HYBE America has announced the appointment of Gene Whitney as its new General Counsel, further strengthening the company’s leadership team as it accelerates expansion across music, entertainment, and intellectual property. The appointment was confirmed on January 12, with Whitney set to oversee HYBE America’s legal strategy throughout North and South America.
In his new role, Whitney will guide corporate governance across HYBE America’s business units while supporting the company’s continued growth in international markets. He brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of music, technology, and media, having previously held senior roles at Riot Games, Amazon Music, Meta, SoundCloud, Vevo, and Universal Music Group.
“Gene brings a rare combination of legal expertise, business acumen, and a deep understanding of how music operates across emerging platforms,” said Isaac Lee, Chairman and CEO of HYBE America. “His leadership will be instrumental as HYBE continues to expand globally and elevate the value of our artists, IP, and creative ecosystem.”
Whitney joins HYBE America from Riot Games, where he most recently served as Global Head of Music Business Affairs and Label Operations. During his tenure, he oversaw Riot’s global music strategy and licensing framework across gaming, esports, and virtual entertainment. He also played a key role in shaping Riot’s approach to integrating music into interactive platforms, negotiating partnerships with major labels, publishers, and rights holders worldwide.
“I’m honored to join HYBE at such a pivotal moment,” Whitney said. “HYBE America is redefining the future of music, storytelling, and global fandom, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s next chapter of innovation and expansion.”
Whitney will be based in Los Angeles and began his role in early January. His appointment follows a series of leadership moves by HYBE America as the company continues to broaden its global footprint beyond K-pop into gaming, multimedia storytelling, and transmedia IP.
Source: HYBE
