2026-02-12T18:44:22+00:00 2025-03-31 135381590 BDO USA 8401 GREENSBORO DR STE 800 MCLEAN VA 221023599 990 2024-04-01 131669037 RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INC RECO 2027750101 1000 F STREET NW 2ND FL WASHINGTON DC 20004 KAREN BELL CFO 2026-02-13 true TODD TERESCO P00247720 7038930600 2026-02-13 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z KAREN BELL 1000 F STREET NW 2ND FL WASHINGTON DC 20004 37209271 false X WWW.RIAA.COM X 1951 NY THE RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ADVOCATES FOR RECORDED MUSIC AND THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES THAT CREATE IT IN THE UNITED STATES. RIAA'S SEVERAL HUNDRED MEMBERS RANGING FROM MAJOR AMERICAN MUSIC GROUPS WITH GLOBAL REACH TO ARTIST OWNED LABELS AND SMALL BUSINESSES MAKE UP THE WORLD'S MOST VIBRANT AND INNOVATIVE MUSIC COMMUNITY, WORKING TO HELP ARTISTS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL AND CONNECT WITH FANS WHILE SUPPORTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN JOBS. 26 24 68 0 0 57469 102469 33102291 36537012 257319 230296 186003 267683 33603082 37137460 0 0 0 0 15231151 15424619 0 0 0 18436954 21870222 33668105 37294841 -65023 -157381 28555518 28182374 22192967 21983663 6362551 6198711 SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES THE CREATIVE AND FINANCIAL VITALITY OF THE MAJOR MUSIC COMPANIES. THE RIAA WORKS TO PROTECT THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF ARTISTS AND MUSIC LABELS; CONDUCT CONSUMER, INDUSTRY AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH; AND MONITOR AND REVIEW STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES. THE RIAA(R) ALSO CERTIFIES GOLD(R), PLATINUM(R), MULTI-PLATINUM(TM) AND DIAMOND SALES AWARDS AS WELL AS LOS PREMIOS DE ORO Y PLATINO(TM), AN AWARD CELEBRATING LATIN MUSIC SALES. false false 0 0 0 Legal affairs and content protection encompasses both the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights for record companies and copyright owners. Content protection and enforcement operations include online and physical measures to combat music piracy, addressing unauthorized distribution and the manufacture and sale of counterfeit sound recordings. The majority of expenditures in this area are related to litigation costs incurred by RIAA in representing members and pursuing enforcement actions in civil court. In addition, legal affairs provide counsel to RIAA members, lead statutory license negotiations for the industry, and support the integration of technology objectives through specialized projects, analyses, and studies, ensuring the continued protection and advancement of the recording industry's interests. 0 0 0 PUBLIC POLICY AND INDUSTRY RELATIONS: PUBLIC POLICY AND INDUSTRY RELATIONS ENGAGE IN LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY AND LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR THE RECORDING INDUSTRY. 0 false true true false true false false false false false true false false true true true false true false true false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false true 97 0 true 68 true false false false false false false true false X 26 24 false true false false true true true true true false false false true true true true true true true true false false DC X KAREN BELL CFO 2027750101 1000 F STREET NW 2ND FL WASHINGTON DC 20004 MICHELE BALLANTYNE COO 50.0 X X 909868 0 79402 MITCH GLAZIER CHAIRMAN & CEO 50.0 X X 1381874 0 87009 ALISA COLEMAN DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 ANNIE LEE DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 CAMILLE HACKNEY DIRECTOR (THRU 01/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 Cris Lacy DIRECTOR (as of 02/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 DAVID BITHER DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 DEIRDRE MCDONALD DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 ERIC BERMAN DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 GLEN BARROS DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 James Steven DIRECTOR (as of 02/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 JEFF HARLESTON DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 JEFF WALKER DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 Julian Petty DIRECTOR (as of 02/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 JULIE SWIDLER DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 Katie Alberts DIRECTOR (as of 02/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 KEN BUNT DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 KEN ROBOLD DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 KEVIN LILES DIRECTOR (THRU 01/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 