Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited Acquisition of Music Catalogue (0832A)

TIDMSONG

RNS Number : 0832A

Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited

17 January 2020

17 January 2020

Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited ("Hipgnosis" or the "Company")

Acquisition of Music Catalogue

The Board of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited and its Investment Adviser, The Family (Music) Limited, are pleased to announce that the Company has acquired a music catalogue from Ammar Malik whose songs have sold over 100 million copies and been streamed over 10 billion times worldwide as well as achieving 108 Number 1 and 310 Top 10 Chart positions globally.

Ammar Malik has co-written some of the most iconic modern pop songs including Maroon 5's 2011 hit 'Moves Like Jagger', featuring Christina Aguilera, which was Number 1 in 18 Countries including the US and has been certified 9x platinum in the US and 3x platinum in the UK; Clean Bandit's 2016 UK Christmas Number 1 'Rockabye', featuring Sean Paul and Anne-Marie, which was 3x platinum in both the UK and US and reached Number 1 in over 26 countries; and Gym Class Heroes' 'Stereo Hearts' featuring Adam Levine which was certified 5x platinum in the US.

Following 'Moves Like Jagger' Ammar Malik has worked extensively with Maroon 5 including co-writing 'Payphone' which was certified 7x platinum in the US and 2x platinum in the UK; 'Maps' which is certified 4x platinum in the US; 'Don't Wanna Know' which was Top 10 in 23 Countries and certified 2x platinum in the US; and the platinum certified 'Wait'.

The Catalogue also includes the 3x US platinum 'Symphony' by Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson; 2x US platinum 'Chains' by Nick Jonas, US platinum certified 'Both of Us' by B.o.B featuring Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran's UK platinum certified 'New Man' as well as songs by Ariana Grande, OneRepublic, DJ Snake, Olly Murs, Jason Mraz and One Direction.

In addition to his commercial success, Ammar Malik was awarded BMI's "Songwriter of the Year" award in 2013 and BMI's "Song of the Year" award for co-writing 'Moves Like Jagger'.

Hipgnosis has acquired 100% of Ammar Malik's copyright interests in this catalogue, which comprises 90 songs, including publishing and writers share of income.

Ammar Malik was represented by managers David Silberstein and Jeremy Levin and counsel Todd Rubenstein.

Merck Mercuriadis, Founder of The Family (Music) Limited and Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, said:

"Ammar has been one of the most influential songwriters of the last 10 years and songs like 'Moves Like Jagger' and 'Rockabye' are iconic. 'Moves Like Jagger' is now almost as famous as Mick Jagger himself. I'm very happy to welcome Ammar, David and Jeremy to the Hipgnosis family."

Ammar Malik said:

"Merck is a true music fan who values the songs and songwriters above all. I am thrilled to be part of the Hipgnosis family and to know that my songs are in amazing hands."

David Silberstein said:

"It has been a pleasure dealing with Merck and the team at Hipgnosis throughout this transaction. Merck's vision of bringing a greater value and appreciation to songs and songwriters is something that we fully support and are excited to be a part of."

For further information, please contact:

 
 The Family (Music) Limited                          Tel: [phone] 
  Merck Mercuriadis 
 N+1 Singer - Joint Corporate Broker                 Tel: [phone] 
  James Maxwell / James Moat (Corporate               3000 
  Finance) 
  Alan Geeves / James Waterlow / Sam Greatrex 
  (Sales) 
 J.P. Morgan Cazenove - Joint Corporate              Tel: [phone] 
  Broker                                              4000 
  William Simmonds / Ed Murray / Jérémie 
  Birnbaum (Corporate Finance) 
  James Bouverat / Eddie Nissen (Sales) 
 The Outside Organisation                            Tel: [phone] 
  Alan Edwards / Nick Caley                           843 
 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited

(www.hipgnosissongs.com)

Hipgnosis, which was founded by Merck Mercuriadis, is a Guernsey registered investment company established to offer investors a pure-play exposure to songs and associated musical intellectual property rights. The Company has raised a total of over GBP625 million (gross equity capital) through its Initial Public Offering on 11 July 2018, and subsequent issues in April 2019, August 2019 and October 2019. In September 2019, Hipgnosis transferred its entire issued share capital to the Premium listing segment of the Official List of the FCA and to the London Stock Exchange's Premium segment of the Main Market.

About The Family (Music) Limited

The Company's Investment Adviser is The Family (Music) Limited, which was founded by Merck Mercuriadis, former manager of globally successful recording artists, such as Elton John, Guns N' Roses, Morrissey, Iron Maiden and Beyoncé, and hit songwriters such as Diane Warren, Justin Tranter and The-Dream, and former CEO of The Sanctuary Group plc. The Investment Adviser has assembled an Advisory Board of highly successful music industry experts which include award winning members of the artist, songwriter, publishing, legal, financial, recorded music and music management communities, all with in-depth knowledge of music publishing. Members of The Family (Music) Limited Advisory Board include Nile Rodgers, The-Dream, Giorgio Tuinfort, Starrah, Nick Jarjour, David Stewart, Bill Leibowitz, Ian Montone, and Jason Flom.

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January 17, 2020 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)