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Not to be confused with STX Entertainment.
SFX Entertainment
Company typePublic
Nasdaq: SFXE
IndustryConcert promoter, music
GenreElectronic music
PredecessorLive Nation (de facto)
FoundedJune 2012 (2012-06)
FounderRobert F. X. Sillerman, CEO
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Key people
Greg Consiglio, president and COO
Kevin Arrix, executive vice president, CRO
Chris Stephenson, CMO

SFX Entertainment is an American live events conglomerate founded by media entrepreneur Robert F. X. Sillerman. The company was formed in June 2012 as a new incarnation of Sillerman's previous live events company of the same name—the present Live Nation.

SFX focuses primarily on live events and other properties relating to electronic dance music (EDM) and its associated culture.

Its holdings include ownership of various major electronic music promoters and festival brands, such as Tomorrowland, Electric Zoo, Stereosonic, Voodoo Experience, and a 50% stake in Rock in Rio among others. The company also holds events at several nightclubs in the Miami area, the online music store Beatport, and several music-oriented web development firms. The company went public on the NASDAQ in October 2013.

History

Early history

SFX Entertainment was formed by Robert F. X. Sillerman in the 1990s. Its business model surrounded the acquisition and consolidation of regional concert promoters into a single national entity. In 2000, Sillerman sold the company to the radio broadcasting company Clear Channel Communications for $4.4 billion USD.[1] Clear Channel Entertainment was spun off in 2005 to form Live Nation, and merged with Ticketmaster in 2009 to form Live Nation Entertainment. As of 2012, Live Nation is the largest concert promoter in the world.[2][3][4][5]

2012-2013

In June 2012, Sillerman publicized his intent to focus on the growing electronic dance music market by reviving the SFX brand to form a new conglomerate in the electronic music industry. Similarly to the past incarnation of SFX, the company's business model focuses on the consolidation and acquisition of independent EDM promoters, along with an additional focus on providing digital platforms for fans to connect. Sillerman expected to spend close to $1 billion on acquisitions within the first year of operations alone; at the time of the company's launch, SFX was in negotiations with around 50 different promoters for possible acquisitions.[6] SFX's first acquisitions included "Disco" Donnie Estopinal's Disco Productions, Miami nightclub owners Opium Group and Miami Marketing Group, and the tour Life in Color (then known as Dayglow).[7][8][9] However, the Opium Group deal fell through during the due diligence phase.[10]

By contrast to the previous SFX, Sillerman intended the new company to be more focused on building relationships and experiences for fans. In response to critics who believed that SFX may "commercialize" the largely underground electronic music industry, Sillerman stated that "if you buy great and successful businesses, you try to empower them to do what they do. And in this case, what they do is provide great entertainment. If you or anyone can ever find an example of someone from SFX telling them how much to charge for a bottle of Cristal at LIV, I'll give you my shares of SFX."[11] Sillerman has emphasized his belief that the live events industry can not be operated in a centralized manner, noting that SFX is "decentralized with full power invested in the entrepreneurs who have made these businesses."[9]

In January 2013, SFX named Chris Stephenson as its chief marketing officer—he had previously been the CMO of Interscope Records, and is the CEO of fellow Sillerman venture Viggle. The company also made several additional purchases, including New Orleans' multi-genre Voodoo Experience festival.[9] SFX also announced a joint venture with the Dutch promoter ID&T with an intent to organize North American events—ID&T previously partnered with Live Nation to hold the first ever American edition of its Sensation tour at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.[9][12][13]

In February 2013, SFX acquired Beatport, an online music store specializing in electronic music. In particular, Sillerman felt that the website provided a "massive" platform for both artists and fans to interact; being consistent with his goals for the company.[3][8] The following month during the Winter Music Conference in Miami, SFX announced that it would acquire a 75% stake in ID&T, and that it would organize a spin-off of its flagship festival Tomorrowland known as TomorrowWorld in the Atlanta area in September 2013.[8] The company also received a $10 million investment from the communications services and marketing company WPP.[12][14]