MARGO SCOTT DIRECTOR (THRU 01/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 MARK BAKER DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 MELISSA THOMAS DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 MICHELE ANTHONY DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 PAUL ROBINSON DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 ROSIE LOPEZ DIRECTOR (THRU 01/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 SHELDRA KHAHAIFA DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 TOM SILVERMAN DIRECTOR (THRU 01/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 Tony Kiewel DIRECTOR (as of 02/25) 0.0 X 0 0 0 VICTOR GONZALEZ DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 WILL TANOUS DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 ZENA WHITE DIRECTOR 0.0 X 0 0 0 KAREN BELL TREASURER, CFO 50.0 X 354007 0 55969 KEN DOROSHOW SECRETARY, CLO 50.0 X 1038339 0 45929 BRAD BUCKLES CCPO 50.0 X 372979 0 42757 MORNA WILLENS CPO 50.0 X 561800 0 48033 CARLOS LINARES SVP 50.0 X 427308 0 34001 GEORGE YORK SVP 50.0 X 429677 0 21822 JACOB TRACER SVP 50.0 X 381159 0 33838 STEVEN GOTTLIEB SVP 50.0 X 565115 0 33333 VICTORIA SHECKLER SVP 50.0 X 390308 0 68907 6812434 0 551000 35 false true false OPPENHEIM ZEBRAK LLP 4530 WISCONSIN AVENUE NW WASHINGTON DC 20016 LEGAL SERVICES 1025160 HUESTON HENNIGAN LLP 523 WEST 6TH STREET SUITE 400 LOS ANGELES CA 90014 LEGAL SERVICES 988617 JENNER & BLOCK LLP 353 N CLARK STREET CHICAGO IL 60654 LEGAL SERVICES 706454 GELFAND RENNERT & FELDMAN LLC 1880 CENTURY PARK EAST LOS ANGELES DC 90067 OTHER FEES 556200 OPSEC ONLINE LLC 1857 COLONIAL VILLAGE LANE LANCASTER PA 17601 LEGAL SERVICES 422339 17 102469 102469 MEMBERSHIP DUES 813910 34878600 34878600 CERTIFICATION PROGRAM GOLD & PLATINUM 813910 1017930 1017930 ISRC PROGRAM 813910 623326 623326 ANTIPIRACY RESTITUTION 813910 17156 17156 0 0 0 0 36537012 230296 230296 40977 40977 12717 12962 -245 0 -245 -245 0 0 285800 58849 226951 226951 0 0 0 0 0 37137460 36577989 0 457002 0 0 0 0 4721520 0 8642934 449828 942686 667651 0 6414977 175720 3410159 0 4859 2849014 138226 178218 450278 0 1960764 468856 0 111697 2050000 338136 243000 CONTENT PROTECTION SERVICES 860283 DATA ANALYSIS 797790 CERTIFICATION PROGRAM 690199 MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE 393158 334888 37294841 12152020 12436127 251033 284714 0 0 0 0 25353 47972 276647 291853 13589780 3541679 10704486 10048101 3172016 3327163 0 0 5882 5514 1968081 1740930 28555518 28182374 3506083 3856514 2728824 3941377 0 0 15958060 14185772 22192967 21983663 X 6362551 6198711 6362551 6198711 28555518 28182374 -157381 -6459 0 X X false true true false RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 67500 0 67500 67500 true CONFERENCE OF WESTERN ATTORNEYS GENERAL 5050 LAGUNA BLVD SUITE 112-323 ELK GROVE CA 95758 680250561 40000 0 RIAA CALIFORNIA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 1000 F STREET NW 2ND FLOOR WASHINGTON DC 20004 412050336 0 27300 KENAI RIVER SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION 35093 KENAI SPUR HWY SOLDOTNA AK 99669 920142688 8000 0 MNAPAC 414 UNION STREET SUITE 1007 NASHVILLE TN 37219 993410300 3500 0 COMMON SENSE GOVERNMENT 2600 S DOUGLAS ROAD SUITE 800 CORAL GABLES FL 33134 881150071 3000 0 ELEANOR ROOSEVELT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE PO BOX 20293 GREELEY SQUARE STATION NEW YORK NY 10001 050537985 2500 0 CONSERVATIVES FOR A BETTER MIAMI-DADE 2100 SALZEDO STREET SUITE 200 CORALES GABLES FL 33134 882599113 2000 0 WOMENLEAD ACTION FUND INC 808 COLUMBUS AVE 14 NEW YORK NY 10025 934106919 2000 0 A SAFER VA PAC PO BOX 3193 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 23454 873780805 1000 0 CITIZENS FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY 121 ALHAMBRA PLAZA 10TH FLOOR CORAL GABLES FL 33134 372115412 1000 0 COMMITTEE TO ELECT AARON FORD PO BOX 96003 LAS VEGAS NV 89193 271373046 1000 0 IOWA FIRST FUND 1201 OFFICE PARK ROAD 1811 WEST DES MOINES IA 50265 842210613 1000 0 LIZ BAKER MURRILL FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL 1110 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD SUITE 1 720 METAIRIE LA 70005 872028416 1000 0 TORREZ FOR NEW MEXICO PO BOX 4689 ALBUQUERQUE NM 87196 853641665 1000 0 LIBERTY AND JUSTICE PAC 222 W COLUMBIA FARMINGTON MO 63640 921238187 500 0 false false true 34878600 6808886 1234968 8043854 7984077 59777 0 Schedule C, Part I-A, Line 1 Description of Political Activities CORPORATE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT STATE CANDIDATES THAT MAY ACCEPT SUCH CONTRIBUTIONS. CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATES IN ELECTIONS FOR STATE GOVERNORS, ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND LEGISLATIVE OFFICES. 