Entertainment transactions and finance practice leader Jordan Bromley and M&A partner Rich McDerby led Manatt’s representation of Wasserman Media Group in its acquisition of Paradigm Talent Agency’s North American live music representation business and the launch of Wasserman Music, the company’s new business unit devoted to the representation of music artists and their development. The core deal team from Manatt also included music associate Mackenzie Pearson, corporate and finance counsel Dieu Nguyen and entertainment associate Nancy Nan.
For decades, Wasserman has been a partner to the world’s most iconic brands, properties and talent in their endeavors across sports, entertainment and culture. The launch of Wasserman Music marks Wasserman’s foray into artist representation, which will afford its new roster—which boasts artists Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, The Lumineers, Dave Matthews Band, Janelle Monáe, Kacey Musgraves, Old Dominion, Phish, Ed Sheeran, Lorde, Normani, Diplo, DJ Snake and many others—access to the unparalleled suite of resources already in place at Wasserman, including a marketing and analytics pedigree, advising, and activating strategies for clients in the music business.
Manatt is honored to have played a leading role in the transaction and to be involved in this significant industry development. Wasserman Music will open with a strong balance sheet, more than 130 employees, and plans to expand assertively as the live entertainment business rebounds in 2021 and 2022. It has also made a commitment to build a more inclusive business and is hitting the ground running with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that will be central to its business model.
The transaction was completed with exceptional support from a range of Manatt professionals, including partners Robert Duran, John Gatti, David Herbst, Sandi King, Craig Miller and Michael Polentz; associates Natasha Azava, Nioura Ghazni, Bernard Mantel, John Meller, Edward Osher, Jonathan Weiss and Lucille White; and music assistant/clearance specialist Veronica Hartling.
To learn more about the acquisition, read Wassermans's announcement here.
For more information about Manatt’s music practice, click here.