Easttree, a New Investment Platform for TV and Film Income Rights, Launches
A groundbreaking investment company is set to revolutionize the way we view the film and TV industry. Inspired by the recent trend of musicians selling their back catalogs, Easttree Media aims to tap into the lucrative world of film and television income rights.
At the American Film Market, Easttree Media made its official debut, promising to acquire income rights for some of the world's most iconic films and TV shows. The brainchild of two former executives from Hipgnosis, a management company that made waves by investing hundreds of millions in music catalog rights, Easttree Media is poised to make a significant impact.
Founded in the UK and backed by the U.S. investment giant BlackRock in May, Easttree Media is on a mission to empower actors, writers, directors, producers, and other rights holders. It offers them the opportunity to monetize their participation interests, whether fully or partially, creating ongoing alignment and long-term revenue partnerships.
The company's founders, Marc Allen, Chris Helm, and Markku Lonnqvist, bring a wealth of experience to the table. Allen, with his background in the film and TV entertainment industry, previously served as COO at 42, a management and production company. Helm, a former CFO of Hipgnosis Songs Funds, oversaw music catalog acquisitions. Lonnqvist, the Chief Investment Officer at Hipgnosis Song Management, previously held a partnership at Pamplona Capital Management.
Allen expressed his pride in creating this business with his team and BlackRock, emphasizing the unique opportunity to work with creators, producers, and platforms across the film and TV spectrum. Helm added that their vision is to approach film and TV participations with transparency, alignment, and partnerships that serve talent, advocating for artists while scaling and succeeding commercially.
BlackRock's Paul Braude praised the collaboration with Easttree Media, highlighting the enduring appeal of iconic film and television titles. He believes that these assets provide clients with diverse investment options and a reliable source of returns.
The story of Hipgnosis, which launched in 2018, is a cautionary tale. Their aggressive acquisitions between 2021 and 2023, including the catalogs of renowned artists like Neil Young and Justin Bieber, drove up music catalog prices. However, their overextension led to a sale to Blackstone in 2024 for $1.6 billion. Easttree Media aims to learn from Hipgnosis' success and potential pitfalls, offering a fresh approach to income rights in film and television.
