Patrick Sullivan, Leading Digital Music, Media Industry Veteran, to Launch RightsFlow Entertainment Group - Strategic Planning, Rights Advisory Firm

Patrick Sullivan, Leading Digital Music, Media Industry Veteran, to Launch RightsFlow Entertainment Group - Strategic Planning, Rights Advisory Firm

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading digital music executives Patrick Sullivan and Ben Cockerham have joined to launch a new venture -- RightsFlow Entertainment Group -- focusing on strategic planning and rights solutions. The new firm will assist companies engaged in the commercial exploitation of music and media copyrights by providing strategic planning services, creating implementation teams, and ensuring cost effective solutions for licensing of copyrights with a key emphasis on publishing.

"With the advent of a myriad of new music industry business models, there is a striking need for clarity and guidance in the matters of creating and obtaining proper licenses as well as practically implementing those licenses," said Patrick Sullivan, founding Principal of RightsFlow. "Moreover, music and media companies are increasingly looking for fresh innovative perspectives and new financial models. We are here to connect the dots."

RightsFlow is the culmination of a partnership by noted executives Patrick Sullivan and Ben Cockerham. Clients will benefit from their expertise in strategic planning and business development to guide in operating, implementing, and growing their current business models. The core competencies of the firm will focus specifically of Strategic Planning/Business Development & Rights Advisory/Negotiations. Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, new media uses, mobile operations, online retail and streaming, advertising/branding, and industry level rights practices across the globe.

"Any company wanting to engage in a commercial exploitation of music knows it has to spend serious time aligning to the practices and requirements of the industry -- a major cost for the uninitiated," said Steve D'Onofrio, President of D'Onofrio & Associates, former Executive Vice President & Director of Anti- Piracy at the RIAA. "By bridging the gap between the rights holder and the company, RightsFlow fills a much needed void, saving time and money to both parties."

The company members have a long, storied history connecting emerging technology, new business ideas, and insightful investors. "From our point of view, there are a substantial number of new ways for both entrepreneurial companies and musicians to earn revenue in today's music industry climate," said Patrick Sullivan. "With our connections to content rights holders, industry bodies, and those companies responsible for the funding and execution of new business, we feel we are a strong resource to aid the expanding business landscape."

Chris Horenz, former CMO of eMusic and President of PCH.com states, "Patrick Sullivan represents a rare combination of rights expertise and clear business thinking -- and that translates into helping his partners get more product to market, lower costs, and ultimately move more units."

The new company boasts an advisory board that includes industry heavy hitters Steve D'Onofrio, President of D'Onofrio & Associates; Chris Hoerenz, former CMO of eMusic; Mathew Dunn, PhD, Founder of Socratech; Cedric Deniau, CTO of emusic.com; and Noreen Springstead, Director of Fundraising & Marketing, WHY (World Hunger Year)

Initially, RightsFlow plans to focus on core competencies guiding forward thinking companies to new revenue streams by creative strategies and effective exploitation of music copyrights. In early 2008, the company anticipates the launch of separate related business lines, including a rollout of a variety of music related products.

About The Founding Partners

Patrick Sullivan is one of the music industry's foremost authorities on digital music and rights negotiations-- a wide expertise including such areas as: publishing, mobile, media, advertising and brand special products. Recently, Sullivan held a dual executive position as VP of Licensing and Music Services for both The Orchard & eMusic. He is also a former Director of Research and Development at the National Music Publisher's Association/Harry Fox Agency (HFA). While there, he managed industry negotiations, internal corporate policy matters, new media, and public relations for the member organization. While there, he worked on crucial industry issues such as the Supreme Court case of MGM v. Grokster, industry litigation against MP3.com, Napster, and the recent settlement of Bertelsmann with NMPA. Sullivan is a leader in strategic thinking and has been at the forefront of music industry evolution throughout his 17 year career.

Ben Cockerham comes to RightsFlow from The Orchard where he served as Director of Global Operations for the Music Services division. He was instrumental in the division's conception and realization and served as the day to day manager over the business areas of Film, TV, Advertising, and Interactive Synchronization, Publishing Administration, Mechanical Licensing, Ringtone/Ringback licensing, Neighboring Rights Collections, and Special Licensing Services. With Patrick Sullivan, he started and managed operations in over 10 territories around the globe.

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Source: RightsFlow Entertainment Group

CONTACT: Briele Douglass of Sunshine, Sachs & Associates,
+1-212-691-2800, douglass@sunshinesachs.com, info@rightsflow.com, for
RightsFlow Entertainment Group

Web site: http://www.rightsflow.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment