ASCAP Announces Retirement Of CEO John LoFrumento

John LoFrumento

Today, the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced that John LoFrumento, Chief Executive Officer of ASCAP for the past 17 years, has decided to retire as of January 1st.

LoFrumento has served the members of ASCAP since 1981, when he first joined the executive team as Controller. He then served as CFO, COO and EVP, and was named CEO in 1997. LoFrumento’s successor will be named shortly.

As CEO, LoFrumento helped ASCAP develop one of the most sophisticated technology platforms for performance tracking and royalty distributions across all media. At the same time, ASCAP’s membership and distributions grew exponentially from 70,000 members in 1997 with distributions totaling $417 million to 520,000 members today with 2014 distributions to exceed $875 million. ASCAP licenses the most-performed repertory globally, with 10 million compositions created by the best-loved songwriters and composers as members, including such modern hit-makers as Beyoncé, Max Martin (STIM), Dr. Luke, Dierks Bentley, Katy Perry, Enrique Iglesias, Lorde (APRA), Justin Timberlake, Drake, Brad Paisley and many more.

“When I became CEO in 1997, we set a course aimed at transforming ASCAP into a new kind of organization that would be ready to meet the demands of the 21st century, and I am so proud of what we have achieved,” said LoFrumento. “Through a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in all areas of our operation, ASCAP has become the world’s most sophisticated and efficient music rights organization, home to more than 520,000 of the world’s greatest music creators. And I am able to retire with tremendous confidence in ASCAP’s future, knowing that the Board’s search for a new CEO is well underway.”

“Under John’s leadership, ASCAP’s innovations and embrace of new technologies have shaped the evolution of performing rights worldwide,” said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, an award-winning songwriter. “John is an extraordinary advocate for music creators, and his accomplishments and vision will have a lasting impact on the music industry for years to come.”