eOne Moves Into Live Music Biz With Round Room Buy
With at least one Toronto music festival planned, the global entertainment co. has plans to incorporate merchandise, VIP and ticketing solutions into the mix in year one.
By David Farrell
Canadian-based, UK-traded Entertainment One, which does business as eOne, has taken over New York-based production company Round Room Entertainment for an undisclosed sum.
The deal is expected to give eOne a pathway into the live touring business.
The Round Room company — which specializes in the development and acquisition of film and television properties — will also move into artist exhibits, such as the recent Rolling Stones and David Bowie touring exhibits, according to Billboard.
The acquisition will also allow eOne to delve into “classic artist touring and packaging,” eOne’s Global President, Music, Chris Taylor says. “We do a lot in the adult urban stage, the metal stage. It’s not far-fetched to think we could package and co-produce or co-promote tours.”
In an email yesterday from Vancouver, Taylor told FYI that Round Room “is working with our music division to consider packaging a festival property (or 2) in Toronto.” He added that “I know we have a bit of festival fatigue in the market but I think we have some exciting ideas that offer a different twist on the typical approach that would involve food and/or non-alternative music fare.”
Further to this, eOne has plans to incorporate merchandise, VIP and ticketing solutions into the mix in year one.
Before entering the live attractions business, eOne has built a $1B+ enterprise specializing in development, acquisition, production and distribution of entertainment content via film, television and music properties.
This isn't the first deal for eOne. In 2015, the company acquired 51 percent of The Mark Gordon Company (MGC).
Since then, the two companies have established an independent studio, producing and financing film, network, cable, and digital premium content. Under the stewardship of Gordon, the MGC has produced feature films such as 2017's Murder on the Orient Express; and the upcoming The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.
Phase 4 Films is another property recently purchased by eOne.
Among the other high-profile partnerships, eOne has in place include Amblin Partners with Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media and Reliance Entertainment; as well as record label Dualtone Music Group and television production company Renegade 83. Its rights library includes more than 80,000 hours of film and television content and roughly 40,000 music tracks.
The expansion into the live attractions business was inspired by Donald Tarlton and his ventures on Broadway, Taylor explains. “(Round Room co-president) Jonathan Linden was lead producer on Rock of Ages, the 27th longest-running show in Broadway history. It played in Vegas, London, Australia, Japan and all over the world. We are considering projects in this area right now.”
Currently, eOne’s music division houses a team of management, music labels and publishing brands with offices in Canada, the UK, US, Germany, and Australia.
– Sources: Chris Taylor, eOne, Billboard, BMW and NY Business Journal
