# Rob Glaser

> Rob Glaser is the Seattle-based founder, chairman and CEO of RealNetworks. After a decade at Microsoft, he founded Progressive Networks in 1994 and helped commercialize internet streaming with RealAudio and RealVideo. He returned as CEO in 2012, invested $10 million in 2020, and led a founder-controlled transaction taking the company private in 2022. His other pursuits include venture investing, progressive political projects and a long involvement in professional bowling, recognized by induction into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2020.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and CEO at RealNetworks
- **Organizations:** RealNetworks, Microsoft (former executive), Accel Partners (joined as venture partner in 2010), Professional Bowlers Association (former co-owner), Glaser Progress Foundation
- **From:** New York City, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.A. in Economics; M.A. in Economics; B.S. in Computer Science, Yale University
- **Known for:** Led the company that introduced RealAudio in 1995 and RealVideo in 1997., Built a digital media company spanning streaming, subscription music, games and later AI products., Led RealNetworks through a 2005 Microsoft settlement and commercial agreements valued at $761 million.

## Career timeline

- **1983** — Joined Microsoft after Yale; later served as Vice President of Multimedia and Consumer Systems.
- **1994** — Founded Progressive Networks in February.
- **1995** — Company introduced RealAudio.
- **1997** — Introduced RealVideo; Progressive Networks became RealNetworks.
- **2000** — Joined Chris Peters and Mike Slade in acquiring the Professional Bowlers Association.
- **2003** — RealNetworks purchased Listen.com; filed antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft.
- **2005** — RealNetworks and Microsoft announced settlement and commercial agreements valued at $761 million.
- **2010** — Stepped down as RealNetworks CEO in January; joined Accel as venture partner later that year.
- **2012** — Returned as interim CEO in July.
- **2014** — Appointed permanent CEO in July.
- **2020** — Invested approximately $10 million in RealNetworks and entered the PBA Hall of Fame for meritorious service.
- **2022** — Founder-controlled take-private merger closed December 21; became sole manager of RealNetworks LLC.
- **2026** — TransUnion completed acquisition of RealNetworks mobile division on April 1.

## Achievements

- Led the company that introduced RealAudio in 1995 and RealVideo in 1997.
- Built a digital media company spanning streaming, subscription music, games and later AI products.
- Led RealNetworks through a 2005 Microsoft settlement and commercial agreements valued at $761 million.
- Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2020 for meritorious service.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — TransUnion completed acquisition of RealNetworks mobile division; the announcement identified Glaser as Chairman and CEO of RealNetworks Group. Terms were not disclosed.
- **2026-02** — TransUnion announced a definitive agreement to acquire the mobile division. Glaser said KONTXT had blocked more than eight billion spam and scam messages over eight years; this is a company-reported figure.
- **2025-04** — RealNetworks business SAFR launched SAFR Guard for retail loss prevention.

## Links

- Website: https://medium.com/@rob_glaser
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-glaser-431687
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/RobGlaser

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/rob-glaser
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26