Image via Complex Original
In the summer of 2012, Robert Sillerman's SFX Entertainment company was reborn with one goal in mind: totally taking over the EDM scene. That might not be what he said, but that's damn sure what their movements indicate. From June of 2012 through today, they've made a number of acquisitions that have included everything from some of the biggest EDM promoters in the world to companies that handle buying tickets. Instead of just going after one particular portion of the EDM pie, Sillerman plans on not only controling the entire pie, but changing the way you eat it. Take a look at the companies SFX has acquired, and try to get an idea of what the future of EDM will look like with the moves they've made.
Disco Donnie Presents
Date Acquired: June 2012
Cost: n/a
Stake: 100%
Disco Donnie Presents brings to SFX over 20 years of putting on some of the biggest and best parties within the North American market. As they were the first acquisition, it had to be a major player, and Donnie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in one of the most important aspect of the EDM scene: shows.
Dayglow LLC
Date Acquired: August 2012
Cost: n/a
Stake: 100%
Dayglow, which is now known as Life in Color, was one of the first acquisitions that SFX made, and with the number of "paint parties" that they were throwing across the world, it was a great place to start. Since changing the name to Life In Color, we've seen the increase in awareness, with acts like 2 Chainz being booked to perform at forthcoming events.
The Voodoo Experience
Date Acquired: January 2013
Cost: n/a
Stake: n/a
Voodoo's based in New Orleans, and puts on multi-day, multi-genre festivals that draw in huge names. It isn't solely EDM-centric, but it could be a great way for SFX to bridge the gap (at least in New Orleans).
Huka Entertainment
Date Acquired: January 2013
Cost: n/a
Stake: 100%
Huka is another live event promoter in the New Orleans/Gulf Coast region, helping put on everything from the Hangout Festival to concerts for Jimmy Buffett, Bon Jovi, and more.
Beatport
Date Acquired: February 2013
Cost: "a little more than $50 million"
Stake: 100%
Beatport spent the last nine years becoming a major player in digital music purchasing, and a one-stop shop for anyone trying to purchase EDM music. SFX has plans on turning Beatport into a true hub, one that'll filter news, tickets to shows, and much more from this one portal.
ID&T
Date Acquired: April 2013, October 2013
Cost: $130 million
Stake: 100%
Originally set to be a deal where ID&T, the company that puts on everything from TomorrowLand to Sensation, was to bring their brands to America (which was done in 2013), they came back in October of 2013 and bought up the remaining shares. This is a major coup for SFX, as the brands that ID&T has established are worldwide sensations (pun intended).
Miami Marketing Group
Date Acquired: June 2013
Cost: $16.9 million
Stake: 80%
MMG operates some of the biggest clubs in Miami, including LIV, Story, and Arkadia, so this is a great foothold for SFX in one of the biggest hotbeds in America for EDM.
Totem OneLove
Date Acquired: October 2013
Cost: $75 million
Stake: 100%
Totem OneLove is the company that not only puts on Stereosonic, but has made major moves in the Australian dance music scene.
Arc90
Date Acquired: October 2013
Cost: n/a
Stake: n/a
Word is that Arc90, who created a "bookmark now, read later" app called Readability, is said to have worked with others on making apps for both the web and mobile. We haven't heard real word about what Arc90 will be doing for SFX, but that information could be used everywhere, from whatever hub they want to turn Beatport into to updating/perfecting apps for festivals and other live events.
Fame House
Date Acquired: October 2013
Cost: n/a
Stake: n/a
We don't know too much about Fame House; their website says that they "help artists and entertainers manage their digital presence, reach new audiences, and connect with their fans through unique digital campaigns. We are building digital businesses for our clients, not just websites, Facebook Likes, and Twitter followers." Smart purchase for an empire that sees so many of its artists rise (and fall) via these Internets.
Tunezy
Date Acquired: October 2013
Cost: n/a
Stake: n/a
Tunezy is an interesting purchase, as their aim is to create "life experiences" between fans and artists, with everything from pre-show dinners to backstage passes being offered up. We'll see how this will factor into the bigger picture, but in creating new stars, many nerw fans will want these kinds of experiences.
Made Event
Date Acquired: November 2013
Cost: n/a
Stake: 70%
Even with the controversy arising from the deaths at Electric Zoo 2013, SFX controlling Made Event is a big deal. It's a homegrown promotion company, and one that already has legs.
Rock In Rio
Date Acquired: November 2013
Cost: n/a
Stake: 50%
Rock in Rio has spent their time bringing some of the biggest stars to Rio de Janiero, and word is that there could be a Rock In Rio event in the United States in 2015.
i-Motion
Date Acquired: November 2013
Cost: $12 million
Stake: 60%
This purchase builds SFX's European presence, with i-Motion being a big part of the German festival scene, as well as having reach in Russia, Poland, and other spots.
Paylogic
Date Acquired: December 2013
Cost: $16.2 million
Stake: 75%
Paylogic will be a huge part of the ticket purchasing side of SFX; with the acquisition of so many different festival brands and promotion companies, with an eye for a rise in demand, it makes sense that SFX would be sure to have a company like Paylogic on deck to help with that demand and the problems that might arise.