2444719 774976 1669743 481017 414763 66254 10664044 2351940 8312104 10048101 CSV OF LIFE INSURANCE 1173724 Deferred Compensation Asset 567206 1740930 Federal Income Taxes DEFERRED LEASE BENEFIT 12270402 PAYABLE TO MEMBERS 1314066 DEFERRED COMP PLAN LIABILITIES 567204 CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION 34100 14185772 X 37100343 -6459 0 -6459 37106802 30658 30658 37137460 37268674 -26167 -26167 37294841 0 0 37294841 Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 FIN 48 (ASC 740) footnote RIAA FOLLOWS THE PROVISIONS OF ASC 740, INCOME TAXES. UNDER ASC 740, AN ORGANIZATION MUST RECOGNIZE THE TAX BENEFIT ASSOCIATED WITH TAX POSITIONS TAKEN FOR TAX RETURN PURPOSES WHEN IT IS MORE-LIKELY-THAN-NOT THAT THE POSITION WILL BE SUSTAINED. RIAA DOES NOT BELIEVE THERE ARE ANY MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AND, ACCORDINGLY, IT WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ANY LIABILITY FOR UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS. RIAA HAS FILED FOR AND RECEIVED INCOME TAX EXEMPTIONS IN THE JURISDICTIONS WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO DO SO. ADDITIONALLY, RIAA HAS FILED RETURNS AS REQUIRED IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS WHERE IT IS NECESSARY. RIAA BELIEVES THAT IT IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, OR NON-U.S. INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS BY TAX AUTHORITIES FOR FISCAL YEARS BEFORE 2022. HOWEVER, RIAA IS STILL OPEN TO EXAMINATION BY TAXING AUTHORITIES FROM FISCAL YEAR 2022 FORWARD. FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 AND 2024, THERE WERE NO INTEREST OR PENALTIES RECORDED OR INCLUDED IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES RELATED TO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. Schedule D, Part XI, Line 4(b) Other revenues in form 990 not in audited financial statements SPONSORSHIP REVENUE - 102469 COST OF GOODS SOLD - -58849 RENTAL EXPENSES NETTED WITH REVENUE - -12962 Schedule D, Part XII, Line 2(d) Other expenses in audited financial statements not in form 990 COST OF GOODS SOLD - 58849 RENTAL EXPENSES NETTED WITH REVENUE NET LOSS OF AFFILIATE ON CONSOLIDATED - 12962 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - 4491 SPONSORSHIP REVENUE - -102469 X true true X X X X true true false MITCH GLAZIER CHAIRMAN & CEO 971621 0 380000 0 30253 0 41735 0 45274 0 1468883 0 0 0 MICHELE BALLANTYNE COO 805961 0 80000 0 23907 0 41735 0 37667 0 989270 0 0 0 KEN DOROSHOW SECRETARY, CLO 835339 0 180000 0 23000 0 41735 0 4194 0 1084268 0 0 0 KAREN BELL TREASURER, CFO 323100 0 30000 0 907 0 41735 0 14234 0 409976 0 0 0 MORNA WILLENS CPO 531800 0 30000 0 0 0 41735 0 6298 0 609833 0 0 0 BRAD BUCKLES CCPO 129152 0 190000 0 53827 0 40028 0 2729 0 415736 0 0 0 STEVEN GOTTLIEB SVP 216654 0 20000 0 328461 0 16474 0 16859 0 598448 0 0 0 CARLOS LINARES SVP 129934 0 15000 0 282374 0 10624 0 23377 0 461309 0 0 0 VICTORIA SHECKLER SVP 369401 0 20000 0 907 0 21735 0 47172 0 459215 0 0 0 GEORGE YORK SVP 408770 0 20000 0 907 0 21735 0 87 0 451499 0 0 0 JACOB TRACER SVP 361159 0 20000 0 0 0 0 0 33838 0 414997 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I, Line 1a Health or social club dues or initiation fees HEALTH AND SOCIAL CLUB DUES ARE PAID FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE IT IN THEIR WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS. THESE AMOUNTS ARE INCLUDED IN TAXABLE COMPENSATION. Schedule J, Part I, Line 4a Severance or change-of-control payment STEVEN GOTTLIEB AND CARLOS LINARES RECEIVED A SEVERANCE PAYMENT IN 2025 ON TERMS CONSISTENT WITH STANDARDS IN THE INDUSTRY. i. STEVEN GOTTLIEB - $305,000 ii. CARLOS LINARES - $262,650 Schedule J, Part I, Line 4b Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan Brad Buckles received a deferred compensation distribution of $12,984. Form 990, Part I, Line 5 EXPLANATION OF NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: TOTAL NUMBER REFERS TO THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ISSUED A W-2 FROM THE RIAA DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR. THIS NUMBER WILL DIFFER FROM THE APPROVED HEADCOUNT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Form 990, Part I, Line 6 EXPLANATION OF NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: RIAA DOES NOT CONSIDER ITS BOARD MEMBERS AS VOLUNTEERS. WHILE THE MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD ARE NOT COMPENSATED BY RIAA, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO SERVE AS BOARD MEMBERS BY RIAA'S CORPORATE MEMBERS, WHO ARE THEIR EMPLOYERS. Form 990, Part IV, Line 12a RIAA'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AUDITED AND PRESENTED ON A CONSOLIDATED BASIS, INCLUDING ITS AFFILIATE, THE RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA PAC. