David Love
Macedonia, OH (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
Listen 2 Ent.
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Startup
Location:
Macedonia
Industry:
Entertainment
Year Founded:
2009
Number Employees:
10-50 people
Description:
LISTEN 2 is a diversified media company specializing in high quality recordings, entertainment distribution, live concert procurement and artist management services.
The LISTEN 2 business model stands on three principles that break from the traditional [record label] business model: it is dynamic in its design to accommodate changing market conditions while it compensates creators more justly, and connects fans directly with artists.
Opportunity The recording industry has been transformed by changes in technology, the economy and the marketplace, creating opportunity for new business models. LISTEN 2 combines the assets of live performance, artist management, and recorded performance of established and emerging talent through a combination of unique events, which bring the artist closer to audiences while leveraging multiple points of contact. The addition of music licensing, publishing and publishing administration, curating special events, and alternative music fulfillment, position us as a leader within the upper-demographic entertainment industry.
Current State Discretionary entertainment spending remains strong and has become diversified over the past few decades creating an extraordinary global market, while traditional retail distribution and means of music promotion have been in steady decline. Major label recording companies have been unable to evolve to address contemporary realities and many will fail or attempt to transform entrenched investments into a 360 degree model. Independent labels account for an ever increasing share of the market having attained 32% of aggregate album sales in 2008 and 38% of digital sales, where consumer choice reigns.
LISTEN 2 Solution LISTEN 2 exists within a high-value niche of serious music enthusiasts and is well known throughout the global executive community. No other company shares our market reach. LISTEN 2’s collective legacy of building GRAMMY award winning and internationally acclaimed rosters positions us at the forefront of the music industry. These accomplishments underscore our ability to identify and create value-added connections with audiences and monetize these exchanges through various platforms, including recorded video / music, licensing, and live event management. Our pro-artist philosophies and reputation for nurturing creative freedom attracts a strong community of artists already overlooked and under-leveraged by traditional industry players.
Funding Sought We seek an individual or institutional long term investor who shares a strategic interest in our model and our expectation for a high rate of return on a horizon of five to seven years. with an investment of $3,600,000 for a 40% equity share.
Strategy The growth objective in the initial phase launches through physical and digital distribution of music and video. This strategy utilizes an international live concert web in bundling together with recorded performances with ticket sales. Combining the fulfillment of tickets with electronic merchandising for recorded product enables broader reach and higher sell-through to committed fans. The creation of unique performance events will provide additional opportunities for product marketing and sales, community building, and enhanced branding, while increasing value added transactions in licensing, publishing and sponsorships.
Advantages The executive team’s global contacts and experience are the key drivers to attracting talent and opening new distribution channels while providing a range of professional services to enhance multiple revenue streams with built-in international partnerships on every continent and a consistent track record of innovation and success throughout the past 25 years. LISTEN 2 embodies an entrepreneurial vision of incorporating all aspects of the entertainment industry under one organization to become a full fledged entertainment firm encompassing all aspects of the field.
Financial Overview The analysis provided assumes capitalization by September 2009 and immediate procurement of key staffing assignments, anticipating operational launch by September 2009 with full staffing by January 2010