Ceci Kurzman

The UPROXX newco is a smart media M&A rollup. Music and culture focus + a strong leadership team. I'm bullish on them doing well by *brands and fans*, and getting immediate revenue traction based on their WMG YouTube media sales partnership. In my newsletter tomorrow, I explain my insights on the deal, key questions I'm asking, why I think UPROXX STUDIOS is setup for success. For now, let's review the key deal details... UPROXX STUDIOS OVERVIEW • A new ���brand solutions studio” that “connects brands with talent, cultural arenas, and audiences”  • Founded by media veterans Jarret Myer (CEO), Rich Antoniello (Exec Chairman), and will.i.am (Chief Visionary Officer) • Result of acquisitions of Uproxx, HipHopDX, Dime Magazine, and other Warner Music Group media assets • Reaches 170M+ monthly US visitors and generates 12B+ monthly US video views POST DEAL OPS • “Expect significant investments in our brands, team, and the experiences we offer” • Includes the excl license to represent WMG’s YouTube inventory for all US media sales  • Will integrate will.i.am’s FYI AI tech and FYI radio into ops UPROXX DIVISIONS • Uproxx – Millennial-focused culture media brand and production co (acquired by WMG in 2018) • HipHopDX – Digital mag of hip hop music criticism and news (acquired by WMG in 2020) • Dime Magazine – Digital mag of American basketball lifestyle (acquired by Uproxx in 2015) • FYI – productivity tool designed to serve Creatives. Combines messaging and collab tools with file mgmt and content pub features NEWCO VALUE PROP  • Access to A-list stars via WMG YouTube inventory + UPROXX superfan communities gives brands and advertisers new ways to participate in music culture • FYI AI tech will enable creation of AI StoryLabs, a new branded content and social media mgmt unit within UPROXX Studios  • "Merging the agility and freedom of an independent entity with the reach and resources of a major music label.” UPROXX HISTORY • f/k/a as Uproxx • Founded 2008 by Jarrett Meyer and Brian Bater (also co-founded Rawkus Records in 1996) • Acquired by male-focused media ad network Woven Digital in 2015 • Rebranded to Uproxx Media, Jarrett became GM • Bought by WMG in 2018 • Price undisclosed, but previous Uproxx Media investment was ~$43M • Value prop of acquisition was to “create engaging new experiences for young consumers, global promotional possibilities for brands, and innovative marketing opportunities for artists” • WMG exec Max Lousada and Uproxx co-founder Jarrett Myer used to work together at Rawkus Records WMG RELATED HISTORY • Announced 600 layoffs in Feb 2024, incl potential sale of Uproxx and HipHopDX • Also wound down its podcasting brand Interval Presents and social media publisher IMGN • Overall faced challenges in its O&O and digital brand sales biz -- I'm the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, and creator economy. My DMs are open.

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Music Business Association Music Biz 2024 coming up in May. Find out more about Reactional Music and what we are delivering across interactive music, music personalisation, in-game economies, generative composable music and the possibilities for creators, composers, artists and developers

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Paying out an additional £6 million (approx. USD $7.7 million) in royalties from online services - “UK-based royalty collection society PRS for Music says it will be paying out an additional GBP £6 million (approx. USD $7.7 million) in royalties from online services to songwriters and composers annually, thanks to a reduction in its administration rate. The collection society said it’s reducing its admin rate on multi-territory online (MTOL) royalties by 20% – from a 10% rate to an 8% rate – as a result of the CMO “surpassing its targets, delivering historic distributions and revenues, and becoming a billion-pound society.” Announced at its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) today (June 4), PRS estimates the reduction will see £1.5 million more paid out to members in each of its quarterly royalty distributions starting from October this year.” #PRS #CMOs #UK #MusicRoyaties #Songwriters #Composers #MusicPublishing #Music #MusicBusiness #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicBiz

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“…music copyright valuation continues to grow at an accelerated pace. The global valuation ascribed to music copyright reached $41.5bn, according to industry economist Will Page. This is 14.5% more than 2022. More folks are streaming music than ever before. Vinyl sales are up. Concert ticket sales surpassed 2019’s figures, according to Live Nation. And beneath all of this are the songs, or copyrighted works. Without them, there would be no tours, no vinyl records and no streaming services. Funds that invest in this intellectual property are expected to continue to see a return. But across the industry, this is not the case.” “There are reasons for this - based both on data and perception. Qualitatively, the way the music industry - as a monolith - is perceived continues to be challenged. For example, in BBC’s daily news podcast, Global Story, a report on Taylor Swift referred to the music industry as ‘in crisis’ despite the macroeconomic data arguing otherwise. This is supported by the evidence of burgeoning inequality. While arenas and stadiums celebrate a bumper year, small music venues in the UK suffered their “worst year in a decade” according to the Music Venue Trust. Music education hubs - often the places where music is first created - are being cut by two-thirds in 2024-2025. However, quantitatively, the data reveals a different story. Music listenership is up, according to the IFPI. Revenue collections from CISAC, the international trade body representing collective management organizations was up 28% in 2022. Simply, more music would mean more return, especially for firms that own much of the music that is consumed, such as funds like Hipgnosis, Round Hill or Primary Wave or the three multinationals, Universal Music Group, Warner Music and Sony Music. However, debt is now more expensive, and liabilities are outstripping return. Listening to more music is not enough.” #CMOs #CISAC #IFPI #Artists #UK #RecordingRights #Performers #Royalties #MusicRoyalties #Music #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #Copyright #Copyrights #Songs #Songwriters #Recordings #MusicPublishing #Streams #Streaming #MusicStreaming #LiveMusic #Global #RecordedMusic #RecordLabels #IndieMusic

