Richard Stumpf

Richard Stumpf is a highly regarded founder / executive with senior level experience creating and implementing successful growth strategies across numerous industries including entertainment, technology, and philanthropy. His core skills include fundraising, team building, organizational leadership, deal negotiation, budgeting / PnL management, digital technolgies, IP licensing, marketing and sales. As a founder, he has raised over $58mm in private investment. He has also been instrumental in exits amounting to over $750mm.

In addition to leadership roles at established companies, such as EMI-Capitol Records, Cherry Lane Music, and Imagem Music, Stumpf was also the founder and CEO of the very successful independent publishing company, Atlas Music. In 2019, Stumpf sold Atlas to HYBE USA (formerly Ithaca). As part of the sale, he agreed to stay on for two years to oversee the transition. Subsequently, he founded Hawkeye Music Group, where he uses his vast experience to advise companies working within the entertainment, technology and philanthropic industries.

Stumpf's reputation as a forward-thinking, progressive executive who consistently embraces new technologies and looks for the solutions between sectors has afforded him excellent relationships with fellow senior executives across the various stakeholders of the industry. He was the first independent publisher to strike direct deals with YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Pandora. Stumpf helped pioneer digital distribution as the inaugural music executive for MCY.com, one of the original companies engaging in online song distribution as well as concert streaming.

Throughout his career he has worked with notable artists such as Quincy Jones, Van Halen, John Legend, and Mark Ronson, as well as profile brands including The NFL, NASCAR, EA, and WWE.

Richard has volunteered for the Boards of National Music Publishers Association, Association of Independent Music Publishers, and The Recording Academy, for which he is a voting member. He also chaired the Publishing Committee for American Association of Independent Music. His lobbying efforts, directly impacted the passing of the MMA, which creates efficiency and transparency in the digital streaming space. He is also the founder and producer of StumpFest, an annual live music event benefiting St. Jude. Other charities that Richard has worked closely with thorughout his career include Music Cares, Mr. Holland's Opus, Music Alive, and Little Kids Rock.