NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Madison Square Garden Company (Nasdaq: MSG ) and Azoff Music Management (AMM) today announced that they have reached an agreement to create a new music, media and entertainment company focused on continuing the development of AMM's existing businesses and exploring new ventures and growth opportunities that maximize opportunities for clients, partners and associated brands. The new company, to be called Azoff MSG Entertainment LLC (Company), will continue Azoff's long history of creating new avenues and opportunities for artists, enabling them to realize the full value of their creative vision.
The Company is a new-model music, media and entertainment company, at the forefront of the emerging revenue streams and groundbreaking technologies of the fast-changing 21 st century, which will put artists and their fans first, and create ongoing opportunities for artists and talent in today's changing marketplace, maximizing their potential through innovative marketing, branding and live events.
MSG Executive Chairman James Dolan has long recognized Azoff's leadership role in the music and entertainment businesses, dating back to 2008, when MSG was a key investor in Front Line Management Group (then managed by Azoff), and then later during Azoff's tenure with Live Nation Entertainment.
AMM will contribute to the Company its existing artist management business and other businesses that are in development. A subsidiary of MSG will pay AMM $125 million for a 50% interest in the Company and will also agree to provide up to $50 million of revolving credit loans to the Company.
The Company is expected to be a platform for the future growth of MSG, and will commence business with four integrated units, each designed to achieve maximum value for artists and brands in today's evolving business environment and new media platforms.
- Azoff Music Management – Irving Azoff will continue to provide management services to such superstar clients as the Eagles, Van Halen, Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, Christina Aguilera and Steely Dan and other long standing Azoff clients.
- Global Music Rights – The Company will own a 90% interest in a music publishing venture run by CEO Randy Grimmett and COO Sean O'Malley, whose business is the acquisition, development, licensing and exploitation of copyrighted works for the purposes of music publishing, co-publishing, licensing, administering, developing a musical library, and acting as an agent on behalf of such works. Grimmett and O'Malley bring with them more than 25 years of combined experience of music publishing in public performance royalty licensing and distribution.
- Television Production and Live Event Branding -- A new television production and live event branding unit, to be headed by Lawrence Randall, former head of programming and entertainment for the National Football League (NFL). The unit will acquire, develop, produce and exploit live and televised event entertainment through organic growth and acquisitions.
- Digital Brand Architects (DBA) – The Company will own a 50% ownership interest in this business in support of its growth and expansion plans. DBA is managed by Karen Robinovitz, Raina Penchansky and Kendra Bracken-Ferguson. DBA manages more than 70 notable bloggers, connects them with brands, and provides consultancy services to many brands looking to exploit opportunities in the social media network space. Allison Statter will oversee and coordinate this unit on behalf of the Company.
- In addition, the Company will partner with Brian Schuster and leading digital technology company ACTV8, along with United Talent Agency, in a worldwide rollout of "Streets of the City." It is the first ever completely interactive, live music discovery TV show that allows viewers to scout street talent and support contestants on the show through crowd-funding on TV.
"This joint venture provides a unique opportunity for MSG to strengthen its position within the music, entertainment and media landscape in conjunction with Irving Azoff – one of the true giants of the industry," Dolan said. "Our previous investment with Irving's companies provided a positive return for MSG, and we believe this new venture offers us a compelling platform from which to capitalize on the enormous opportunities inherent in today's dynamic entertainment environment."
"The mission of our new venture is to go into a business where we can better an artist's welfare, well-being and their ability to market their products," Azoff added. "We're looking for artist-friendly and, as a result, fan-friendly projects. One way we'll accomplish this is by supporting talent's vision and committing capital, along with management consultation, in a variety of fields, to assist the artists in realizing their creative vision."
In addition to his role as Chairman and CEO of the Company, Irving Azoff will provide consultancy and advisory services to MSG in connection with the management of its live event venues. This includes the Forum in Inglewood, CA, which MSG acquired in June of 2013, and other MSG-managed buildings.
In turn, in addition to its financial investment in the Company, MSG executives will provide the Company with consulting services based on their years of experience in live event production.
The consummation of the transaction is subject to customary governmental filings and other customary conditions. LionTree Advisors served as MSG's financial advisor on the transaction.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The Company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the Company's overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the Company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports owns and operates the following sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, bull riding and tennis. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from the Company's venues. MSG Media's television networks consist of regional sports networks, MSG Network and MSG+, collectively referred to as MSG Networks; and Fuse, a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Networks also include high-definition channels, MSG HD and MSG+ HD, and Fuse includes its high-definition channel, Fuse HD. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in the Company's diverse collection of venues. These venues consist of Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA, The Chicago Theatre, and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com .
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CONTACT: Barry Watkins The Madison Square Garden Company 212-465-5920 Barry.watkins@msg.com Larry Solters Scoop Marketing 818-761-7185 solters@solters.com
