LiveOne Completes 6th Acquisition By Acquiring Artist And Brand Development Company, Gramophone Media, Inc.

Rhea-AI Summary

LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO) has completed the acquisition of Gramophone Media, Inc., a New York City-based artist and brand development company. This acquisition will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary and is expected to enhance LiveOne's earnings and strengthen its balance sheet. Gramophone specializes in representing emerging artists and provides strategic marketing and PR services. The deal is anticipated to expand LiveOne's business model by providing a comprehensive solution for artists, enhancing exposure through LiveOne's platforms.

Positive

• Acquisition of Gramophone Media expected to enhance earnings and strengthen balance sheet.
• Expands LiveOne's business model by providing integrated support for artists.
• Gramophone's expertise in artist development aligns with LiveOne's talent-centric platform.

Negative

• None.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO), a global platform for livestream and on-demand audio, video and podcast/vodcast content in music, comedy and pop culture, and owner of LiveXLive PodcastOne, Slacker Radio, React Presents and Custom Personalization Solutions, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Gramophone Media, Inc. Gramophone will operate as a stand-alone wholly-owned subsidiary of LiveOne. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to LiveOne's earnings and strengthen LiveOne's balance sheet.

Gramophone is a New York City-based artist and brand development company comprised of boutique agencies, which specializes in representing aspiring artists and offering services in PR, strategic marketing, brand positioning, graphic design, and social media management. The company is known for its innovative work discovering and breaking international acts like K-pop sensations BTS & Monsta X, as well as its unique approach to public relations and artist development. Current and past clients and platforms include: Tiffany Young, Melii, Lil Simz, San Holo, Steve Aoki, Jazz Cartier, Kiiara, Zhu, Tessa Violet, Tayla Parx, Jesse McCartney, Joshua Radin, KT Tunstall, Ani DiFranco, Randy Jackson, WIX, Amuse IO and many more.

As part of the acquisition, Gramophone's President, founder and sole shareholder, Eshy Gazit, as well as its co-founder and COO Patrick Ermlich, will remain as the company's senior leadership team.

The acquisition complements LiveOne's recently launched online digital talent search platform, Self Made, and further expands LiveOne's business model adding a new component to its flywheel of complementary businesses by providing artists an end-to-end solution to develop and amplify their brand to audiences across LiveOne's apps and social media, and podcast platforms.

Robert Ellin, LiveOne's CEO and Chairman, commented, "The acquisition of Gramophone creates a new and exciting business vertical for LiveOne. By discovering and managing artists, LiveOne can present Gramophone artists the opportunity to immediately and dramatically increase their exposure by being featured on our vast consumer-facing platform of livestream, pay-per-view, podcasting, and OTT channels. We are also excited to add Eshy Gazit and Patrick Ermlich to the LiveOne team and we look forward to building Gramophone into a music industry force."      

Gramophone's founder & President, Eshy Gazit, commented, "I am thrilled to continue Gramophone's trajectory with LiveOne. We will work closely with the platform to support emerging artists that need guidance, resources and exposure. As a former artist myself I know how hard it is to navigate your career, and we are here to help in these crucial stages."

LiveOne has the first talent-centric platform focused on superfans and building long-term franchises in on-demand audio and video, podcasting, vodcasting, OTT linear channels, pay-per-view, and livestreaming. Its model includes multiple monetization paths including subscription, advertising, sponsorship, merchandise sales, licensing, and ticketing. LiveOne raised revenue guidance for its 2021 fiscal year based on strength in its core businesses.

About LiveOne Media, Inc.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, LiveOne, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVO) (the "Company") is a global talent-first, interactive music, sports, and entertainment subscription platform delivering premium content and livestreams from the world's top artists. The Company has streamed over 1,800 artists since January 2020, a library featuring close to 30 million songs, 500 expertly curated radio stations, 235 podcasts/vodcasts, hundreds of pay-per-views, personalized merchandise, and NFTs business, and has created a valuable connection between brands, fans, and bands. The Company's other major wholly-owned subsidiaries are LiveXLive, PPVOne, Slacker Radio, React Presents, Custom Personalization Solutions, and PodcastOne which generates more than 2.38 billion downloads per year and 300+ episodes distributed per week across a stable of hundreds of top podcasts. The combination of acquisitions and the expansion of products and franchises have secured LiveOne as a top-rated music, entertainment, and media services company. LiveXLive is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire, and through OTT, STIRR, Sling, and XUMO, in addition to its app, online website, and social channels. For more information, visit www.livexlive.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter at @livexlive.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements," which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as "may," "might," "will," "will likely result," "would," "should," "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "continue," "target" or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including: the Company's reliance on one key customer for a substantial percentage of its revenue; the Company's ability to consummate any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, distribution or transaction, the timing of the closing of such proposed event, including the risks that a condition to closing would not be satisfied within the expected timeframe or at all, or that the closing of any proposed financing, acquisition, spin-out, distribution or transaction will not occur or whether any such event will enhance shareholder value; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to attract, maintain and increase the number of its users and paid subscribers; the Company identifying, acquiring, securing and developing content; the Company's intent to repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time under its announced stock repurchase program and the timing, price, and quantity of repurchases, if any, under the program; the Company's ability to maintain compliance with certain financial and other covenants; the Company successfully implementing its growth strategy, including relating to its technology platforms and applications; management's relationships with industry stakeholders; the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; changes in economic conditions; competition; risks and uncertainties applicable to the businesses of the Company's subsidiaries; and other risks, uncertainties and factors including, but not limited to, those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on July 14, 2021, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on August 16, 2021, and in the Company's other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any obligations to update these statements, except as may be required by law. The Company intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Press Contact:
LiveOne
aileen@livexlive.com 
917.842.9653

LiveOne IR Contact:
IR@liveone.com
310.601.2505

 

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SOURCE LiveOne, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of LiveOne's acquisition of Gramophone Media?

The acquisition is expected to enhance LiveOne's earnings and strengthen its balance sheet while expanding its business model to support emerging artists.

How will the acquisition of Gramophone Media impact LiveOne's operations?

Gramophone will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary, allowing LiveOne to provide a comprehensive solution for artist development and enhance exposure through its platforms.

Who are the leaders of Gramophone Media after the acquisition?

Eshy Gazit, the founder and president, along with co-founder Patrick Ermlich, will remain in leadership roles within Gramophone.

When did LiveOne complete the acquisition of Gramophone Media?

LiveOne completed the acquisition on October 18, 2021.

What services does Gramophone Media specialize in?

Gramophone Media specializes in PR, strategic marketing, brand positioning, graphic design, and social media management for emerging artists.