This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Deals Labels & Publishers Media
Warner Music announces telly and film projects alliance with Imagine Entertainment
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 7 July 2020
Warner Music has announced one of those “multi-year strategic partnerships” that all the cool kids are talking about with the movie and TV firm Imagine Entertainment.
The two companies plan to co-produce and co-finance “a slate of music-centered projects across multiple mediums”, which is good news for fans of both slates and mediums I guess. And biopics and documentaries focused on pop stars.
“I’ve always looked for new ways to bring a story to life”, Imagine co-founder Brian Glazer reckons, adding, “this is my passion”. And, that’s relevant, see, because this new partnership with Warner Music “gives us a new dimension to do exactly that – ignite emotion in stories”. Whatever you say, Brian.
“The content that lives inside songs gives life to a fresh sonic and cinematic power”. Yeah, yeah, we get it Brian. “Len Blavatnik is a visionary in the space”. That’s enough Brian, we’re on board. “Everyone at Imagine is THRILLED to partner with him and his team”. Everyone? I mean, did you actually ask everyone? Every single person? “Thanks again to WMG, particularly Steve, Max and Charlie”.
So, yeah, that’s Brian Glazer there, who founded Imagine with director and ‘Happy Days’ star Ron Howard all the way back in 1985. Len Blavatnik, of course, is owner of Warner Music parent company Access Industries. Steve is Steve Cooper, CEO of Warner Music. Charlie is Charlie Cohen, who heads of the mini-major’s film and TV unit. And Max – I assume – though the official announcement didn’t say – is Warner’s recordings chief Max Lousada. It’s a good job I’m here to unpack Brian’s quotes isn’t it? Well done me.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Ron, Brian and the stellar team at Imagine to bring to screens the captivating stories of our artists, our songwriters and our labels”, says the aforementioned Cooper, who presumably didn’t have time to check if “everyone” at Warner Music was “excited” about the partnership.
“With a global roster of superstar talent and a rich musical history in our archives, we have great opportunities to marry music, narrative, and image through biopics, documentaries, and other visual platforms”. Lovely stuff.
“I can’t wait to see what emerges from the collaboration between our team at Warner Music Entertainment, led by Charlie Cohen, and the inspired creativity of Imagine”, adds Coop. Neither can I Coop. But then I’m a well known fan of fresh sonics and cinematic power. That and PR bullshit. I love the PR bullshit.
Though beyond the PR bullshit, Imagine has produced plenty of great music-related films and TV series over the years, so there could be some decent music-centred projects on the slate as a result of of this, via all your favourite mediums.
The two companies have already collaborated on an Aretha Franklin biopic series that will premiere this autumn, on the National Geographic channel for some reason.
