Slipstream Acquires Anthem Entertainment's Production Music Portfolio, Solidifying Its Position as the Largest Independent Music Licensing Platform

In a strategic move that reshapes the music licensing landscape, Slipstream, a leading music licensing platform, has acquired Anthem Entertainment's production music portfolio. The deal includes three major brands – Jingle Punks, 5 Alarm Music, and Cavendish Music – adding over 650,000 tracks to Slipstream's already extensive catalog. This acquisition positions Slipstream as the largest independent music licensing platform globally, poised to revolutionize the industry with its innovative approach and deep industry expertise.

Unlocking a New Era of Music Licensing Innovation

Homecoming for Industry Veterans

The acquisition marks a homecoming for Slipstream's CEO, Dan Demole, and Chief Revenue Officer, Jesse Korwin, who previously co-founded Jingle Punks and held leadership roles at Anthem Production Music Group. This reunion of seasoned industry veterans presents an unprecedented opportunity to build on the success of both brands and lead the next wave of innovation in music licensing.

Combining Creativity and Technology

Slipstream's focus is to blend creativity with cutting-edge technology, making it easier for content creators, brands, and enterprises to find and license the perfect soundtrack for their projects. The expanded platform, bolstered by the addition of Anthem's production music portfolio, will serve a diverse client base, from individual creators to global brands, across various industries, including TV, film, advertising, gaming, social media, and beyond.

Streamlining Music Licensing

The acquisition aligns with Slipstream's goal to streamline the music licensing process, providing a seamless and efficient experience for its clients. By leveraging its extensive catalog and tech-enabled platform, Slipstream aims to revolutionize the way content creators and businesses access and license the perfect music for their projects, ultimately enhancing the creative process and driving innovation in the industry.

Proven Leaders, Shared Vision

Anthem Entertainment's CEO, Jason Klein, expressed confidence in the leadership of Demole and Korwin, stating that the sale to Slipstream has placed Jingle Punks, 5 Alarm, and Cavendish Music in the "familiar and capable hands of proven leaders in the production music and technology space." This alignment of vision and trust in the Slipstream team's expertise is further solidified by Anthem's decision to maintain a stake in the company through an investment.

Transformational Acquisition, Reshaping the Industry

The acquisition is backed by Pollen Street Capital, a London-based investment management company, which sees immense potential in the partnership. Michael Katramados, a Partner at Pollen Street, expressed excitement about the opportunity to support Slipstream's transformational acquisition, stating that the combined strengths of a vast music library, cutting-edge technology, and the industry expertise of Demole and Korwin make this a "very exciting business" poised to reshape the rapidly evolving music licensing industry.

Expanding Anthem's Strategic Focus

For Anthem Entertainment, the sale of its production music businesses aligns with the company's strategic focus under the leadership of CEO Jason Klein. Since his appointment in January 2023, Anthem has been concentrating on its core music publishing and recorded music divisions, while evaluating options for its production music assets. The sale to Slipstream allows Anthem to place these businesses in the hands of proven leaders who can drive their future growth and innovation.

Anthem's Expanding Catalog

Over the past years, Anthem has been actively expanding its catalog, acquiring publishing interests in the works of acclaimed artists and songwriters, including three-time JUNO Award and Grammy-winning, multi-Platinum selling singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, as well as a catalog of Timbaland's songs from some of his biggest hits with Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, and others. The company has also acquired songs from Boardwalk Music Group, co-written by songwriter Eric Frederic (Ricky Reed), including hits by artists such as Halsey, Leon Bridges, Lizzo, and Meghan Trainor.

Anthem's Storied History

Anthem Entertainment's origins can be traced back to its beginnings as a Canadian record label, in which three members of the band Rush – Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson – were associate directors. The company was later acquired by Canadian music rights company ole Media Management in November 2015, and in June 2019, ole was rebranded as Anthem Entertainment, solidifying its position as a leading player in the music industry.