Brief was a trade association consultant until his death in 1998. He held the position of general counsel to ITA from 1996-1998; executive vice president of ITA from 1979-1996; executive director of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) from 1960-1979; editor radio-TV section of Home Furnishings Daily from 1952-1960; news editor/announcer for Station WEOK in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. from 1950-1952; and a features writer for Overseas News from 1948-1950.