Andrew Sparkler
Runner Music
Co-Founder & CEO
Andrew Sparkler is CEO and co-founder of Runner Music, an independent publishing venture alongside Ryan Tedder, Ron Laffitte, and Amanda Hill. Drawing upon twenty years of legal experience and music business acumen, he leads Runner’s acquisition and management of artist catalogs. Sparkler’s work drives the expansion and diversification of Runner’s portfolio, adding publishing for everything from indie rock to rap, reggae, and electronic music, alongside new music produced by the company’s in-house roster of writers, while also overseeing general company operations and investments.
Prior to starting Runner, Sparkler cut his teeth as a music and employment attorney before serving as Chief Business Officer at Downtown Music, where he was responsible for business development across the portfolio companies. During his tenure, the company grew from 30 employees to over 400 and deployed more than $150 million in capital toward acquisitions of marquee music catalogs. He is a co-founder of the Dave Nee Foundation, an organization founded in 2005 with a mission to eliminate the stigma associated with depression and suicide, particularly among law students and young attorneys.