EXPERIENCE

Rachael’s recent experience includes representing:

M&A, Private Capital, and Finance

• SESAC in relation to the reorganization and subsequent securitization of certain SESAC licensed music rights entities, including the Audio Network group
• DAZN in connection with its bid for the BT Sport TV business
• KKR on its US$1.1 billion acquisition of Kobalt Capital’s music rights portfolio
• Northleaf on its strategic alliance with Lyric Capital Group
• Moonbug Entertainment Limited, a digital-first children’s entertainment company on its acquisition of Cocomelon, the most-viewed YouTube channel in the US, and Supa Strikas
• Crossroads Live, Inc. on its investment into Tremendous Entertainment, a Malaysian-based producer and presenter of entertainment content in the South East Asia region
• Sony Pictures Entertainment on its acquisition of Silvergate Media, a developer of children’s brands for broadcasters, streamers and retail partners (including the Octonauts and Peter Rabbit)
• Netflix on its acquisition of Millarworld — the comic book company behind Kick-Ass, Kingsman, and Old Man Logan — in Netflix’s first-ever company acquisition
• An investment into a major music streaming service
• ITV on its acquisition of The Garden Productions, So Television, and Big Talk*
• A leading international advertising agency on its investment in a digital-first talent management company*
• Ministry of Sound Recordings on its acquisition by Sony Music UK*

Media & Entertainment Commercial Work

• SRMG in connection with its content and brand licensing arrangement with Warner Bros. Discovery
• Savvy Gaming Group (a games and esports company) on various commercial agreements
• A leading Middle East media company on various TV and digital media projects internationally
• Deviation Games on its AAA title video game development deal with Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
• LifeScore, a music technology start-up, since its early days of operations, including on various third party integrations, such as the use of LifeScore’s technology with Twitch’s “Artificial” program
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Sport on its agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for WWE events exclusively in MENA and in connection with music concerts at live sports events
• Various clients on brand ambassador and endorsement arrangements with talent
• Screenplay Bumilangit on its deal with Disney+
• A major music streaming service on licensing arrangements
• A leading subscription video on demand (SVOD) service on its output arrangements with major US studios and independents*
• A leading US entertainment company on its output arrangements with numerous VOD and pay TV platforms*
• Various major UK channel groups on their channel carriage arrangements with Sky and Virgin Media*

Sports Commercial Work

• Sixth Street in connection with the formation of a new operating company and negotiations surrounding a new “Soccer Champions Tour” in the US featuring six of the world’s most iconic football clubs
• DAZN on its exclusive media rights agreement with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to broadcast the AFC Champions League
• Meta on its appointment as sponsor of the Rugby World Cup France 2023
• World Surf League on hosting arrangements
• Formula E in respect of arrangements with its teams, manufacturers, and sponsors
• Buzzer Media Inc., a sports content app, on its media rights deal for NHL games
• IMG and Endeavor on various matters
• SAFF on its bid to host the Asia Football Cup 2027

Strategic Joint Ventures and Company Formation

•  A Middle East investor on a joint venture with a major international digital media company
• Parkwood Entertainment (Beyoncé’s multimedia company) in connection with intellectual property protection and licensing matters
• BBC Studios (formerly BBC Worldwide) on complex program licensing and JV arrangements
• Leading TV drama producers on the establishment of an independent production company*

Regulatory Advice

• Snap, Inc. in relation to compliance with the EU Copyright Directive
• Various production companies, broadcasters, and digital media services in connection with strategic business matters and regulatory advice on the EU Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive, EU Copyright Directive, and the UK Ofcom Broadcasting Code
• A major sports body on content and regulatory matters in the context of its launch of a new digital content platform*

*Matter handled prior to joining Latham

Thought Leadership

• Client training and articles on the EU AVMS Directive, EU Copyright Directive, and Online Harms