Tim Riley(III)
- Music Department
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Since 2003, Tim Riley has served as Vice President of Music Affairs for
Activision/Blizzard, the world's largest video game publisher and
subsidiary of Fortune 250 company Vivendi Universal, responsible for
overseeing the growth and development of music and audio needs
worldwide for Activision's multi-million dollar game franchises,
including: Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, True Crime, Spider-Man
and Tony Hawk.
A trailblazer in the entertainment industry for the past 20 years, Tim brings extensive music industry depth to the interactive and digital media space. Skilled in relationships with artists and talent management, Riley has licensed more than 3,000 songs, culminating in numerous critically-acclaimed and award-winning video game soundtracks, and has structured product, promotion and marketing deals with renowned artists and bands, including; JAY-Z, Eminem, Taylor Swift, Metallica, Lady Gaga, Sex Pistols, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Billie Joe of Green Day and Matt Bellamy of Muse, for live performances, events, television campaigns, in-game character appearances, the recording of original game-specific music and more.
Considered to be the leading authority in the music and video game space, Tim is responsible for content relationships and identifying strategic partnerships and next generation distribution channels to open up new revenue streams. He has structured royalty agreements with record labels and music publishers for on-disc content and downloadable music, and in 2007 he pioneered digital distribution and downloads of music via outlets such as Xbox Live Marketplace and iTunes.
Prior to joining Activision, he was the founder and president of two bi-coastal corporations, Westies Music and GO BIG! Entertainment, both music and entertainment lifestyle companies specializing in music supervision and licensing for films, video games and action sports videos. Additionally, he has held various positions in A&R with Jive Records-Zomba Publishing, Revolution/Giant Records/Warner Music Group and Geffen, working with industry giants such as Clive Calder and Irving Azoff, and served as showcase coordinator for the CMJ Music Marathon.
A guest lecturer at the University of California Los Angeles, Tim has been an invited speaker at more than 50 industry events including; the CMJ Music Marathon, South By Southwest, Midem, Electronic Entertainment Expo, In The City, North By Northwest, New Orleans Media Experience and the Billboard Music Conference. Recognized as one of the most creative minds on this new music frontier, Tim has garnered acclaim in such reputable outlets as Rolling Stone, Playboy, Billboard, LA Times and MTV. Tim is also the executive producer for Soundgarden's "Black Rain" and Megadeth's "Sudden Death," each nominated for an award at the 53rd Annual Grammys.
Tim Riley worked as a music supervisor on the feature film, "Couples Retreat," and was the inspiration behind Vince Vaughn's character, "Dave," who worked as a Guitar Hero salesman, in the film written and directed by Jon Favreau. Tim also worked with the film production crew and game development team to identify, code and note track the song "Lonely is the Night" by Billy Squier.
Tim Riley is a voting member of the Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), a member of the Guild of Music Supervisors, a board member of the National Blues Music Hall of Fame and co-organizer, in conjunction with Richard Fortus of Guns N' Roses, of the St. Louis School of Rock. In 2004, Riley received the first-ever MTV Video Music Award for "Best Soundtrack for a Video Game."
Tim Riley earned a BS degree in mass communications from Southeast Missouri State University in 1991 and an Executive Certificate in Leadership Management from University of Notre Dame Online in 2011. He currently resides in Venice, CA.
A trailblazer in the entertainment industry for the past 20 years, Tim brings extensive music industry depth to the interactive and digital media space. Skilled in relationships with artists and talent management, Riley has licensed more than 3,000 songs, culminating in numerous critically-acclaimed and award-winning video game soundtracks, and has structured product, promotion and marketing deals with renowned artists and bands, including; JAY-Z, Eminem, Taylor Swift, Metallica, Lady Gaga, Sex Pistols, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Billie Joe of Green Day and Matt Bellamy of Muse, for live performances, events, television campaigns, in-game character appearances, the recording of original game-specific music and more.
Considered to be the leading authority in the music and video game space, Tim is responsible for content relationships and identifying strategic partnerships and next generation distribution channels to open up new revenue streams. He has structured royalty agreements with record labels and music publishers for on-disc content and downloadable music, and in 2007 he pioneered digital distribution and downloads of music via outlets such as Xbox Live Marketplace and iTunes.
Prior to joining Activision, he was the founder and president of two bi-coastal corporations, Westies Music and GO BIG! Entertainment, both music and entertainment lifestyle companies specializing in music supervision and licensing for films, video games and action sports videos. Additionally, he has held various positions in A&R with Jive Records-Zomba Publishing, Revolution/Giant Records/Warner Music Group and Geffen, working with industry giants such as Clive Calder and Irving Azoff, and served as showcase coordinator for the CMJ Music Marathon.
A guest lecturer at the University of California Los Angeles, Tim has been an invited speaker at more than 50 industry events including; the CMJ Music Marathon, South By Southwest, Midem, Electronic Entertainment Expo, In The City, North By Northwest, New Orleans Media Experience and the Billboard Music Conference. Recognized as one of the most creative minds on this new music frontier, Tim has garnered acclaim in such reputable outlets as Rolling Stone, Playboy, Billboard, LA Times and MTV. Tim is also the executive producer for Soundgarden's "Black Rain" and Megadeth's "Sudden Death," each nominated for an award at the 53rd Annual Grammys.
Tim Riley worked as a music supervisor on the feature film, "Couples Retreat," and was the inspiration behind Vince Vaughn's character, "Dave," who worked as a Guitar Hero salesman, in the film written and directed by Jon Favreau. Tim also worked with the film production crew and game development team to identify, code and note track the song "Lonely is the Night" by Billy Squier.
Tim Riley is a voting member of the Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), a member of the Guild of Music Supervisors, a board member of the National Blues Music Hall of Fame and co-organizer, in conjunction with Richard Fortus of Guns N' Roses, of the St. Louis School of Rock. In 2004, Riley received the first-ever MTV Video Music Award for "Best Soundtrack for a Video Game."
Tim Riley earned a BS degree in mass communications from Southeast Missouri State University in 1991 and an Executive Certificate in Leadership Management from University of Notre Dame Online in 2011. He currently resides in Venice, CA.