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15 a&b RIAA HAS ESTABLISHED COMPENSATION GUIDELINES THAT ARE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND MANAGED BY THE CEO. IT IS WITHIN THE CEO'S PURVIEW TO APPROVE ALL STAFF SALARIES AND INCENTIVES. FOR THE CEO, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ANNUALLY REVIEWS THE REASONABLENESS OF THE TOTAL COMPENSATION AND APPROVES ALL MERIT INCREASES AND INCENTIVES. Compensation determinations rely on appropriate comparative data from relevant for-profit and not-for-profit markets, supplemented by internal criteria such as job complexity, scope of responsibility, required experience and education, reporting structure, and documented individual performance. All compensation decisions are MEASURED THROUGH RIAA'S PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT APPROACH and documented in accordance with RIAA procedures. Form 990, Part VI, Line 3 Delegation of management duties SHAPE ADVOCACY - THIS FIRM HELPS RIAA MANAGE ITS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS INITIATIVES. Form 990, Part VI, Line 6 Classes of members or stockholders THE RIAA IS A 501(C)(6) MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION FOR THE MAJOR MUSIC COMPANIES THAT DISTRIBUTE LEGITIMATE RECORDED MUSIC PRODUCED AND SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES. Form 990, Part VI, Line 7a Members or stockholders electing members of governing body PER OUR CURRENT BYLAWS, MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DIRECTORSHIPS ON OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BASED ON THEIR MEMBER CLASSIFICATION. MEMBERS ALSO HAVE THE POWER TO AMEND THE BYLAWS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY THE RIAA FINANCE DEPARTMENT. THE RETURN IS THEN REVIEWED BY THE CFO AND THE LEGAL AFFAIRS AND DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL ALONG WITH OUR TAX FIRM. THE 990 IS THEN SENT TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO FILING THE RETURN TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. AFTER ALL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ARE ADDRESSED, THE RETURN IS FILED. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy ALL BOARD MEMBERS, OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST FORM ANNUALLY. THE FORM REQUIRES THE INDIVIDUALS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR READING AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE POLICY, CONFIRMATION THAT THE INDIVIDUAL COMPLIED WITH THE POLICY DURING THE PRECEDING YEAR AND UP TO THE DATE OF COMPLETING THE FORM, DISCLOSE ANY REAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AND AN UNDERTAKING TO PROMPTLY ADVISE THE DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL UPON BECOMING AWARE OF ANY CONFLICT. DISCLOSURES ARE REVIEWED BY THE DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL, WHO MONITORS COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY AND ENSURES APPROPRIATE FOLLOW-UP AS NEEDED. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public THE RIAA COMPLIES WITH THE PUBLIC INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 6104 BY MAKING ITS FORM 1024, APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION OF EXEMPTION UNDER SECTION 501(A), DETERMINATION LETTER FROM THE IRS, AND THE FORMS 990 FOR ITS THREE MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED TAX PERIODS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. HOWEVER, AS SECTION 6104 DOES NOT REQUIRE ORGANIZATIONS EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 501(C)(6) TO DISCLOSE ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICIES, OR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, THE RIAA HAS CHOSEN NOT TO MAKE SUCH INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c Change of oversight process or selection process THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES DURING THE YEAR IN THE PROCESS FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOC OF AMER CA PAC 1000 F STREET NW 2ND FL WASHINGTON DC 20004 412050336 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE CA 527 RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INC true RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOC OF AMER FED PAC 1000 F STREET NW 2ND FL WASHINGTON DC 20004 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE DC 527 RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INC true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false