Singer-songwriter Enrique Iglesias and music rights platform Influence Media Partners have announced a new major partnership deal spanning his professional career along with name, image, and likeness rights to expand future licensing opportunities. “My songs hold immense significance for both my fans and me. I’m excited to be working with the Influence Media team. I feel confident we will build an enduring partnership for my music and future projects,” said Iglesias.
Alter Kendrick & Baron has been recognized as a 2024 “Best Law Firm” by Best Lawyers®, the legal industry’s oldest and widely respected ranking publication. The firm was ranked on both the national and New York metropolitan area lists for the Entertainment Law - Music and Copyright Law categories.
“Best Law Firms” rankings are based on an intensive evaluation process in which the firms nationwide are ranked by their clients and peers in their respective practice areas, based on a set of criteria including responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, integrity, and civility, as well as whether they would refer a matter to the firm and/or consider the firm a worthy competitor.
Primary Wave has announced a partnership with the estate of Isaac Hayes to administer the late singer-songwriter-producer’s publishing interests. Additionally, the union will see Brookfield-backed Primary Wave market the name, image, and likeness of the longtime South Park voice actor Hayes, who released at least 20 studio albums as a solo act (1969’s Hot Buttered Soul chief among them) and penned well-known works including “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Coming” during his decades-long career.
The firm is pleased to announce that Lisa Alter has been included among The Hollywood Reporter’s 2023 list of New York City’s 25 leading lawyers handling big-ticket entertainment work. Lisa was recognized for her music catalog deals on behalf of numerous top music industry players/numerous top music publishers and investment funds.
To view the full list, click below.
Influence Media Partners has acquired music catalogs from Grammy Award-winning producers 30 Roc and Dre Moon. Influence noted that its deal with Dre Moon covers 118 tracks, including hits like Heartless by The Weeknd, Drunk In Love by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z, and Armed and Dangerous by Juice WRLD.
Influence Media Partners and Warner Chappell Music Nashville have announced a partnership with Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and DJ Jesse Frasure. According to a press release, as part of the deal, the companies are investing in Frasure’s full publishing catalog, encompassing more than 160 songs.
Lisa Alter was recently quoted in articles from USA Today and Axios following the news that Katy Perry sold her music catalog to Litmus Music for $225 million.
"(Artists) know this may not last forever," Lisa previously told USA Today. "Buyers may run out of money. And it makes a lot of sense for someone later in their career. Why not enjoy (the money) while I can? It can also create a simpler situation for heirs that they’re just inheriting money. And younger artists are looking at (the trend) and saying, my work is generating significant income today, so why not get the money now while my work is really hot?"
Axios referenced Lisa’s “1 Big Meal” interview earlier this year in which she explained that many investment firms have been buying music rights in recent years as they are increasingly viewing music as a strong asset.
The full articles can be found below.
Katy Perry sells music catalog to Litmus Music for reported $225 million - USA Today
Katy Perry sells catalog rights to Litmus Music - Axios
The ICM Crescendo Music Royalty Fund acquired a catalogue of songs and royalty interests from multi-platinum chart-topping record producer, songwriter, and musician, Simone Felice. The catalogue acquisition includes rights to The Lumineers’ last three hit albums, Cleopatra, III and Brightside, Vance Joy and Shania Twain’s newest album, Queen of Me. Simone Felice is the in-house producer for the Grammy-Award nominated band The Lumineers.
NEW YORK CITY, NY – September 14, 2023 – Alter, Kendrick & Baron, LLP (“AKB”) is pleased to announce the addition of Madison Smiley as an associate in the firm. Madison brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of complex acquisition and asset-backed lending transactions, with a strong emphasis on the music industry.
Prior to joining Alter, Kendrick & Baron, Madison launched her legal career at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where she honed her skills with the finance group of the firm's corporate department, gaining valuable experience in negotiating and drafting transactional documents.
At AKB, Madison joins a collective that has advised on major music acquisition deals for the likes of James Brown, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, and the Strokes, at a firm that has completed more than 200 deals totaling over $6B in value over the last 24 months.
"AKB has a reputation of punching above its weight in the music business,” noted Madison. “Being in a position to work directly with and learn from the Senior Partners is a significant milestone in my career, and I'm dedicated to upholding the high standards they've set in the industry."
"We are thrilled to welcome Madison to our team," said Lisa A. Alter, Founding Partner of Alter, Kendrick & Baron, LLP. "Her addition reflects our firm’s commitment to hiring the best available talent to assist our clients with navigating the most complex transactions.”
Madison earned her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, where she received a certificate in Intellectual Property, Media, and Information Law. During her time in law school, Madison was a dedicated member of the Brooklyn Law Review and completed legal internships at various prestigious entertainment law firms, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She graduated summa cum laude from Belmont University in 2018 with a B.B.A. in Music Business.
Primary Wave Music has announced a music rights deal with Dennis DeYoung, a founding member of the iconic rock band Styx. The deal will see Primary Wave acquire the music publishing catalog rights for a majority of compositions written by DeYoung, and master recording rights for a majority of recordings featuring his performances.