SoundCloud has hired Antonious Porch as its new General Counsel.
Porch will lead SoundCloud’s legal affairs and public policy strategy, and its global team of legal experts in content licensing, copyright, data protection and privacy, and corporate matters.
Porch (pictured) will be based in New York, and report to Chief Operating Officer, Michael Weissman.
The exec joins SoundCloud from London-HQ’d Shazam where he also served as General Counsel.
Shazam is currently in the process of being acquired by Apple for a pricetag believed to sit at around $400m, with EC regulators set to make a decision on the buyout next month.
“As the world’s largest open audio platform, SoundCloud is at the center of some of the most forward-looking legal discussions and content opportunities in music today,” said Michael Weissman, Chief Operating Officer, SoundCloud.
“Having led the legal teams at premier consumer digital music and media companies, Antonious is the ideal addition to ensure SoundCloud leads the way for audio creators and listeners to experience all forms of audio from around the globe–from original tracks to the latest remixes. I could not be more excited to welcome him to the team.”
Said Porch: “SoundCloud is the world’s leading open music and audio platform, with a passionate community of creators and listeners who are driving what’s new and next in music culture.
“I’m excited to join the team, and shape the strategies and policies that will support this one-of-a-kind creative community and content experience.”
Prior to Shazam, he spent over a decade at global media company, Viacom as Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Nickelodeon, and Vice President, Senior Counsel of Technology & Kids Compliance in Viacom’s corporate office.
Earlier in his career, he held roles at Classic Media (now DreamWorks Classics, part of NBCUniversal), and the law firms of Latham & Watkins and Morrison & Foerster. A Chicago native, he is a graduate of Yale College and Columbia Law School and also successfully completed a cable executive management program at Harvard Business School.
He serves on the board of the IRTS Foundation and lives in New York City.Music Business Worldwide
