Paul Hastings LLP is representing Primary Wave Music, one of the largest and most successful independent music companies in the US, in a $150 million strategic alliance with BMG, which will involve Primary Wave marketing BMG/Primary Wave’s future new record releases in the US and BMG buying significant rights in Primary Wave’s music publishing assets.

As part of the agreement BMG will acquire an interest in such timeless songs such as Earth Wind & Fire’s ‘September’, Hall & Oates ‘Kiss On My List’, The Beatles ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ and Marvin Gaye’s ‘How Sweet it is’ and also significant rights in the independent music publisher’s legendary music catalogs. In addition, Primary Wave, will partner with BMG to create a new joint venture, BMG/Primary Wave Artist Services, which will focus on signing recording artists who already have a track record in the industry. Primary Wave’s current, in-house marketing team, which includes resources such as brand marketing, digital marketing, product management, press and TV/Film development, will act as the marketing arm for the artists signed to BMG / Primary Wave Artist Services. For more information about terms of the transaction please see Primary Wave’s website.

M&A partner Barry Brooks is leading the Paul Hastings team, which includes Tax partner Joseph Opich and associate Robert Clarke.