AMEC’S NEWS MAGAZINE 4-19-2024

20th Anniversary Celebration Of The Counsel of the Year Awards

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS CELEBRATING LEGAL EXCELLENCE

Step into the realm of greatness as the Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel (AMEC), an illustrious organization with an esteemed 20-year legacy, beckons forth the crème de la crème of legal minds. With over 14,000 distinguished in-house counsel and business luminaries hailing from renowned studios, networks, Guilds, talent agencies, and leading entertainment and media conglomerates, AMEC proudly presents its most momentous occasion yet – the Annual Counsel of the Year Awards.

Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable evening on January 16, 2025, as we honor the paragons of legal prowess across a spectrum of categories:

Counsel Of The Year (General Counsel or Division Legal Officer)
PwC Daniel Brandhorst Dealmaker of the Year (Talented Dealmaker)
Rising Star (Shining Bright with less than 10 years of law practice)
Music Counsel
Sports Counsel
Labor and Employment Counsel
Technology and New Media Counsel
Public Counsel (Governmental Agency/Non-Profit)
Live, Hospitality, & Location-Based Entertainment Counsel
Excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution (Expert Mediator, Arbitrator, Referee/Special Master, Neutral Evaluator)
Excellence In Legal Education
Law Firm of the Year

In a special commemoration of our 20th anniversary, each honoree will receive an exclusive 20th-anniversary commemorative award, crafted to mark this historic milestone. These commemorative awards will be retired after the ceremony, making them a cherished symbol of distinction for years to come.

To nominate an outstanding candidate, kindly provide the following details:

Name
Title
Organization
Contact Details

Should you prefer to keep your nomination anonymous, please let us know.

Seize this momentous opportunity and submit your nominations now to AMEC Executive Director Monique Happy at mhappy@theamec.org. Prepare to bear witness to the ascent of legal legends as they are rightfully acknowledged at the 2025 Counsel of the Year Awards.

PLEASE NOTE: Except for the Law Firm of the Year category, nominations and honorees are limited to in-house counsel only.

We are getting an early start on the nomination process so you don’t miss your chance to be a part of this historic celebration of legal excellence!

Memorable Moments: Relive The Excitement Of The 2024 Counsel Of The Year Awards In The Highlights Video

We are thrilled to highlight the exceptional work of the media and entertainment legal community at the 2024 Counsel of the Year Awards. As the only organization of its kind, AMEC plays a pivotal role in our industry, providing cutting-edge legal seminars, invaluable networking opportunities, and, perhaps most importantly, recognizing the outstanding but often overlooked achievements of in-house counsel across studios, networks, guilds, talent and management agencies, and all the major entertainment and media companies.

From navigating complex contracts to safeguarding creative rights, this year’s honorees are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, ensuring that the magic of storytelling thrives while upholding the highest standards of integrity and legality. Their inspiring acceptance speeches, filled with passion and gratitude, serve as a testament to their dedication and vision.

The atmosphere at the event was nothing short of electrifying, with industry leaders, influencers, and rising stars coming together to celebrate our collective achievements. It was a night filled with inspiration and camaraderie, reminding us all of the incredible impact we can make when we collaborate and support one another.

As we reflect on this unforgettable evening, we eagerly anticipate the milestone 20th Anniversary Counsel of the Year Awards ceremony on January 16th, 2025! (Click here for the 2024 Counsel of the Year Awards Recap Video)

Save the date, as we continue to honor and elevate the brightest lights in our industry!

#CounselOfTheYear #MediaExcellence #EntertainmentIndustry #Inspiration #20thAnniversaryCelebration #2025COTYA

LEE JAY BERMAN, RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Lee Jay Berman is a private, independent mediator specializing in the entertainment industry. He began as a full-time mediator 29 years ago, and has successfully mediated over 2,700 matters, many of which were high-profile cases. He just can’t talk about those! Chambers USA ranks him in their prestigious Band 1, among the top 13 mediators nationally. Who’s Who of International Commercial Mediation named him among the 10 Global Thought Leaders in North America. The Daily Journal twice named him Top Neutral. He is a AAA Master Mediator for employment matters and a national panelist on their commercial mediation panel.

Also a popular trainer, Lee Jay founded the American Institute of Mediation after seven years as Director of Pepperdine’s Mediating the Litigated Case program (ranked #1 nationally). He has trained mediators, judges, attorneys, and business leaders globally in negotiation and conflict resolution, and the ABA is publishing his first two books in 2024.

Lee Jay’s practice emphasizes copyright, trademark, trade secrets, and partnership and contract disputes, as well as music royalties, all manner of employment claims, and he frequently works with A-level talent involved in matters ranging from contract issues to libel, slander, and even sexual assault. Music Connection magazine called him the “Band Whisperer” for his ability to keep together rock bands on the verge of breaking up (sorry, he was too young to help the Beatles). He enjoys working with partners and teams of all sizes.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Mr. Berman actively supports the TJ Martell Foundation for cancer research, and UCLA’s Wooden Athletic Fund. He also served for many years as a Trustee of Olive Crest Homes for Abused Children, and as President of Kids at Heart.

Lee Jay’s acceptance speech: https://vimeo.com/906493406/07fb6634d2?share=copy

Video Games Market Update

Houlihan Lokey

The video game industry stabilized and returned to growth in 2023.

The industry returned to growth in 2023, driven by better console supply, a stronger new release lineup, growth in the subscription model, and live game services.
2023 saw many video game companies look inward, rationalize operations, reduce costs, and position themselves for profitable growth in 2024 onward.
Industry valuations have moderated versus the frothy levels seen in 2021, creating an opportunity for investors and buyers to enter the market.

We are bullish as the video game industry is resilient and will continue to evolve and reinvent itself, and gamers are still gaming (at record levels!).

Total video game players are on track to hit nearly four billion by 2026, as video games continue to show strength as the No. 1 form of entertainment for younger generations.
A powerful shift in media consumption to video games across all age groups is expected to drive long-term sustainable growth globally.
New innovative revenue models are expected to drive user engagement and revenue over the coming years (i.e., free-to-play (F2P), in-game advertising, and transmedia).

We have seen a noticeable pick-up in M&A activity in recent months, following a slowdown in 2023.

Notable M&A includes Activision Blizzard (acquired by Microsoft after clearing lengthy regulatory proceedings), Rovio (acquired by Sega Sammy), Scopely (acquired by Savvy Games), Jagex (acquired by CVC and Haveli), and Saber Interactive (acquired by private investor group).
While certain strategic buyers pulled back from M&A in 2023, there have been several notable new market entrants, such as Savvy Games, Netflix, and Disney.
In 2024, we expect to see a growing number of financial sponsors investing in the video game space as well, as they take notice of compelling (private and public) market opportunities. – We believe there is a significant investment opportunity in the Indie game market, a market that is highly fragmented and ripe for growth and consolidation.

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