Cindy Charles, Twitch’s head of music and a digital-music veteran, tragically passed away on Monday due to injuries sustained in a traffic accident in the Netherlands, as confirmed by her husband Ricky Fishman. She was 69 years old.
Accomplishments and Contributions
Among her many achievements, Charles played a pivotal role in the development of Twitch’s DJ category, which positioned it as the first platform for DJs to livestream legally. This initiative involved securing licensing agreements with all three major labels and numerous indie labels represented by Merlin. Additionally, she recently led the team responsible for the successful livestream of Charli XCX’s album preview at Storm King in Upstate New York. Charles was in the Netherlands for a speaking engagement at the Amsterdam Dance Event at the time of the accident.
Tributes and Remembrances
Twitch CEO Daniel Clancy took to social media to express his gratitude for Cindy’s impactful work, stating, “Anyone who uses music on Twitch owes a debt of gratitude to Cindy’s work. She always had a bright smile on her face, even as she negotiated unprecedented music licensing agreements.” Her friend and colleague Kira Karlstrom shared in a Medium post, “Cindy was more than just Twitch’s Head of Music — she was the heart and soul of our team, and a force for good in everything she touched.”
Professional Journey
Charles joined Twitch in 2018 as a partnerships and operations principal before being promoted to head of music in April 2022. In this role, she played a significant part in music licensing negotiations with labels and publishers, music programming, and artist relations. Prior to her time at Twitch, she held key positions at Amazon Tickets, Amazon’s Video Shorts initiative, MediaNet (formerly MusicNet), and Viacom. Her diverse experience in the digital media industry showcased her expertise and dedication to the field.
Personal Background and Legacy
A native of Queens, New York, Charles pursued a career in entertainment law following her father’s footsteps. She attended the State University of New York at Buffalo for her undergraduate studies in political science and later obtained her law degree from Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Beyond her professional endeavors, Charles was actively involved in various organizations, serving as an advisor to the Board of Governors of the Recording Academy and co-founding initiatives like She Is the Music and Women in Digital Media. Her impact on the industry and her community will be remembered fondly.
Surviving Family
Cindy Charles is survived by her husband Ricky Fishman, her son Ben Charles, and stepson Sam Fishman. Her family, friends, and colleagues mourn the loss of a remarkable individual who left a lasting legacy in the music and digital media landscape.
FAQs
Q: What were Cindy Charles’ key contributions to Twitch?
A: Cindy Charles played a crucial role in developing Twitch’s DJ category, securing licensing deals with major labels and indie labels, and leading successful music programming initiatives.
Q: How did Cindy Charles impact the digital media industry?
A: Cindy Charles’ extensive experience in digital media, including roles at Amazon, MediaNet, and Viacom, showcased her expertise and dedication to the field.
Q: What organizations was Cindy Charles involved with outside of Twitch?
A: Cindy Charles served as an advisor to the Recording Academy, co-founded She Is the Music and Women in Digital Media, and sat on advisory boards for various industry-related organizations.
Q: How will Cindy Charles be remembered by those who knew her?
A: Cindy Charles will be remembered as a dedicated professional, a compassionate colleague, and a trailblazer in the music and digital media industries. Her impact on the industry and her community will leave a lasting legacy.
Credit: variety.com
