Investor Relations
Company Overview
We are engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, we have focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland and proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in over 100 countries around the world. The members of our senior corporate management group, including Robert F.X. Sillerman, Mitchell J. Slater, Howard J. Tytel and Thomas P. Benson, have worked in the media and entertainment business for an average of 25 years, including almost ten years together as a management team, have built a successful track record of identifying and realizing synergies among unique and diverse businesses and have proven an ability to acquire and integrate these businesses to capitalize on and enhance their combined value. We plan to continue to make strategic acquisitions of, or partner or align with, companies or individuals that control various forms of established entertainment content, which may include intellectual property rights in music, film, television programming, written works and characters, rights to names, images and likenesses, video games, corporate brands and other related assets.
On February 7, 2005, we acquired an 85% interest in the entities which own and/or control the commercial utilization of the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operation of the Graceland museum and related attractions, as well as revenue derived from Elvis Presley's television specials, films and certain of his recorded musical works. The Presley business consists primarily of two components: first, intellectual property, including the licensing of the name, image, likeness and trademarks associated with Elvis Presley, as well as other owned and/or controlled intellectual property and the collection of royalties from certain motion pictures, television specials and recorded musical works and music compositions; and second, the operation of the Graceland museum and related attractions and retail establishments, including Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel and other ancillary real estate assets.
We are committed to preserving the integrity of the Elvis legacy and to judiciously selecting future commercial opportunities. We have provided for a close and continuing relationship with Lisa Marie Presley and Priscilla Presley. Lisa Marie Presley has retained a 15% interest in the Presley business and is a stockholder in our company. Priscilla Presley is a director of our company and has been engaged as a consultant, under a long term consulting agreement.
On March 17, 2005, we acquired 19 Entertainment Limited and entered into a long-term employment agreement with Simon Fuller, its founder and the creative force behind its most successful projects. In addition to continuing to oversee the operations of 19 Entertainment and its subsidiaries, Mr. Fuller will play a key role in planning and implementing our overall creative direction. 19 Entertainment, based in the United Kingdom, is a leading creator, producer and promoter of entertainment properties. Since forming 19 Entertainment in 1985, Mr. Fuller has been instrumental in creating, developing and marketing multiple globally successful and profitable entertainment properties, including the Spice Girls, S Club 7 and, most recently, the IDOLS television show format. Each of these was conceived as a multi-platform entertainment property and has experienced substantial success on a worldwide basis, generating multiple revenue streams, including recorded music, music publishing, television, film, merchandising, sponsorship, artist management and promotion. Recently, 19 Entertainment entered into a partnership with David Beckham and Victoria Beckham. We believe the partnership with the Beckhams creates an ideal opportunity to develop and share in new and valuable content and relationships, each offering multiple revenue opportunities across various entertainment platforms and distribution channels.
On August 9, 2005, we acquired Morra, Brezner, Steinberg & Tenenbaum Entertainment, Inc. ("MBST") a leading manager of comedic talent and producer of motion pictures and television programming, and entered into long-term employment relationships with the principals of MBST, Larry Brezner, David Steinberg and Steve Tenenbaum, who continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of MBST. MBST is a full service management company with a roster of more than 35 clients, representing an array of Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy winning artists including Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Woody Allen, jazz legend John Pizzarelli, comedian/writer Jeff Ross, comedian Jim Norton and director Bob Weide. MBST has had an advisory relationship with Apple Corps, the holding corporation for the Beatles, for more than 15 years. In addition to its management activities, MBST has been responsible for the production of numerous motion pictures and television productions over the years, including Arthur, Good Morning Vietnam, Throw Momma From the Train, The Vanishing, The Greatest Game Ever Played and Match Point.
On April 10, 2006, we acquired an 80% interest in the name, image, likeness and all other rights of publicity of Muhammad Ali and the rights to all existing Ali license agreements. The business will be operated through a newly formed company named G.O.A.T. LLC. G.O.A.T. stands for “Greatest of All Time,” a registered trademark of G.O.A.T. LLC. This transaction is a continuation of CKX’s mission to partner with iconic content and to use its resources to preserve, protect and grow this content. Muhammad Ali is widely recognized as the greatest athlete of the twentieth century and ambassador to the world. Over forty years after he burst onto the scene as a gold-medal winner at the 1960 Rome Olympics Mr. Ali remains one of the world’s most recognized figures, known and loved around the globe. We are committed to preserving and protecting the integrity of Mr. Ali's legacy and have provided for a close and continuing relationship with Mr. Ali and his wife, Lonnie Ali. Mr. Ali will retain a 20% interest in the Ali business and his wife, Lonnie, will serve as a member of the Management Board of G.O.A.T.