Steve has handled the full range of “core entertainment” transactions and productions for all forms of media (such as all forms of television, digital, theatrical, etc.), and with respect to all types of creative and producing talent, players and material. The following are some examples of the services that Steve offers, whether inside or outside of the box:
- Representation of a “360” sports venture in the equestrian sports and lifestyle category, in connection with athlete/talent/brand ambassador agreements, overall branding, sponsorships, rights acquisitions, live competitions/performances, television agreements, and merger and acquisition transactions
- Representation of an international consumer product brand for an endorsement by an A-list US actor/athlete involving rights, SAG-AFTRA single-project signatory agreement and multi-service talent agreement, fees for services and right of publicity, social media campaign, etc.
- Representation of an insurance company/brand as a sponsor/financier of a series of branded live concerts by A-level recording artists and cut together with documentary elements and repurposed for broadcast
- Representation of production company of a US network television reality/competition series produced entirely in Japan, including managing differences between US and Japanese business culture and, (in association with local counsel), Japanese law
- Representation of the estate of an iconic artist to license limited rights to the artist’s works for use in a comedy competition series for US network broadcast, while retaining all merchandising rights
- Representation of US television production companies for international co-productions produced in Canada (in association with local counsel) under CAVCO and other tax and film board subsidies, including co-financing and co-distribution arrangements with US and Canadian broadcasters
- Representation of Austrian consumer products company for branded television specials produced in the US for international distribution, including deals with broadcasters, international distributors, international talent, live performances by musical artists, rights to music and source material, and other issues related to televised live performances
- Representation of a podcast company in an overall deal with an A-level creator of dramatic podcasts, including distribution and monetization provisions, with pre-negotiated terms for potential film or television series spin-offs
- Representation of a podcast company in connection with podcasts based on and including clips from television series, films and other pre-existing content, including guild issues
- Representation of A-list US actor as co-owner and brand ambassador of a line of cosmetics
- Representation of numerous producers of television and film productions involving extreme sports or very hazardous activities, including legal aspects of risk management protocols (in association with risk management professionals), consents and releases and insurance coverage matters
- Representation of creator/production company of a U.S. reality/sports/competition, financed by a digital platform, and cast with social media influencers participating in an extremely hazardous mountaineering expedition, with an embedded, boosting social media cross-promotional program
- Content and rights-related matters as part of high-value M&A transactions (as part of a team with corporate lawyers), on the “sell side” (e.g., a US production company being purchased by a foreign company) and the “buy side” (e.g., acquisitions of a US production services company, of promoters of live events and of a publishing company)
- Consultation and legal matters pertaining to the use of artificial intelligence as part of the creation of content from creative, rights, production and financial standpoints, including building new legal and business frameworks for new models, which change on a rapid and ongoing basis.
- Life story rights of celebrities and public figures for film and television productions
- Representation of book authors in numerous transactions under varying business models, including evolving distribution publishing models and monetization
