Influence Media Partners made a strategic investment in IPNation, described in a press release as “the first investment platform dedicated exclusively to Arabic music catalogs and entertainment intellectual property.”
IPNation, which has a target investment size of $100 million, will focus on acquiring music and entertainment intellectual property in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including music masters and publishing rights, artist brands, and name, image and likeness (NIL) rights. The company will develop the IP it acquires “into multi-format entertainment franchises spanning immersive experiences, live shows, film, documentaries, merchandise, gaming, licensing, AI-powered derivatives, and next-generation fan engagement,” states the release.
IPNation was founded by Anghami co-founder Eddy Maroun and Jose Maria Dot, former chief investment officer of Multiply Group (now 2PointZero) and managing director of FTI Capital Advisors. Influence Media Partners, led by founder and co-managing partner Lylette Pizarro McLean, specializes in the acquisition and management of music and entertainment intellectual property. Supported by strategic partnerships with funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, its portfolio includes works by artists including DJ Khaled, Enrique Iglesias and Future.
“This partnership marks an important step in the evolution of Influence Media,” said Ram Kolluri, head of investments and strategic partnerships at Influence Media Partners, in a statement. “We’ve long believed that premium music IP is a global asset class, and the Middle East represents one of the most exciting opportunities for long-term growth. IPNation combines deep regional expertise with a compelling vision for the future of Arabic music and entertainment IP. Together, we believe we can create lasting value for creators, rights holders, and audiences across the region and beyond.”
“Arabic music and entertainment IP represent one of the most undervalued cultural asset classes globally today,” said Dot, IPNation’s CEO. “IPNation was created to institutionalize investment into iconic and predictable income-generating IP while generating upside through our IPNation Value Creation Playbook, bringing our music to larger audiences efficiently. We believe the Middle East is entering a new era where culture itself becomes a scalable financial asset.”
Eddy Maroun, chairman and chief innovation officer of IPNation, added: “For decades, Arabic music created massive cultural impact but very little long-term ownership value for the region itself. IPNation changes that. We are not only acquiring catalogs; we are building a platform that transforms Arabic IP into global entertainment franchises across music, live experiences, storytelling, gaming, AI, and beyond.”
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