Irwin Z. Robinson

Irwin Z. Robinson is Vice President, Industry Affairs for The Richmond Organization. Headquartered in New York, Robinson formerly served as Chairman of Paramount Allegra Music, the worldwide music publishing division of Viacom’s Paramount Pictures. Prior to Paramount Allegra, Robinson served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Famous Music Publishing. At Famous, Robinson’s mandate was to grow the company domestically and internationally. Within eight years, Famous had moved solidly into the mainstream of contemporary music by streamlining and modernizing its operations, dramatically expanding its catalogue and activities and moving aggressively into the global arena. When Viacom sold Famous to Sony/ATV in 2007, it was ranked as one of the industry’s top 10 companies.

Before leading Famous, Robinson headed two of the industry’s leading international music publishing companies – the Chappell/Intersong Music Group-USA and EMI Music Publishing Worldwide. He was appointed President of the legendary Chappell/Intersong in 1977, serving concurrently as Senior Vice President of parent company Chappell and Company, Inc., starting in 1985. After the merger of Chappell and Warner Bros. Music in 1987, he was asked to re-join EMI and was named President and Chief Executive of EMI Music Publishing Worldwide.

Robinson was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1962. In 1964, he joined Screen Gems-Columbia Music as House Counsel and subsequently became Vice President and General Manager. Robinson held that position following EMI’s purchase and consolidation of the company into Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc.

As one of the music publishing industry’s most dynamic and innovative leaders, Robinson was honored with the prestigious Abe Olman Publisher Award for lifetime achievement in music publishing at the 29th Annual Songwriters’ Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Induction Ceremony on June 10, 1998. He is presently Chairman of the Board of the National Music Publishers Association and the Harry Fox Agency. He is a member of the ASCAP Board of Directors and serves on the Executive Committee of both ASCAP and NMPA. Robinson is also on the Board of the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and has served as a trustee of the U.S. Copyright Society.