# Eric Allen

> Eric Allen is the CEO and President of LISNR, the Cincinnati-based company turning ordinary sound into a secure data channel. A self-described product guy with 30-plus years in software, he previously ran a $250M audio-fingerprinting business unit at Gracenote and helped win two Emmy Awards for interactive television. Since taking the helm in 2018, he has steered LISNR's pivot into contactless payments and proximity verification, attracting investment from Visa and pushing data-over-audio as a software alternative to NFC, Bluetooth, and QR codes.

- **Role:** CEO & President at LISNR
- **Organizations:** LISNR, Gracenote, Gravity Mobile, Retailigence Corporation, mobilQ, Itochu Technology, Dijit
- **Nationality:** American
- **Known for:** Led LISNR's pivot toward contactless payments and proximity verification using data-over-audio, Attracted strategic investment from Visa for ultrasonic authentication, Helped win two Emmy Awards (Interactive TV and Interactive TV Advertisement)

## Career timeline

- **pre-2018** — SVP and General Manager of Music, Auto and Addressability at Gracenote; also SVP of Professional Services. Ran a $250M audio-fingerprinting business unit.
- **2018** — Became CEO of LISNR, leading the company's global presence.
- **2020** — LISNR closed a Series C round with participation from Visa to accelerate contactless authentication via sound.

## Achievements

- Led LISNR's pivot toward contactless payments and proximity verification using data-over-audio
- Attracted strategic investment from Visa for ultrasonic authentication
- Helped win two Emmy Awards (Interactive TV and Interactive TV Advertisement)
- Ran a $250M business unit in audio fingerprinting at Gracenote
- Describes himself as a 4x exited founder per his LinkedIn profile

## Latest updates

- **2020-11** — LISNR closed Series C funding with Visa among investors, focused on contactless authentication via sound.

## Links

- Website: https://lisnr.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ericfallen
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/efallen/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/eric-allen
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-12