2013-present

In June 2013, SFX announced an IPO and began trading on the NASDAQ on October 9, 2013. Sillerman was joined by the Dutch producer Afrojack at the NASDAQ MarketSite that morning to ring the opening bell.[15][16] Following its IPO, SFX also reached deals to acquire companies focused on digital properties; the fan monetization platform Tunezy, and the web development companies Arc90 and Fame House.[17] It also acquired Totem OneLove, an Australian promoter who organizes the Stereosonic festival among others.[18][19]

In November 2013, SFX acquired Made Event, the organizers of New York City's Electric Zoo festival. Sillerman considered the purchase to be a strategic move, as the company would now have a stronger presence in the New York market.[20] It also acquired the German promoter i-Motion, organizers of the Nature One festival among others, for $21 million,[21] and reached a deal with Roberto Midina, organizer of the Rock in Rio festival series, to acquire a 50% stake in a new entity that will own the rock music festival. Sillerman also disclosed plans to bring the festival to the United States for the first time ever.[22]

In December 2013, SFX acquired a 75% stake in Paylogic, a European online ticketing company. Paylogic's services are prominently used by ID&T, and will be phased in across SFX's other event brands over time as deals with other providers (such as Eventbrite and Disco Donnie) expire. Sillerman singled out Paylogic for its ability to handle large "surges" of ticket sales, as had been demonstrated at TomorrowWorld, the first U.S. event to use the system.[23]

On January 6, 2014, iHeartMedia, Inc. (formerly Clear Channel Media and Entertainment; the company which, coincidentally, Sillerman sold the original SFX to in 2000) announced a marketing partnership with SFX, which will see the two firms collaborate on EDM-related content for its digital and terrestrial radio outlets, including a Beatport top 20 countdown show (which will air on some of Clear Channel's major-market contemporary hit radio stations), a national talent search, and an "original live music series" in the style of its Jingle Ball concerts. The partnership expanded upon iHeartMedia's existing EDM-oriented outlets, such as Evolution, which encompasses a digital radio station on iHeartRadio, and terrestrial outlets in Boston and Miami. iHeartMedia staff, including John Sykes, believed that the deal (particularly the Beatport countdown show) would help provide a higher level of national exposure to current and upcoming EDM artists—its syndication division also produces the American Top 40.[5][24][25]

In February 2014, SFX acquired React Presents—organizers of Chicago's Spring Awakening, along with Clubtix and West Loop Management.[26] In April 2014, SFX announced a partnership with Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment and T-Mobile to produce a new EDM-focused television reality series, Ultimate DJ.[27]

In September 2014, SFX acquired Brazilian promoter Plus Talent, who organize XXXperience and Tomorrowland Brazil.[28] On October 10, 2014, SFX acquired Listn, a Montreal-based startup that developed a mobile app which allowed users to browse their friends' music collections. Listn's employees were reassigned to Beatport, and the service was phased out.[29]

In November 2014, despite a total revenue of $143.5 million in the third quarter of 2014—a number boosted by the large number of SFX-managed festivals that occurred during the quarter, Sillerman reported that SFX was undergoing a significant restructuring and consolidation process that would involve "a not insignificant shift in assignments and reduction in workforce, all of which will go to improve efficiency and, of course, to improve our EBITDA."[30] Later in the month, SFX acquired a 50% stake in ALDA Events, a Dutch promoter who produces the concert tours of Armin van Buuren and Hardwell, along with the Amsterdam Music Festival. Alda will remain independently operated, but its founder Allan Hardenberg also joined SFX as the managing director of its Global Touring division.[31]

On January 26, 2015, SFX announced restructuring at the executive level: Greg Consiglio was named president and chief operating officer of SFX Entertainment, while Kevin Arrix was named chief revenue officer and executive vice president. Both Consiglio and Arrix hold the same positions at Viggle. ID&T's Ritty van Straalen became CEO of live entertainment. Additionally, it was announced that SFX would, under a three-year pact, assume the operation of Viggle's sales staff, who will work for both SFX and Viggle; Sillerman explained that "the Viggle Revenue team brings an immediate new dimension, while combining the SFX inventory provides Viggle with more scale attractive to a broader base of advertisers."[32][33]

