Leading North American entertainment groups Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) and Artist Group International (AGI) have merged to form a new full-service agency, Independent Artist Group (IAG). Under the terms of the merger, Jim Osborne, president of APA, becomes IAG’s chief executive, with Dennis Arfa, founder of touring agency AGI, becoming chairman of AIAG’s …
Accesso acquires theme park ticketing leader VGS
Accesso Technology Group has acquired VGS, the ticketing and visitor management system provider whose clients include some of the world’s biggest theme parks. Following the deal, VGS’s SnApp platform will be rebranded as Accesso Horizon and operate as part of the Accesso product set. VGS’ global team, who are based in offices in Milan, Dubai, …
Nederlander backs Hollywoodcom Live theatre ticket venture
Entertainment news website Hollywoodcom and Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment (NWE) have announced the formation of a joint venture that will sell tickets for Broadway, West End and regional theatre shows. Hollywoodcom Live will leverage the news website’s reach to drive user traffic towards ticket sales. It will also cross-sell tickets to theatrical productions via youth-focussed theatre …
Oztix acquires Australian rival agency Local Tickets
Australian ticketing company Oztix has acquired small-events-focussed agency Local Tickets. Through the deal, Local Tickets, which specialises in events across Australia, will rebrand as LocalTix effective immediately. All LocalTix’s existing clients will automatically have access to an expanded suite of Oztix product features as part of the businesses coming together. Additionally, Oztix events will now …
Online giant Kakao announces major investment in K-pop leader SM Entertainment
Korean online media giant Kakao has bought an almost 10% stake in major K-pop agency SM Entertainment, whose clients include Aespa and SuperM. The acquisition of a 9.05% stake for an estimated $172.8m makes Kakao – which has interests in social media, banking and technology development – the second largest shareholder of SM Entertainment. The …
Warner Bros France subsidiary acquires talent agency Les Visiteurs du Soir
Warner Bros France subsidiary Décibels Productions has acquired a majority stake in French talent agency Les Visiteurs du Soir. Live entertainment and concert production company Décibels said it will run the agency, whose clients include domestic and international artists, in collaboration with existing stakeholder Morgane Production, while Olivier Gluzman remains managing director. Les Visiteurs du …
PIA Corporation backs VIP hospitality company Daimani Group
Tokyo-headquartered PIA Corporation has acquired a minority stake in Daimani Group, a global marketplace for VIP hospitality packages. Marketscreener reported that PIA invested around CHF 1.6m (£1.4m/€1.6m/$1.7m) and will hold a 5% stake in the Swiss start-up. PIA acquired the minority stake through a growth financing round. The two companies are active in the entertainment …
Deezer targets livestreaming growth through Driift expansion
UK livestreaming business Driift has acquired tech group Dreamstage in a deal backed by global music streaming giant Deezer. The partners said the deal will bring together Driift’s production capabilities with Dreamstage’s technology and commerce platform. The combined business will continue under the Driift name as an independent entity, run by chief executive Ric Salmon …
Secret Sounds acquires Spilt Milk operator Kicks Entertainment
Secret Sounds Group has expanded its leading role in the Australian festival sector after acquiring Spilt Milk operator Kicks Entertainment. Live Nation-backed Secret Sounds, which already operates Splendour In The Grass and the Secret Sounds festival, has now taken over the group which is behind the multi-city Spilt Milk, which is held in Canberra, Ballarat …
Private equity giant acquires stake in UTA agency
Private equity group EQT has become a strategic investor in United Talent Agency (UTA), which represents major artists such as Guns N Roses, Dolly Parton and Muse. EQT, which has around $100.0bn in assets under management, said the acquisition of the undisclosed stake recognises Beverly Hills-headquartered UTA’s recent growth trajectory and will help fuel future …