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Arash Khalili

| Jan. 30, 2014

Jan. 30, 2014

Arash Khalili

See more on Arash Khalili

Loeb & Loeb LLP | Los Angeles | Corporate/transactional


No matter how sour the economy gets, the media, entertainment and sports sectors seem to be recession-proof.


In the mergers and acquisitions space, these sectors have enjoyed a constant flow of strategic acquisitions, Khalili said, "rather than starting from the ground up."


Among his significant M&A matters, Khalili represented a major U.S. film studio in the sale of a music publishing catalog, comprising music from its film and television releases between 1993 and 2012, to Ole Music Publishing LLC; represented a principal investor in the recently announced RatPac-Dune Capital, 75-picture co-financing deal with Warner Bros.; and represented Warner/Chappell Music Inc. in acquisitions, including that of a major film and television music catalog.


Khalili also represented the Yucaipa Companies and its music and entertainment subsidiary, Y Entertainment Group, in the acquisition of independent music booking agency Artist Group International, which represents Rod Stewart, Metallica and Billy Joel, among other artists.


Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.


Looking ahead, Khalili said, "I think there will be an increase in strategic acquisitions, and I expect there will be an increase in competitiveness in the marketplace for desired assets."


Among his corporate transactions, Khalili represented Original Productions, creator of such TV shows as "Ice Road Truckers" and "Deadliest Catch," in selling a 75-percent stake in the company to FremantleMedia; and represented fashion retailer Alene Too in a licensing transaction with "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" reality star Kyle Richards in connection and the launch of the "Kyle by Alene Too" retail store and brand concept.


"People are always looking for entertainment, and there is always new technology driving it, a need for content that is ever expanding, and ways to deliver that content to consumers," Khalili said.


So it's critical for legal counsel to not only stay on top of the rapid changes in technology and social media, but to try to anticipate what's down the road, Khalili said, adding, "You have to create flexibility in documents for your clients to address the unknown, and crafting them so they have options."

- PAT BRODERICK

#291539

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