The head spokesman for AOL Time Warner's AOL division, John Buckley, is a leading contender to become head of the RIAA. An insider told the the New York Post that Buckley is already a finalist for the key lobbying job, and the RIAA could make an announcement within the next couple of weeks.
Buckley has strong ties to the Republican Party, a credential that the RIAA has been seeking in candidates. He served as communications director on Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign and has held flacking jobs for the National Republican Congressional Committee and Ronald Reagan's 1984 campaign.
He does have some music credentials though. He started his career as a rock critic for Rolling Stone, Village Voice and the New York Rocker. Oh, how things change.