CISAC Board Chair honored by Rio State Assembly for over 40 years of championing Brazilian music and its creators
By Akemy Morimoto, from Rio
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Marcelo Castello Branco, who has chaired the CISAC Board of Directors for the last six years, has been has been honoured by the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly for his immense contribution to music and music creators.
“An entrepreneurial spirit, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to innovation.” With those words dedicated to UBC’s CEO Marcelo Castello Branco, State Representative Luiz Paulo Corrêa da Rocha kicked off a special ceremony this Monday (May 5th) at the Rio de Janeiro State Assembly. A perfect autumn morning to celebrate a life story that’s deeply intertwined with the recent history of Brazilian music.
The guest of honor in that ceremony, Castello Branco —one of the most respected figures in the music industry in Brazil— was awarded the Tiradentes Medal. It’s the highest honor granted by the Rio de Janeiro State to individuals who have made significant contributions to the public good.
“Marcelo is, without a doubt, one of the key players who helped put Brazil on the global music map and gave voice, space, and recognition to the people who create art,” said the representative, speaking to a room filled with artists, industry peers, and longtime friends of the honoree.
In attendance were five special guests who symbolized the diversity of the music market: Paula Lima, UBC’s president; Wilson Simoninha, producer and UBC board member; Aloysio Reis, Sony/ATV executive and UBC board director; Lucinha Araújo, president of the Viva Cazuza foundation; and Jorge Lopes, executive director of the record label Biscoito Fino.
The most emotional moment of the ceremony came when Marcelo’s granddaughters, Valentina and Sophia, took the stage to present him with the medal. Their loving, heartfelt gesture bridged generations and gave a tender, personal touch to an already moving tribute. In their own words, the girls described their grandfather with warmth and honesty —expressing the very same generosity, sensitivity, and integrity that official speeches had celebrated.
After receiving the medal, Castello Branco gave a moving speech of his own, highlighting the collective nature of his journey:
“Being here means the world to me. But I didn’t get here, or anywhere, on my own. And I want to keep moving forward, always with good people by my side. I don’t believe in doing anything alone. I believe generosity leads to reciprocity (...). I’m living one of the best moments of my career —maybe because I always choose to live in the present, without nostalgia. Thank you all, again.”
UBC president Paula Lima reflected on the human and artistic impact Marcelo has had:
“I’m beyond grateful to have such a brilliant and inspiring person in our lives. So real, so big-hearted, so elegant —someone who truly values people and art. He’s respected by everyone in the music business. He’s the kind of person everyone agrees on. Thank you for all your accomplishments, which made ours possible too. We celebrate your life!”
Wilson Simoninha, UBC board member, shared a more personal take:
“I first heard about Marcelo in the early '90s —everybody was talking about him. I felt an immediate connection even before we met. I have to say: Marcelo is one of the most brilliant and sharp people I know, and yet he’s never lost his warmth or humility. He’s one of my biggest professional inspirations —and one of my best friends in life.”
Fellow board member Aloysio Reis focused on Marcelo’s legacy within the institution:
“Marcelo turned UBC into a forward-thinking, tech-savvy institution —and never lost sight of who it’s all for: the 65,000 members who fill our lives with lyrics and melodies. On behalf of each and every one of them, I want to thank you, Marcelo, for being a constant source of inspiration. Our artists can rest assured their work is in the hands of someone who truly cares.”
Before wrapping up the ceremony, the crowd was treated to a surprise musical moment: Paula Lima, Wilson Simoninha, and singer and songwriter Lulu Santos took the stage together to perform Tempos Modernos, earning a big round of applause.
Marcelo Castello Branco has been leading UBC since 2016, working to strengthen copyright protections and champion the rights of creators in Brazil and around the world. He also serves as chair of CISAC’s Board of Directors —the top international network of authors' societies —where he plays a key role in global discussions around the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative sector.
During the pandemic, he was instrumental in shaping emergency cultural support laws such as the Aldir Blanc and Paulo Gustavo Acts, which secured vital funding for the artistic community. Before that, he built a stellar career at the helm of major record labels like Universal Music and EMI Music, and in leadership roles at the Latin GRAMMYs and the CISAC Board.