(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) –- Music mogul Irving Azoff, chairman of azoffmusic management, and entertainment industry executive Robert Geddes, have formed a partnership with JHW Greentree Capital LLC, an affiliate of Whitney & Co., LLC, of Stamford, CT, to explore, initiate and develop entertainment marketing and corporate communications opportunities and additional acquisitions. Its first acquisition is TBA Entertainment Corporation. CelebrityAccess first reported about TBA’s exclusive negotiations with Azoff in February.
The acquisition of TBA will enable it to expand services, accelerate growth and provide a more comprehensive level of event-driven entertainment marketing and corporate communications services for new and existing clients. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2004 subject to shareholder approval. Following completion, Geddes will assume the post of CEO, TBA Entertainment Corporation. Azoff and Mike Stone, managing partner of Whitney & Co. LLC and of JHW Greentree, will assume co-chairman posts and continue in their present capacities.
"By leveraging the combined resources of the partnership and TBA, we will create an unparalleled level of communications services and music marketing expertise," said Azoff.
TBA will continue operating its regional offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, Salt Lake City, and San Diego. Throughout the transition period current TBA Chairman Jock Weaver will serve in a consulting capacity. Following the merger’s completion, he will the leave the company to pursue other interests. – Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
