Elliott Peters has been promoted to General Counsel at San Francisco-based independent record label, publisher, and distributor EMPIRE.
In this new role, Peters will spearhead EMPIRE’s legal and business affairs on a global scale, including overseeing negotiations with music streaming services and retailers.
EMPIRE says it promoted Peters because of his extensive knowledge and expertise in the modern music industry.
Prior to being promoted, Peters served three years as EMPIRE’s Senior Vice President of Global Business.
He started his career at an international corporate law firm before joining Warner Music, where he spent over a decade working with the digital team to formulate initial licensing structures for major music services such as Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
Peters’ influence further extended to Apple, where he held a key role in developing the global expansion of internet and entertainment services.
Elsewhere, he served as General Counsel at global music service RDIO, playing a role in the company’s sale to Pandora in 2015.
He has also worked on content licensing and creation agreements for Podcast innovator Luminary, then returned to music as VP Legal and Business Affairs for SoundCloud.
“I am thrilled to continue my journey with EMPIRE working across departments and alongside my incredibly talented colleagues as we continue the great work Ghazi started back in 2010.”
Elliott Peters, EMPIRE
“I am thrilled to continue my journey with EMPIRE working across departments and alongside my incredibly talented colleagues as we continue the great work Ghazi started back in 2010,” said Peters.
EMPIRE CEO/Founder, Ghazi, added: “As we continue to enter new markets around the world, Elliott will spearhead our efforts worldwide.”
Peters’ promotion follows that of veteran music executive Tina Davis, who was elevated to the role of President in June after serving as Senior Vice President of A&R where she developed EMPIRE’s label vertical.
“As we continue to enter new markets around the world, Elliott will spearhead our efforts worldwide.”
Ghazi, Empire
During the same month, the company appointed Alexandra Moore as Chief Business Officer.
EMPIRE was established in 2010 by Bay Area native Ghazi, who recently took part in an investment round for EngineEars, a music-tech startup founded by MixedByAli (Derek Ali).
EMPIRE provides services in the digital music landscape, including label, distribution, and publishing divisions. The company claims to have propelled the careers of chart-topping, Grammy Award-winning artists including Kendrick Lamar, Yung Bleu, Fireboy DML, and Anderson .Paak.
The company says it crafts individualized agreements that prioritize artists’ interests.
Earlier this year, EMPIRE joined music companies ranging from distributors to streaming platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music to form a global task force “aimed at eradicating streaming fraud.”
Music Business Worldwide