David Renzer is a veteran music executive and the former Chairman and CEO of Spirit Music Group.
He stepped down from his position in 2019.
David Renzer: Early career
Originally attending law school with the goal of becoming an entertainment lawyer, David Renzer’s entry into the music business actually came from songwriting. In 1985, Renzer co-wrote the song Electric Lady, performed by Con Funk Shun. It hit No.4 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and led to an introduction with Barry Weiss of Jive Records, through whom Renzer he landed a job at Jive parent Zomba, handling the publishing of songwriters like Robert John “Mutt” Lange, and writers on Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys hits.
Renzer rose to SVP & General Manager of Zomba in his decade-long stint there, helping Zomba win ASCAP’s R&B Publisher of the Year and Pop Publisher of the Year awards along the way.
His next role was at MCA Music Publishing, which grew into Universal Music Publishing Group. Renzer oversaw deals with major film and TV companies like Warner Bros., Dreamworks, and HBO and played a key role in signing an incredible portfolio of A-list talent, including Prince, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Elton John, and The Beastie Boys, among many others. Renzer also started a Latin Music Division for Universal Music Publishing Group in 1996 that went on to win ASCAP’s Music Publisher of the Year accolade four times. During his 15 years at Universal, Renzer advanced to Chairman and CEO, serving from 2004 to 2011 and growing it exponentially via a series of acquisitions, including former employer Zomba.
David Renzer: Leaving the majors and joining Spirit
In 2011, David Renzer partnered with Haim Saban for a year as President of Music Ventures for Saban Capital Group, where he grew a relationship with Pegasus Capital Advisors: the main financial supporters of Spirit Music Group. Renzer joined Spirit in 2013 as Chairman and was promoted to Chairman and CEO in 2017.
In 2014, Renzer was elected to serve on the board of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA). He was re-elected for the position in 2017.
Following a recapitalization of Spirit Music Group in 2019, led by its COO Jon Singer, David Renzer left the company.
Music Business Worldwide