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Deepna Devkar, Ph.D. what a treat having you on the podcast! If you’ve ever wondered what goes into building your personalised experience on Max, this is the episode for you. Tune in to hear from one of the minds leading the build of the platform experience!

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Paramount Global’s future is uncertain as Bob Bakish steps down amid the company’s M&A drama. Check out Szymon Karbowski's latest post. He shares his opinions on market trends and the current situation of the streaming media, answering these questions and many more. Follow his profile to stay up-to-date when it comes to industry news, technology updates, and market analysis. Szymon shares his expertise regarding Pay TV operators, broadcasters, content providers, telcos, and MSOs. #SzymonKarbowski #StreamVX #BobBakish #ParamountGlobal #ShariRedstone #Viacom #SkydanceMedia #RedBirdCapital #SonyPictures #ApolloGlobalManagement #TheWallStreetJournal #CNBC #NBCUniversal #Comcast

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#UnHollywood: The Golden Age of Indie Film The Indie Film Revolution has begun! We are all captivated by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. As aspiring filmmakers and theater artists, we've grown up dreaming of reaching the major studio levels, Broadway, and fantasizing about leaving our mark on the stage and screen. However, as much as we adore and admire Hollywood, it's crucial to recognize that the movie industry has increasingly prioritized commercial success over story and creativity, forcing many of us to reevaluate our paths. This reality has led to the rise of a new era – the Golden Age of Indie Film! An electrifying period that celebrates authentic storytelling, diverse perspectives, and creative freedom. The Indie Film Revolution champions the artists who dare to challenge the major studio system and redefine the future of filmmaking. While Hollywood may not always open its doors to the incredible talent that exists beyond its gates, the Golden Age of Indie Film reminds us that there's another way to make our dreams come true. By joining forces and embracing the power of independent artistry, we can create opportunities and forge a path that values creativity and originality above all else. Together, we can build a world where independent filmmakers and theater artists thrive and push the boundaries of storytelling in ways never seen before. We believe in the power of authentic storytelling and its ability to connect us on a deeper level. IFT Network's infrastructure is designed to support the entire journey of independent film and theater production: • The IFT Network Writing Room: A dedicated virtual space for script development and collaboration. • Producer Community: A network of talented producers ready to bring projects to life. • Streaming Platform: A global stage that offers independent filmmakers and theater artists an opportunity to showcase their work to audiences worldwide. • Marketing and Promotion: A comprehensive support system, including the IFT Network Marketing Agency, that assists independent artists in amplifying their projects' visibility and connecting with their target audiences. • Community Share Program: A system that shares revenue with each film and show on the platform, ensuring mutual success within the IFT Network community. Our long-term vision includes expanding our infrastructure even further: • Indie FIlm Theater Fund: A future venture fund tailored specifically for indie film and theater projects within our ecosystem. • Physical Studio: A dedicated space for production and collaboration, fostering innovation and growth. • Theater Partnerships: Partnering with or owning theater venues to provide opportunities for live performances. Join us as we redefine the future of storytelling and prove that the power of authentic, independent artistry cannot be ignored.

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I’m thrilled to share exciting new research No Guarantees has commissioned in partnership with leading trends and generation research firm Culture Co-Op. The report explores what Gen Z and Millennials think about Broadway, examines the reasons they aren’t showing up, and suggests strategic steps the industry can take to cultivate new, engaged audiences. The research shows that Gen Z and Millennials’ lack of Broadway attendance is not due to details like a particular show’s cast, subject matter, or number of awards it has received. Instead, it’s a handful of deep misconceptions about Broadway itself, like confusion about ticket prices, the number of shows playing at any given time, access to tickets, and who Broadway is even meant for. The great news for Broadway is that while Gen Z & Millennials may not know much about individual shows or what’s happening in the theater industry, the Broadway brand remains extraordinarily strong. They are curious about us, and 91% even reported being more interested in Broadway simply by taking the survey! They’re ready to be brought into the fold. This gives all of us the ability to appeal to the existing interest of new, young audiences and develop a modern, actionable strategy to make it happen - to meet people where they really are. There’s so much to dive into so please check out the full report, which you can download at noguarantees.com. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or ideas!

