A live performance from KISS, which has sold its catalog and other IP to Pophouse Entertainment. Photo Credit: Raph_PH
Pophouse Entertainment has officially acquired the catalog, name and likeness rights, and trademarks of KISS – with plans for a biopic and other projects already in motion.
Pophouse reached out this morning with word of its latest music-IP investment, having closed a deal for the work of Cyndi Lauper in late February. The latter play marked the Björn Ulvaeus-founded and Stockholm-based company’s first song-rights agreement with an American act, following acquisitions of interests in the catalogs of Swedish House Mafia and Avicii.
Evidently, though, the Lauper tie-up didn’t mark the end of the business’s international catalog-buyout ambitions. Prior to today’s far-reaching pact, Pophouse, which powers ABBA Voyage, was already developing a KISS avatar band.
That digital offering is still set for a 2027 launch and, given the extent of Pophouse’s investment, will undoubtedly be complemented by a variety of promotional initiatives.
Regarding the deal’s scope, Pophouse noted that it’s poised to assume ownership (“subject to certain conditions and regulatory approvals”) of the “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” act’s “artist share of the master recordings and publishing rights.”
And while the purchasing party opted against disclosing a precise price tag, it did indicate that the transaction encompasses the one-time Grammy nominee’s “brand name and likeness – including the world-famous face paint designs – as well as trademarks.” (The Financial Times, however, placed the transaction’s value at $300 million.)
Moving forward, Pophouse intends to coordinate “closely” with KISS “to unlock new audiences and revenue streams,” optimizing the body of work’s reach and “actively seeking to enrich and add value to the brands and artists” associated with the 51-year-old group.
Elaborating on these objectives, Pophouse head of investment Johan Lagerlöf underscored “the band’s vision to become immortal” and remain culturally relevant for generations to come.
“KISS is one of the most recognised and iconic bands in the history of music,” said Lagerlöf. “They redefined the concept of rock shows and have always taken their artistry to new unchartered territories.
“The band has consistently been able to appeal to new generations of fans and our mission is to fulfill the band’s vision to become immortal, and to let new generations discover and be part of the KISS journey and carry it forward. With the help of the fans’ energy, the band, our expertise, and creativity – we will make that vision happen,” concluded the Spotify exec and Starmony co-founder Lagerlöf.
And in comments of his own, KISS co-founder and bassist Gene Simmons touched on the initially mentioned projects (including but not limited to the avatar group) that are in the pipeline.
“We have always been breaking new ground in popular culture, and this partnership will ensure that we continue to do so for years to come,” communicated 74-year-old Simmons. “Because what Pophouse is doing, is breaking rules. We already have several plans in development, where the avatar show is one, a biopic another and a KISS themed experience a third. The future could not be more exciting!”
