BMG Rights Continues Acquisition Spree

Media attention has been so focused on whether BMG Rights Management is about to make an offer for EMI Publishing that it seems to have deflected attention from the German-based companies’ continued acquisition spree.

The company, which is a joint venture between German media giant Bertelsmann and U.S. private equity firm KKR, has bought American publisher Adage IV.

Before speculation over a bid for bid for EMI’s publishing had even started, BMG Rights Management had snapped up French publishers Music Addict and Editions PRK Music, plus US-based Cherry Lane Music Publishing.

The 500-plus Adage IV catalogue has songs recorded by acts including Elvis Presley, Frankie Lymon, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, and Joe Cocker. The sale price hasn’t been disclosed.

Former BMG Music Publishing chief Hartwig Masuch, who know heads BMG Rights Management, was reported saying the Adage IV isn’t the end of his company’s acquisition strategy.