Assumptions that the sale of Warner Music to the consortium led by Edgar
Bronfman Jr would keep Warner's recording and publishing divisions in the same company may as yet prove to be unfounded.
According to reports yesterday composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is now interested in bidding to acquire Warner's publishing division, Warner Chappell. A spokesman for Webber told the Guardian yesterday that: "Andrew is seriously interested. He is confident he can get a consortium together."
Lloyd Webber heads up the Really Useful Group - which produces theatrical
productions and runs a number of key London theatres. That company includes
a small music publishing business which owns the rights to Lloyd Webber's
musicals - including Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar and Phantom Of The Opera.
Word is Lloyd Webber would merge that business into Warner Chappell if he
successfully bid for the company.
It is as yet unclear if Warner Chappell is up for sale as a stand-alone business - though industry insiders reckon that if bidding begins others would compete with Lloyd Webber to acquire the company.
Via: CMU
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