Following our report of SiriusXM’s engagement with, and investment in, podcast network Audio Up, we now learn more details of Audio Up’s network of investors and new board members.
As we knew, SiriusXM led a $12-million investment round for Jared Gutstadt-founded Audio Up, and the behemoth audio company also placed an executive (SVP Andrew Moss) on the Audio Up board. Today, details emerge about the investors and more board seats.
Audio Up has announced “a veritable ‘who’s who’ of the entertainment and advertising industries including multi-platinum recording artist The Weeknd, music executive Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, music manager Larry Rudolph, eOne CEO Darren Throop, founder of Draft FCB and Peloton board member Howard Draft, CEO of gaming/lifestyle giant FaZe Clan Lee Trink, Reservoir Media, Jordan Levy and Sacha Robles.”
New board members (in addition to previously mentioned Andrew Moss) are: Business Affairs and Programming Operations, Brian Edwards, President of Television Operations at MGM, Justin Shukat, founding partner and President at Primary Wave Music Publishing, Jared Gutstadt, Audio Up founder and CEO, Philip Alberstat, Audio Up COO, Darren Throop, and Howard Draft.
“Our mission is to transform the podcast space and make it a breeding ground for best-in class-IP,” said Audio Up founder and CEO Jared Gutstadt. “In success, we hope to be a mixed sandbox for the world of streamers; creating the music, TV and film formats of the future. I see podcasts the same way people looked at comic books prior to them becoming tentpole entertainment in the world of Hollywood. Our growing array of titles & music are a unique media mix timed perfectly for what will be a seismic media shift the likes we have not seen in our lifetime. The rise of digital audio in smart homes, smart cars and smart environments of the future is coming and we plan on filling those pipes with bold, innovative content.”
Audio Up shows 30-plus podcasts currently in production, the best known of which is probably Mea Culpa featuring ex-Trump associate Michael Cohen.
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