Sony Music Publishing Promotes Michael Riggs to SVP of Licensing and Income Tracking

Nashville, TN – March 4, 2026 – Sony Music Publishing (SMP) announced the promotion of Michael Riggs to Senior Vice President, Licensing and Income Tracking, effective immediately. Riggs, who has been with the company for nearly three decades, will continue to report to Dale Esworthy, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Administration at SMP .

Focus on Digital Royalty Tracking and Licensing

In his elevated role, Riggs will concentrate on strengthening tracking operations and enhancing matching capabilities for digital deals, both within the United States and on a global scale . He will also continue to lead the Licensing, Sync Administration, Global Income Tracking and Client Audit teams .

Industry Recognition and Company Impact

Dale Esworthy highlighted Riggs’s significant contributions to the company, stating that his “unwavering persistence in the digital space has strengthened our ability to collect more, collect faster, and ensure timely payments to our songwriters” . Esworthy also praised Riggs’s “relentless pursuit of unpaid royalties and leadership in licensing emerging revenue streams” as invaluable to SMP’s mission .

Riggs’s Career and Future Outlook

Riggs initially joined Sony Music Publishing as an Income Tracking Analyst and has played a key role in advancing the company’s digital royalty tracking, collection, and licensing capabilities . Riggs expressed his honor at working with the team at SMP and his commitment to supporting songwriters and clients in his new position .

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