New York-based independent music rights company Reservoir Media has acquired a stake in UK-based Big Life Management as part of a new partnership between the two companies.
MBW understands that Reservoir now owns an undisclosed interest in both Big Life’s artist management business and its publishing firm, Big Life Music – which controls more than 3,000 copyrights.
According to company filings, Big Life’s management company was previously 100% owned by CEO Tim Parry, who became the firm’s sole shareholder following the death of his former business partner Jazz Summers in 2015. At the turn of this year, Parry also owned a 40% stake in Big Life Music Ltd.
The news represents an expansion into artist management for Reservoir, which isn’t a stranger to UK acquisitions: in 2012 it bought respected London-based publisher Reverb Music, using it as a base to launch its UK operation.
Parry, who will continue to serve as CEO of both Big Life Management and Big Life Music, said: “I’ve known Reservoir/Reverb Music Managing Director Annette Barrett and Reservoir SVP of Creative and A&R Spek for many years and what they and the Reservoir team have achieved globally over the last decade is remarkable.
“They are one of most creatively focused and innovative independent music publishers and always put the songwriter right at the middle of their decision making. Our approaches to working with creative talent are aligned and this new agreement will see us both benefit from the experience and expertise of our respective teams. When the opportunity came up to work with Spek and Annette it seemed like the perfect fit for Big Life.”
“Our approaches to working with creative talent are aligned and this new agreement will see us both benefit from the experience and expertise of our respective teams.”
Tim Parry, Big Life
Big Life’s current management roster includes Adem, Badly Drawn Boy, Bloc Party, Bright Sparks, Gethin Pearson, HAARM, Hifi Sean, joan, Joe Cross, Lyves, The Sound of Arrows, To Kill A King, WILLS and Youth.
The firm also looks after Reservoir-signed songwriters Nitin Sawhney, Craigie Dodds and Turya.
Big Life’s publishing arm counts a roster of songwriters including Archive, Cloud Castle Lake, The Coronas, Mick Flannery, Yehan Jehan, Joe Cross, John Ainsworth, Drew McConnell, Neon Indian, WILLS and Youth among others, as well as JNTHN STEIN and Shelter Point (with Bakery Publishing).
Its catalog counts works written by Bless Beats, Joe Cross, Badly Drawn Boy, The Futureheads, Seb Rochford and The Verve.
Reservoir COO Rell Lafargue said, “We have a longstanding relationship with Big Life and have been discussing ways of working together for some time. Helping the company build on the success of its publishing activity and working closely with them to develop interesting new opportunities in the artist management sector is a natural fit for us and we are excited to be working with Tim and his team. “
Big Life Management was established in 1986 by Parry and Summers.
Over the last three decades, Big Life has managed the likes of The Verve, Snow Patrol, Badly Drawn Boy, London Grammar, La Roux, Walking on Cars, Coldcut, Lisa Stansfield, Yazz, Jacknife Lee, Youth, The Futureheads, and Klaxons.
Big Life artists have been responsible for album sales of 40 million units worldwide including over 100 Top 40 hits in the UK alone.
[Pictured: Rell Lafargue (COO, Reservoir Media), Annette Barrett (MD, Reservoir/Reverb Music), Tim Parry (CEO, Big Life), Spek (SVP, Creative and A&R, Reservoir Media), Golnar Khosrowshahi (Founder & President, Reservoir Media)]Music Business Worldwide
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