Rob Glaser

Rob Glaser, Founder, Chairman and CEO of RealNetworks, has long been intrigued with the nexus of media, computing, and communications. Since founding Real in 1994, Mr. Glaser has played an integral role in the transformation of the internet into the next great mass medium. In 1995, under Mr. Glaser’s direction, Real introduced the groundbreaking RealAudio, the first commercial audio streaming solution for the internet. This was followed in 1997 with RealVideo. RealNetworks’ RealPlayer is downloaded millions of times each month and is one of the most popular pieces of software ever created.

In July 2012, after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, Mr. Glaser returned as CEO, initially in an interim role, to help revitalize RealNetworks and return the company to sustainable growth. In line with this goal, the company has since launched several new products. By creating innovative technology and services that make it easy for people to connect with and enjoy digital media, RealNetworks and Mr. Glaser are at the forefront of the digital media revolution.

Prior to founding RealNetworks, Inc., Mr. Glaser worked for Microsoft for 10 years in a number of executive positions, including Vice President of Multimedia and Consumer Systems. Mr. Glaser currently serves as Trustee and Managing Board Member of the Glaser Progress Foundation, which he established in 1993. Mr. Glaser is a graduate of Yale University, with a B.A. and an M.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Computer Science.