The neighbouring rights market is growing. According to the IFPI, the sector grew in value from $1.4 billion in 2010 to $2.6bn in 2019 – and today brings news of a series new player entering this sector.
peermusic has acquired Canada-based Premier Muzik, France-based All Right Music and Netherlands-based Global Master Rights to form a new neighbouring rights company.
All three acquired firms will continue to operate under their current names while identifying as peermusic companies (ex. “Premier Muzik, peermusic neighbouring rights”) and out of their existing offices.
peermusic’s neighbouring rights client roster will be made up of the clients of the combined companies, encompassing over 300 record labels and more than 2,500 performers, including Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, DJ Snake, Metallica, Jacques Brel, Jean-Michel Jarre, Leonard Bernstein, Megan Thee Stallion, Finneas, Lady A, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Panic! At The Disco, Migos, and David Guetta, to name a few.
Clients from All Right Music, Premier Muzik, and Global Master Rights represented performers in 24% of Billboard’s 2019 Year-End Hot 100 songs and 40% of the 2019 Year-End Top 20 songs.
According to a press release announcing the news, discussions originated between Ralph Peer, II, Chair and CEO, peermusic and All Right Music’s Christophe Piot, with what is described as the “blockbuster deal” spearheaded by peermusic Deputy CEO Mary Megan Peer (pictured).
peermusic, which did not have neighbouring rights staff prior to the deal, plans to retain the staff of the existing companies with support from key peermusic staff in technology, finance and legal.
The five principals of the three acquired companies collectively have over 60 years’ experience in neighbouring rights, and all five will remain with peermusic post-acquisition.
Christophe Piot started his career in publishing in 1990 and founded All Right Music in 2004.
Gino Olivieri started his career as a DJ in 1977, then music production and as an A&R in the late 80s before founding Premier Muzik in 1989.
Gino Crescenza, Olivieri’s colleague at Premier, has over 35 years’ experience in music and has been with Premier since 2000.
Erik Veerman and Paul Smelt spent years working together in key positions at neighbouring rights organization SENA before co-founding Global Master Rights in 2014.
“Given the challenging market artists and songwriters currently face, I’m happy to be able to offer our clients new revenue opportunities through neighbouring rights services.”
Mary Megan Peer
The deals were brokered by Gowling WLG (Canada), Gowling WLG (France) and Dikhoff Van Dongen Advocaten (Holland). All Right Music was advised by Maximilien Jazani (Manswell Law Firm).
Premier Muzik was advised by Ciro Cucciniello (Cucciniello Calandriello Attorneys Inc.).
Global Master Rights was advised by Richard Goemans (Venture Lawyers).
Mary Megan Peer said: “Given the challenging market artists and songwriters currently face, I’m happy to be able to offer our clients new revenue opportunities through neighbouring rights services.
“Premier Muzik, All Right Music and Global Master Rights are first-class organizations and we’re very fortunate that peermusic can draw on the knowledge, experience, and leadership of Christophe, Gino, Gino, Erik and Paul.”
“This remarkable series of deals that Mary Megan put together accomplishes that, and I’m excited for the value it will bring our clients.”
Ralph Peer, II
Ralph Peer, II added: “Neighbouring rights are something we’ve been interested in for a long time, but we wanted to be sure that when we expanded our business into that space we could offer the same high level of service and technology that peermusic is known for.
“This remarkable series of deals that Mary Megan put together accomplishes that, and I’m excited for the value it will bring our clients.”
“We are thrilled to make use of their global platform to offer more extensive services to our worldwide clients.”
Christophe Piot
Christophe Piot said: “I have known peermusic for quite a long time and have been able to connect with their colleagues around the world.
“They all share the same model of transparency and integrity we offer to our clients, so we are thrilled to make use of their global platform to offer more extensive services to our worldwide clients.”Music Business Worldwide
