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New business acquires established music management company
Two firms have advised on the acquisition of an Australian music publishing and recording business with a 131-year history.
Emma Musgrave
Firms: Herbert Smith Freehills (BMG Australia); Norton Rose Fulbright (J. Albert & Son)
Value: Undisclosed
Area: M&A
Key players: The team advising BMG was led by Herbert Smith Freehills partners Kristin Stammer and Andrew Rich, and senior associate John Natal, with assistance from senior associate Melissa Sanghera and graduate Isabel Grelak.
Deal significance: BMG Australia has acquired Alberts following its national launch three months ago.
Alberts is a family-owned business with a 131-year history in the Australian music industry, having released records from some of our most well-known artists.
The company’s extensive portfolio includes AC/DC, The Easybeats, John Paul Young, Ted Mulry Gang, Rose Tattoo and The Angels.
The acquisition will see Alberts form part of BMG’s Sydney-based business, which has already signed contemporary Australian talent including Peking Duk, Wolfmother, L D R U, The Living End’s Chris Cheney and Wave Racer.
Under the terms of the acquisition, the majority of Alberts’ music publishing and recordings catalogue will be transferred to BMG; however, the Albert family will retain its interests in the AC/DC and Vanda, Young & Wright catalogues.
“We are delighted to have acted for BMG on its first Australian corporate acquisition,” said Ms Stammer.
“Alberts is one of the world’s leading independent music publishers and has a rich history in Australian music. Its acquisition by BMG promises to create a dynamic leader in the Australian music industry.
“Our team very much enjoyed working with the BMG team to finalise the documents in a short time frame. The firm has a long history acting for BMG’s affiliates on their significant Australian corporate transactions – we are very pleased to have had the opportunity to continue this association.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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