Gene Whitney Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, California, United States

New York City Metropolitan Area

Managed relationships with major label partners globally. Lead negotiator with Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group for Amazon’s digital music products and services. Acted as content acquisition principal for new business development models, driving analysis of strategic projects with internal Product, Marketing, Data/Analytics, Finance, and Legal teams. Oversaw licensing efforts in key international territories, including India and Japan. Developed licensing strategy for priority initiatives, including Amazon Music Prime, Amazon Music Free, AMP, and Amazon Music Live/Thursday Night Football.

Greater New York City Area

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to define the global music licensing framework across Meta apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and Meta Quest/Horizon. Negotiated and drafted licensing agreements with major labels/publishers and aggregators for UGC and premium music videos, gaming, live concerts, fan subscriptions, and music in the metaverse. Designed and monitored safeguards for compliance with privacy regulatory requirements.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Define and execute WAV’s growth plan with respect to its open music video and live streaming platform, mobile application, and record label. Oversee all business affairs, creator services, marketing, and strategy, including identification and assessment of content, distribution, and strategic partnerships. Negotiate agreements in connection with content acquisition and licensing, marketing, music publishing and collecting societies, original content development and production, partnerships, and recording artists.

Greater New York City Area

Evaluated and set strategic priorities for the Content Acquisitions team. Negotiated licensing agreements with major and independent labels in connection with SoundCloud’s ad-supported tier and paid subscription services (mid-tier and premium tier). Acquired local repertoire and secured licenses with music publishers and collecting societies to facilitate international launches. Coordinated cross-functional teams to operationalize content distribution.

Greater New York City Area

Negotiate and draft agreements, with emphasis on content licensing and label business development, distribution (via online syndication, mobile applications, IPTV, and other IP-connected devices and platforms), sales and strategic marketing partnerships, technology-related services, original programming, and production/live events and related clearances. Provide legal support for VEVO’s international expansion efforts through finalizing advertising sales agency relationships, performing rights organization licenses, and privacy policies and terms and conditions. Manage day-to-day affairs in connection with patent and trademark matters.

Greater New York City Area

Negotiated and drafted agreements with retailers, wireless carriers, internet service providers, mobile application developers, content aggregators, advertising networks, infrastructure providers, and syndication partners to grow UMG’s global digital business, including areas such as: a la carte digital downloads, ad-supported “freemium” and paid subscription services, advertising (mobile and online), cloud/locker services, mobile applications, mobile personalization products, strategic marketing partnerships, and video-on-demand (subscription and transactional) and electronic sell-through services.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Negotiated and drafted worldwide administration, asset purchase, co-publishing, digital/new media, film/television, joint venture, songwriter, settlement/release, and termination agreements. Negotiated and drafted amendments with respect to the same. Administered and approved estate transfers. Managed claims with respect to copyright infringement of catalog compositions.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English

Doctor Of Law (Jd)