Sep. 13, 2012
John Branca
See more on John BrancaZiffren Brittenham LLP Los Angeles Corporate transactions Specialtiy: music
Known for representing some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll, Branca has achieved elevated status as a strategic business adviser, in addition to being a traditional entertainment lawyer.
In the past year, he acted as a consultant for Sony Corp. of America on its $2.2 billion acquisition of EMI Music Publishing, the largest music publisher in the world. He also represented MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. in its $3 billion bid for Warner Music Group Corp.
"For me, it's been a lifelong exercise of being able to represent some of the greatest musical artists in history and some of the most important high-profile acquisitions," Branca said via telephone last month from Venice, Italy, where he was attending the premiere of Spike Lee's film on the making of Michael Jackson's 1987 album "Bad."
Branca is the co-executor of the estate of his old friend, the King of Pop, and he's garnered praise for raising hundreds of millions of dollars for the indebted estate since the singer's death in 2009.
He's done that by executive producing "Bad 25" and "This Is It," the highest-grossing concert film in history, as well as hammering out the record-breaking agreement under which Sony will release 10 albums of both old and unreleased material over seven years.
Branca is also involved in Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte's launch of the U.S. tour of "Michael Jackson: the Immortal World Tour" at Las Vegas casino Mandalay Bay last December. The tour has become the No. 1 show of its kind in North America, earning more than $160 million in eight months, and will move to Europe this fall.
The New York native is loathe to brag and would rather let his record speak for itself.
This year, he says he also represented Carlos Santana in finalizing a new residency at the House of Blues Las Vegas and The Beach Boys in putting together their 50th Anniversary reunion tour and album.
And to cap it off, he landed new clients Justin Timberlake and RedOne.
- JEAN YUNG
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