Decline, bankruptcy

On February 25, 2015, Sillerman announced a proposal to buy out SFX's public stock at $4.75 per-share to take the company private, and support exploring a potential sale. He felt that the offer would provide "substantial value and flexibility to all shareholders", and was a "substantial premium" to its current value.[34]

By August 2015, the value of SFX stock had decreased considerably, going as low as 91 cents per-share.[35] On August 14, 2015, the company failed a takeover bid, initiated by Sillerman, valued at $5.75 a share.[36] According to the Los Angeles Times, SFX Entertainment is looking into "strategic alternatives" until October 2015 to determine the sale of the company.[37] The company extended its takeover bid deadline in October 2015.[38] In November 2015, Sillerman breached a preferred investment of $30 million into SFX Entertainment.[39] Also in November, Sebastian Solano, founder of SFX's Life in Color brand, was named CEO of ID&T North America and Made Event.[40]

On January 13, 2016, the company announced that it had defaulted on a $10.8 million loan after missing a January 3, 2016 interest payment of $3 million.[41] On January 15, 2016, SFX announced that it had received $20 million in new funding.[42]

On February 1, 2016, SFX Entertainment filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company plans to restructure as a private entity, and engage in a debt-for-equity swap with its bondholders. Sillerman also stepped down as CEO effective immediately; he will remain chairman and retain his 40% stock interest in the company. Of the situation, he stated that "this expression of confidence from our lenders is testimonial to the vibrancy and potential of our business", and that with the restructuring, "we have the opportunity to achieve all that SFX can and will be." The bankruptcy and transition is not expected to affect any of SFX's businesses, although the fate of the U.S. TomorrowWorld festival (whose 2015 edition was marred by infrastructural problems due to bad weather)[43][44] is uncertain. The Belgian and Brazilian Tomorrowland festivals are managed directly by ID&T and local partners, and are not affected.[45][46]

On March 1, 2016, SFX announced an intent to sell Beatport and Fame House at auction.[47] In May 2016, the auction of Beatport was suspended, and the site began to implement cutbacks on its original content operations and workforce.[48]

In September 2016, Italian record label Art & Music Recording called for an investigation into allegations that third-parties had artificially inflated the download counts of several of its songs ("juicing") on Beatport, which caused Beatport to remove the songs under policies prohibiting labels from making purchases of tracks to increase their chart performance.[49] [50][51]