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Another round of excitement and rebirths to emerge from #Hollywood as #Paramount, the original producer of #thegodfather seeks to re-create itself as a creative-tech hybrid. I am curious to see what the meat on those bones, given the tendency for large companies to use technology at its edges rather than making it a core operational focus. The fact they have now referenced #directoconsumer, #AI, and even #layoffs suggests that they are looking at the right things and understand the difficult challenges for legacy companies to compete in the new era. The fact that David Ellison's father is CEO of Oracle and is part of the deal makes these claims a little more credible. Expect to see more of these #spins as those left reeling from the #streamingwars find their next footing. #innovation

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Thrilled to announce the formation of a pioneering advisory group aimed at addressing sustainability challenges within live music. We've united an incredible group of more than 50 industry leaders -- music executives incl. Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl and Live Nation Entertainment CEO Michael Rapino, artists incl. #elliegoulding, touring teams for #coldplay, #billieeilish, #harrystyles, and #jackjohnson, event organizers, venue managers, production experts, sustainability leaders, and NGOs. This group will provide expertise and advice on our upcoming sustainable touring report with MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, Warner Music Group, Live Nation Entertainment, Hope Solutions, and our artist #coldplay. The report will: * assess the relationship between live music and climate change * identify tangible areas where the industry and concert goers can reduce their environmental impact   * assess the newest technologies that the industry can tap into to meet sustainability goals It takes an ecosystem to make real and meaningful change - and I can think of no better group than this one to help us lead the charge. #Sustainability #LiveMusic #GreenEvents #Collaboration #Innovation #EcosystemSolutions #Partnerships Madeleine Smith, MHS John E. Fernández Lucy August-Perna Lukas Howell MSI CEnv FIEMA FRSA Brian Levine Adam Met Caius Pawson Harlan Frey Jaime Nack https://lnkd.in/dfm6Y-Zg

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Mission: Impossible—Troika Force Logline: In a world where media giants wrestle for dominance, Paramount Global entrusts its fate to ‘THE TROIKA’— 3 visionary leaders tasked with a high-stakes mission to rescue the studio from the brink. Through strategic cuts, covert partnerships, and bold innovations, they race against time to save PARA from collapse. Will they succeed in this epic quest, or will their efforts be the final act in a storied legacy? Originally seen as a temporary fix, ‘THE TROIKA’ is now set to steer the ship through some stormy seas and possibly redefine Paramount’s future. With PARA’S $14 billion debt & lagging stock, ‘THE TROIKA’ are tasked with making tough decisions, including significant layoffs & asset sales. Their goal? Transforming Paramount into a leaner, more agile company. Despite the unconventional setup and skepticism from some analysts, the team has a unified vision & close working relationship, always a good omen — if sustained. Cough. However, their success could end up paving the way for JUST 1 of them to take the helm — solo — eventually. #ParamountGlobal #Leadership #MediaIndustry #BusinessTransformation #filmindustry #entertainment #media #business #news

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Bob Bakish steps down as CEO of Paramount Global. Amid the M&A drama enveloping Paramount Global, Bob Bakish is stepping down as CEO after eight years at the helm of Shari Redstone's media empire. Bakish resigned under pressure. The executive has been with Paramount and its predecessor Viacom since 1997. He was hired by Redstone in 2016 to help bring stability to the company amid a public legal battle between shareholders and a fight for control between Redstone and former Viacom CEO Philippe Daumanamd. The Wall Street Journal is the first media source to report the situation with Bob Bakish. Paramount's board is currently in exclusive takeover talks with Skydance Media and RedBird Capital. Another group, Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management, is poised to make a formal all-cash offer for the company next week as the May 3 expiration date of the exclusive negotiation window with Skydance approaches. As Skydance talks have dragged on for months, it's become clear that Skydance CEO David Ellison would take the helm of the enlarged Paramount-Skydance operation, while RedBird executive Jeff Shell, formerly CEO of NBC Universal and a longtime Comcast executive, would serve as Ellison's No. 2, overseeing day-to-day operations. There was no pretense of carving out a role for Bakish. Bakish will step down as CEO when the sale is completed. Whoever acquires Paramount Global does not matter. The company has been through the wringer over the past year. A falling stock price, losses in the company's streaming division, weak earnings in consecutive quarters - these are the main reasons to say goodbye to Mr Bakish. CNBC reported that Bakish's exit was hastened by his opposition to the merger plan with Skydance. Let me know, what are your thoughts about this topic. You can find a link to the full article in the first comment under this post. Follow my profile to stay up-to-date when it comes to industry news, technology updates, and market analysis. #SzymonKarbowski #StreamVX #BobBakish #ParamountGlobal #ShariRedstone #Viacom #SkydanceMedia #RedBirdCapital #SonyPictures #ApolloGlobalManagement #TheWallStreetJournal #CNBC #NBCUniversal #Comcast

