Live Nation acquiring talent!
New york times has an article on what looks to be a deal between Live Nation and Jay-Z which would lock him for a long period on several sides of the business.
The sum thrown around is $150 Million, which would make it one of the largest ever deals in the music industry for talent, this would be the third high profile deal Live Nation has signed in the last few months, after snatching Madonna over from Warnerbrothers, and signing on U2 for their future merchandise and concert offerings.
Live Nation’s stock have been taking a hit, and a lot of analysts is striking down their effort in trying to grow in to a serious publisher (well serious they are already, but move in to the big 4 i guess). All i can say is that i love it, Live Nation is taking the jump on acquiring talent at a huge cost (Sucks being a public company in their case i would say) - But taking the risk, saying by acquiring some of the best talent in their industry, hoping that secondary talents will follow. I agree with their views that the price for acquiring real unique talent, is almost never to high. Live Nation might come out at the top or bankruptcy, i doubt they will stay in the middle of anything, all i can say is i hope it goes well, because i love the risk they are taking (again sucks being public company, and have to make that jump with stockholders, but still)