Assets

Festivals and promoters

Digital

References

  1. ^ "Clear Channel buys SFX". CNN Money. February 28, 2000. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  2. ^ "Sale of Promoter AEG Would Radically Alter Concert Business". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "SFX Entertainment Buys Electronic Dance Music Site". Media Decoder. The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  4. ^ "Clear Channel Communications, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Dec 23, 2005" (PDF). SEC Database. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Clear Channel and SFX Strike Electronic Dance Music Marketing Deal" The Wall Street Journal (January 6, 2014)
  6. ^ "A Concert Mogul Is Betting on Electronic Dance Music". The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  7. ^ "Robert F.X. Sillerman Expands EDM Assets, Acquires DayGlow". Billboard.biz. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c "SFX Purchases 75% Stake in ID&T, Announce U.S. Edition of Tomorrowland at Ultra". Billboard.biz. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d "Exclusive: SFX Acquires ID&T, Voodoo Experience". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  10. ^ "Robert Sillerman's SFX Entertainment and Opium Group: "The Deal Is Off"". Miami New Times. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  11. ^ "Robert F.X. Sillerman on Why He "Loves to Dance" and Only Cares About Fans". Crossfade. Miami New Times. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  12. ^ a b "SFX Entertainment Gets Funding From Communications Giant WPP". Billboard.biz. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  13. ^ Mason, Kerri (September 19, 2012). "Sensation Lineup: Fedde le Grand, Danny Tenaglia Coming to Brooklyn". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  14. ^ "WPP to Invest in SFX Entertainment". Media Decoder. The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  15. ^ "Electronic music promoter SFX files for $175-million IPO". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  16. ^ "Robert F.X Sillerman On SFX's IPO, Stock Prices, Future Acquisitions, Afrojack". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  17. ^ "SFX Beefing Up Digital Capabilities, Plans to Buy Tunezy, Fame House and Arc90". Billboard.
  18. ^ a b "SFX buys Totem OneLove, the company behind Australian dance massive Stereosonic". In The Mix. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  19. ^ "SFX Acquires Australian Promoter and Dance Festival House Totem OneLove". Billboard.biz. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  20. ^ "EDM-Obsessed Millennials Boost SFX Entertainment Outlook". Forbes. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  21. ^ "SFX Acquires Major German Promoter i-Motion for $21 Million". Billboard.biz. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  22. ^ a b "Robert Sillerman on Rock In Rio Deal (Exclusive)". Billboard.biz. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  23. ^ "SFX Enters Ticketing Business with $16.2 Million Acquisition of Europe's Paylogic". Billboard.biz. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  24. ^ "SFX and Clear Channel Partner for Digital, Terrestrial Radio Push". Billboard.biz. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  25. ^ "John Sykes, Robert Sillerman on New Clear Channel, SFX Partnership: 'We Want to Be the Best'". Billboard.biz. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  26. ^ "SFX Adds Two Major Midwest Festivals with Agreement to Acquire React Presents". SFX press release. Retrieved November 29, 2014. SFX Adds Two Major Midwest Festivals with Agreement to Acquire React Presents
  27. ^ "SFX, Syco Entertainment, T-Mobile Partner for 'Ultimate DJ' TV Show". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  28. ^ "SFX Buys Brazilian Agency, Promoter Plus Talent". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  29. ^ "Listen Acquired by SFX Entertainment, Startup Dismantled as Team Moves to New York". Techvibes. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  30. ^ "Restructuring, Possible Layoffs to Come at SFX". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  31. ^ "SFX Purchases 50% Stake in Alda Events, Dutch Dance Music Event Promoter". Music Times. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  32. ^ "SFX Announces Shake Up of Executive Staff". Music Times. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  33. ^ "SFX Shakes Things Up at Executive Level". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  34. ^ "SFX Entertainment CEO Robert Sillerman Offers to Take Company Private". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  35. ^ Mac, Ryan. "The Fall Of SFX: From Billion-Dollar Company To Bankruptcy Watch". Forbes. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  36. ^ Sisario, Ben (August 14, 2015). "SFX Entertainment Is Back on the Block". Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  37. ^ Faughnder, Ryan (August 14, 2015). "After failed CEO takeover bid, what's next for SFX Entertainment?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  38. ^ Sisario, Ben (October 1, 2015). "SFX Extends Bid Deadline as Problems Continue". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ Gara, Antoine (November 6, 2015). "Robert Sillerman Breaches Preferred Deal With SFX Entertainment Amid EDM Buyout Bid". Forbes. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  40. ^ "SFX Taps Life in Color's Sebastian Solano for CEO of ID&T North America/Made Event: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  41. ^ "SFX's Bumpy Ride Continues With $20 Million in New Financing". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  42. ^ "SFX gets $20M in new financing". New York Post. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  43. ^ "TomorrowWorld Investigations Underway After Weather, Transport Issues Strand Thousands". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  44. ^ "How TomorrowWorld Became an Epic Disaster Of Near-Riots and Looming Lawsuits". Thump. Vice Media. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  45. ^ "TomorrowWorld's Future is Uncertain, Says Tomorrowland Spokesperson: Report". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  46. ^ Sisario, Ben (February 2, 2016). "SFX Entertainment Declares Bankruptcy". The New York Times. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  47. ^ "SFX to Auction Off Beatport in May, Looks to Sell Fame House". Billboard. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  48. ^ "Beatport Suspends Auction and Shuts Down Streaming, News and Events Divisions". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  49. ^ "Beatport "Juicing" Claims Popup in SFX Bankruptcy". Amplify. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  50. ^ "Dance Label Wants Beatport to Prove It 'Juiced' the Charts: Report". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  51. ^ "AMR Seeks Probe of SFX Entertainment Over Digital Music Charts". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
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