MUSIC

In the music industry we advise managers, publishers, artists, record labels, songwriters, bands, promoters, festivals, locally and abroad. Having advised some of the biggest and brightest in the industry, including bands, festivals and companies, McCormicks is the trusted advisor and business partner to some of the industry's most successful. Having been part of running (and not just advising) festivals and also touring and launching acts locally and abroad, there is very few entertainment teams who Get the industry like McCormicks. Our MD Matt is a regular guest speaker at industry forums, festivals and conferences and also sits on industry boards. 

• Contract preparation and reviews
• Deal negotiations & making
• Agreements – tours, venues, bands, managers, merchandising, endorsements, sponsorship, supply and licensing
• Trade marking, intellectual property and image protection
• Band disputes
• Recording, distribution, licensing and syndication deals
• Business structuring for bands and soloists
• Digital media and streaming
• Music festival affairs
• Litigation (and avoiding it)
• Terms and conditions and privacy
• Digital media
• Other commercial issues including: recovery of outstanding debts, insolvency, new ventures and acquisitions, employee/talent issues and regulatory compliance
• Advising festivals & tours 
• Reality TV contracts
• Industry investment structures
• Tour support and entertainment visas

We run regular "Music for Grown-Ups" seminars for young artists and managers, as well as bi-yearly showcases of our clients to industry.

Some work

Tour support services for international act including business affairs, administering binders & deposits, settling venue agreements, riders + Visas | Advised on US/AUS tax treaty for touring artist | Band break up dispute litigation | Negotiated record deal with US label for a domestic band Artist business restructure, including establishment of trust and new corporate entities with copyright and image rights transfer agreements | Label affairs services, including full suite realignment and updating of outdated contracts and agreements | Management agreement for established act taking on new management | License clearances with artist over 2 continents for compilation album | Advised manager of international artists on contract dispute | Advised on Australian label joint venture with US company International joint venture negotiations for music label and management company | Advised on and drafted online distribution agreements | Advised various reality TV show contestants on audition terms, waivers and finalist contracts | Recovery of sums owed to various artists for non-paid performance fees and to festival for unpaid sponsorship and stall fees | Creditor negotiations for promoter | Advised heirs to a estate holding outstanding royalty payments | Negotiation and transaction of publishing company and catalogue acquisition by label | Establishment of new labels and publishing companies | Acted in a dispute between co-promoters relating to recent international tour | Advised UK touring company on Australian touring and legislative requirements