerous sectors of the music industry. He was an early founder of Tunecore, one of the leading digital aggregators. He also held the title of President of Rykodisc.
Formerly the manager of Carly Simon, Howard is also a co-founder of Music Audience Exchange, a technology company that helps consumer brands and music artists form mutually beneficial partnerships.
Via his consulting firm, Howard has advised a wide-range of companies — from the Fortune 500 (Intel, CVS/pharmacy) to the Ivy League (Brown University); as well as non-profits (Easter Seals, Landmark); countless innovative startups; as well as renowned Grammy and Oscar winning artists, such as Carly Simon and Mark Isham — on creating value around technological change.
A professor at both Berklee College of Music, and Brown University, Howard holds MBA and JD degrees.
About RIPTIDE MUSIC GROUP
Formed in early 2014 by the merger of Riptide Music and Pigfactory, Riptide Music Group is comprised of five operating units: Riptide Rights looks after publishing and master rights for administration and sync representation; Riptide One, a carefully curated catalog of independent artists, bands, producers and composers, master & publishing controlled 100% by Riptide; Pacifica Music Library, a modern production music library focused on current popular music styles; DIVER, a boutique catalog of label-signed, active and touring artists; and Incubator, Riptide’s pop and urban songwriter, producer and artist development division.
Riptide Music Group is located at 9469 Jefferson Blvd., Ste. 114, Culver City, CA 90232. The phone is 310.437.4380. For more information, please see: www.riptidemusic.com
