BYE BYE HILARY, HELLO TV

As expected, the trade org's feisty, and increasingly embattled, 17-year veteran Hilary Rosen, who was named CEO in 1998 and added the Chairman title in 2002, will step down from her post effective July 1.

According to President Cary Sherman, Rosen will continue with the organization as a consultant for one year to both the RIAA board and staff. As interim CEO, Sherman will conduct the search for her successor, with prominent recruitment firm Korn/Ferry. The RIAA exec met with label heads in New York yesterday to go over a preliminary list of candidates.

Rosen has landed an on-air gig at CNBC as a commentator. She'll assume her new role on August 1, appearing once a week on Squawk Box, Open Exchange with Tyler Mathisen and Capitol Report with Alan Murray and Gloria Borger. She'll discuss political and regulatory issues as they portend to the media, entertainment and information industries. Look out, Bill O'Reilly.

Said Sherman: "Hilary has been the recording industry’s tireless advocate for countless unprecedented changes in our business. We have much to thank her for and will continue to rely on her expertise in the future. And she’s left us her iTunes Music Store account."

Rosen said she was "proud of the industry’s accomplishments in the last several years, particularly as it has dealt with the challenges of the digital age… I have every hope and expectation that the business plans being implemented by your member companies as well as the multiple anti-piracy strategies being employed by the RIAA and the industry will bring the music industry to new heights. This has been an extraordinary and wonderful experience, one that is hard to leave, but I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family. The organization could not be in better hands with Cary Sherman remaining and handling the transition."

As for her new role as a TV journalist, she said: "I'm thrilled at the opportunity to work with the great executives, journalists and other contributors at CNBC. I look forward to sharing my expertise in the growth and challenges continually facing the world of entertainment, media and technology with the viewers of the channel."

Rosen originally said she wouldn’t step down until the end of the year (see hitsdailydouble.com, 1/22). She originally succeeded Jay Berman as President/CEO in 1998. Before joining the organization in 1987, Rosen had her own consulting firm. She was also a VP for the lobbying firm, Liz Robbins Associates, working for special interest groups and local governments. Prior to that, she worked for former New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne. She is a founding member of Rock the Vote and a board member for MAP.