• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
    • Upcoming Concerts
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Michael Riggs Rises To SVP, Licensing & Income Tracking At Sony Music Publishing

March 4, 2026/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Michael Riggs

Michael Riggs has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Licensing and Income Tracking at Sony Music Publishing.

Riggs will continue to report to Sony Music Publishing’s Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration, Dale Esworthy. In his new position, Riggs will focus on strengthening tracking operations and enhancing matching capabilities for digital deals in the U.S. and globally. He will also continue to lead the Licensing, Sync Administration, Global Income Tracking and Client Audit teams.

Since first joining Sony Music Publishing as an Income Tracking Analyst nearly three decades ago, Riggs has been integral in the company’s continued advancement of its digital royalty tracking, collection and licensing capabilities, working closely across SMP’s global teams to drive faster, more efficient payments for songwriters and clients.

“Michael’s unwavering persistence in the digital space has strengthened our ability to collect more, collect faster, and ensure timely payments to our songwriters,” says Esworthy. “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.”

“I’m honored to work alongside such exceptional leaders and colleagues at SMP, who care deeply about our people and songwriters,” says Riggs. “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.”

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Lorie Hollabaugh
Lorie Hollabaugh
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.
Lorie Hollabaugh
Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)
  • Whiskey Myers Adds Summer Headlining Dates - March 11, 2026
  • Symphonic Launches Fifth Annual Women Empowered+ Mentorship Program - March 11, 2026
  • IBMA Recognizes 2026 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass Graduates - March 11, 2026
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Michael-Riggs-Headshot-2026-copy-scaled.jpg 2373 2560 Lorie Hollabaugh https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Lorie Hollabaugh2026-03-04 10:02:542026-03-04 10:02:54Michael Riggs Rises To SVP, Licensing & Income Tracking At Sony Music Publishing

RECENT NEWS

  • Jelly Roll Celebrates Chart-Toppers With 3x No. 1 Party March 11, 2026
  • Kacey Musgraves Explores ‘Middle Of Nowhere’ On New Album March 11, 2026
  • Whiskey Myers Adds Summer Headlining Dates March 11, 2026
  • Symphonic Launches Fifth Annual Women Empowered+ Mentorship Program March 11, 2026
  • NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation To Offer Free Tax Preparation Services For Songwriters March 11, 2026
  • IBMA Recognizes 2026 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass Graduates March 11, 2026
  • Conner Smith To Share ‘Stories I’ve Never Told’ March 11, 2026
  • Zac Brown Band & Megan Moroney Among March Madness Music Festival Lineup March 11, 2026
  • Tammy Wynette Tribute ‘Forever Yours’ Set For March 30 At Ryman March 11, 2026
  • Kathlyn Jeffords Joins Neon Coast March 11, 2026

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2026 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top