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I am deeply honored to be nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal Leadership Award. This recognition not only highlights my commitment to excellence and innovation in our industry, but also reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. It is a privilege to stand among such distinguished professionals, and I am inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of leadership and success. #leadership #LeadershipAward #arykasandybots #panthertrailfilms #losangelesbusinessjournal

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O P T I M I S T I C ! ! ”Los Angeles Film and TV Production Sees Sluggish Rebound From Strikes, but There’s Optimism” according to a report from FilmLA which notes an anemic return to filming in the region but that jobs appeared to return in full force in March. Filming in Los Angeles has been slow to bounce back after production in the region was decimated by Hollywood’s historic season of strikes.  The main reason for the sluggish rebound: A double-digit drop in television shoots compared to the same period last year.  Also playing a factor in the decline were reductions in content spend across most major studios, series cancellations and runaway production.  While the difference was steep in January (30.6 percent fewer jobs, totaling 2,282), it was modest in February (5.1 percent fewer jobs, totaling 3,061) and nearly unnoticeable by the end of March (a 0.4 percent increase, totaling 3,274 jobs).  There’s optimism in production levels for feature films. The category rose slightly in the quarter, picking up 634 shoot days to finish an estimated 7 percent ahead of the same months last year. Movies in production included Beverly Hills Cop 4, Atlas, and Lurker, all of which are getting tax credits to film in California.  FilmLA also flagged the loss of commercial production — which slipped nearly 10 percent year-over-year and more than 33 percent below the five-year average — to other jurisdictions as a concern. Filming for smaller, lower-cost shoots, such as documentaries, music videos and still photography, similarly fell by roughly 5 percent. Entertainment Partners https://lnkd.in/g5veEE6R https://lnkd.in/gjhbnQdG

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Check out the latest news of WildBrain CPLG with Meike de Vaere ⬇️

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One of the most common questions I get asked by investors is “what is your moat?” When they inquire about the competitive protection of Iconic Arts, they often expect to hear about our proprietary technology, exclusive partnerships or market barriers we've constructed. But my answer is different, and it often takes them by surprise: "Our people are our moat”, I tell them. Why People Over Products? The world is teeming with cutthroat competition and rapid technological evolution, the unique selling proposition of any company can quickly become obsolete. However, one of the assets that remains irreplaceable and grows more valuable over time is a unified, talented and dedicated team. I’ve been a part of too many companies where the founders and executives are not aligned and the people are just a commodity that are used when needed then discarded when it’s not convenient. This will only get you so far until it doesn’t work. You could have crafted the coolest brand, most beautiful product or perfect business model. If your entire team isn’t fully aligned with a clear vision of where you’re going and what the purpose is, you might as well stop now and re-asses who you’re working with. It’s taken 15 years to build the Iconic Arts moat. Years of fostering relationships and friendships with forward thinking storytellers and innovators from different industries coming together. That’s Iconic Arts, a unified vision of the most creative individuals to develop timeless stories across transmedia. Alec Griffen Roth Matthew Medney Mo Yazdani Jack Sheehan Aric Jain Omar Abdelwahed Rob Carroll Gilberto Sánchez Peter Hansell Chris Heatherly Mark Caplan Charles Lew Will.i.am Chris Mattmann Eric Roth Brian Selzer Minoru Hagiwara Motoki Tani

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This week, for my Artist Representation Course, I have chosen to highlight an article written by Dade Hayes for Deadline, which discusses a surge in Paramount shares after a meeting with a potential investor. According to the article, Paramount's stock saw a 13% rise after a meeting between Apollo Global Management and Sony Pictures Entertainment hinted at the two joining forces to take Paramount. Shares reached their highest point since earlier this year in February, which may also give investors a potential look into the future if this partnership pans out. But, investors shouldn't be holding their breath, as Skydance Media will in a negotiating window with Paramount for the next two weeks. Apollo has had several preliminary conversations about both Paramount Pictures and Paramount Global, but none have particularly stunned Shari Redstone, who has 77% of the voting power at National Amusements, Paramount's parent company. Overall, Paramount has a lot of issues, which I have slightly covered in my weekly coverage, so it is interesting to see growing interest in the company. Though Apollo and Sony aren't offering what some say the company is worth, I don't think the other investors will count them out as fast as Redstone. Esquire Group Inc. Eva Casey Link: https://lnkd.in/gJEVn4uh

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