Iconic Artists Group, the company led by music industry veteran Irving Azoff, has reportedly acquired Frank Sinatra’s name, image and likeness rights.
Bloomberg reported the news on Sunday (October 12) and said that Azoff plans to create a Rat Pack-themed venue in Las Vegas.
Speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference last week, Azoff confirmed that the company “recently acquired a chunk of the Sinatra estate.”
He added: “We [now] have all the Rat Pack. We have Dean Martin. We’re very diverse. We have Cher.”
Frank Sinatra Enterprises confirmed the deal in a statement sent to MBW: “Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Tina Sinatra, and Warner Music Group are delighted to welcome Irving Azoff and Iconic to the dedicated team serving the life’s work and legacy of Frank Sinatra.”
The Sinatra deal represents another significant move by Azoff’s company in the heritage artist space and follows a series of major acquisitions by Iconic over the past several years.
In February 2021, the company acquired a controlling stake in the Beach Boys’ intellectual property, including the band’s sound recordings, brand, select musical compositions, and memorabilia, in what Bloomberg reported at the time was valued between $100 million to $200 million.
Azoff said at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference last week that “The Beach Boys’ [revenues] are up over double since [IAG] got involved with them”.
Elsewhere at Iconic, in 2023, the company acquired Cher’s full interest in her past sound recordings and compositions, with the superstar stating she was “thrilled” to have Azoff, whom she has known for 50 years, represent her past work.
The company has also assembled the catalogs of three members of Crosby, Stills & Nash, acquiring David Crosby’s publishing and recorded music rights comprising his solo work, as well as his work with The Byrds; Crosby & Nash; Crosby, Stills & Nash; and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Graham Nash and Stephen Stills subsequently sold their catalogs to the company.
In February 2024, Iconic acquired Rod Stewart’s catalog for around $100 million, with the company simultaneously securing a strategic investment from HPS Investment Partners that provided access to $1 billion of capital for future acquisitions.
The company also acquired 50% of Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry’s sound recording, publishing, and name, image and likeness rights, in March last year.
Other artists in Iconic’s portfolio include Linda Ronstadt, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, and Joe Cocker. Most recently, in July 2024, the company partnered with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA to expand the hip-hop collective’s brand.
Elsewhere during his Screentime Interview, which you can watch below via YouTube, Azoff commented more broadly on the company’s activity in the market for acquiring catalogs and managing the estates of legacy artists.
Iconic Artists Group, the company led by music industry veteran Irving Azoff, has reportedly acquired Frank Sinatra’s name, image and likeness rights.
Bloomberg reported the news on Sunday (October 12) and said that Azoff plans to create a Rat Pack-themed venue in Las Vegas.
Speaking at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference last week, Azoff confirmed that the company “recently acquired a chunk of the Sinatra estate.”
He added: “We [now] have all the Rat Pack. We have Dean Martin. We’re very diverse. We have Cher.”
Frank Sinatra Enterprises confirmed the deal in a statement sent to MBW: “Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Tina Sinatra, and Warner Music Group are delighted to welcome Irving Azoff and Iconic to the dedicated team serving the life’s work and legacy of Frank Sinatra.”
The Sinatra deal represents another significant move by Azoff’s company in the heritage artist space and follows a series of major acquisitions by Iconic over the past several years.
In February 2021, the company acquired a controlling stake in the Beach Boys’ intellectual property, including the band’s sound recordings, brand, select musical compositions, and memorabilia, in what Bloomberg reported at the time was valued between $100 million to $200 million.
Azoff said at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference last week that “The Beach Boys’ [revenues] are up over double since [IAG] got involved with them”.
Elsewhere at Iconic, in 2023, the company acquired Cher’s full interest in her past sound recordings and compositions, with the superstar stating she was “thrilled” to have Azoff, whom she has known for 50 years, represent her past work.
The company has also assembled the catalogs of three members of Crosby, Stills & Nash, acquiring David Crosby’s publishing and recorded music rights comprising his solo work, as well as his work with The Byrds; Crosby & Nash; Crosby, Stills & Nash; and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Graham Nash and Stephen Stills subsequently sold their catalogs to the company.
In February 2024, Iconic acquired Rod Stewart’s catalog for around $100 million, with the company simultaneously securing a strategic investment from HPS Investment Partners that provided access to $1 billion of capital for future acquisitions.
The company also acquired 50% of Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry’s sound recording, publishing, and name, image and likeness rights, in March last year.
Other artists in Iconic’s portfolio include Linda Ronstadt, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, and Joe Cocker. Most recently, in July 2024, the company partnered with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA to expand the hip-hop collective’s brand.
Elsewhere during his Screentime Interview, which you can watch below via YouTube, Azoff commented more broadly on the company’s activity in the market for acquiring catalogs and managing the estates of legacy artists.
He suggested that some estates “are badly managed” and that striking deals with the likes of Iconic is “great for estate planning for some of these older artists, especially”.
He was also asked what’s the most valuable catalog in the world.
“I normally would have said Beatles, but I’m not sure that’s true anymore,” Azoff told Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw. Azoff added: “You know, you’ve got to maybe say Taylor [Swift] at this point.”Music Business Worldwide
He suggested that some estates “are badly managed” and that striking deals with the likes of Iconic is “great for estate planning for some of these older artists, especially”.
He was also asked what’s the most valuable catalog in the world.
“I normally would have said Beatles, but I’m not sure that’s true anymore,” Azoff told Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw. Azoff added: “You know, you’ve got to maybe say Taylor [Swift] at this point.”Music Business Worldwide
