The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers has named Elizabeth “Beth” Matthews as its CEO. She replaces John LoFrumento, who retired Dec. 31 after 33 years of service to ASCAP, including 17 years as CEO.
Matthews has served as executive vice president and general counsel at ASCAP since 2013. She was a unanimous choice when nominated to the board.
“Since joining ASCAP’s executive team, Beth Matthews has been a tireless advocate for our members and a catalyst for the entire organization,” said John LoFrumento, who has served as ASCAP’s CEO since 1997. “Working alongside Beth these past two years, there is no doubt in my mind that she has both the know-how and vision to lead ASCAP in a dynamic music landscape.”
As ASCAP’s EVP/general counsel, Matthews led development of a six-year transformative strategic plan that anticipates the future competitive landscape and changing needs of ASCAP members and customers, the organization said. She was a key internal leader on modernizing ASCAP’s licensing systems and pushing for reform of ASCAP’s consent decree, it added. She also spearheaded the organization’s support for introducing the Songwriter Equity Act in Congress.
Prior to ASCAP, Matthews served as EVP and deputy general counsel at Viacom Media Networks (formerly MTV Networks) beginning in 1998. There she guided her business and legal affairs teams through the early days of the shift to digital. Matthews also previously worked in the Intellectual Property and Corporate Groups for Chadbourne & Parke and the Business Technology Group for Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy.
