BUSINESS & ENTERTAINMENT - Simon Fuller Partners with 19 Entertainment

Simon Fuller - American Idol Creator/Executive Producer and Founder/CEO of XIX Entertainmen - (Photo: Business Wire)

To Guide the Career of the Winner of This Year’s ‘American Idol’

LOS ANGELES, CA USA. -- (BUSINESS WIRE)

Friday, April 01, 2011

Simon Fuller in partnership with 19 Entertainment and CKX, Inc., will be managing this year’s winner of “American Idol”. “

Simon’s vision in creating the show was to provide a launchpad for breaking new music talent. Two hundred and fifty million downloads later his success in achieving that goal is completely evident. I couldn't be more excited to continue to work in this exciting new partnership between 19 and XIX.”

“American Idol” is currently the No.1 show in America. It was created and is executive produced by Simon Fuller.

This new arrangement will be the first time that Simon Fuller has personally managed an act from the show since he launched Adam Lambert’s career in 2009. Over the last eight years, Simon Fuller has guided the multi-platinum careers of a select handful of award-winning Idol singers, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, David Cook and Chris Daughtry.

Currently in its tenth season, “American Idol” remains a ratings smash and a critical hit. Working closely with 19 Entertainment and CKX, Simon Fuller has been instrumental in re-engineering the show by introducing a new judging panel, as well as bringing in Chairman of Interscope Records and renowned music producer Jimmy Iovine, and welcoming a new music partner in Universal Music Group. Reflecting all this, “American Idol” was recently ranked No.1 on Forbes magazine’s annual list of TV’s top money-makers.

“Simon possesses an incredible track record as an artist manager and this is a win-win for everyone,” stated Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group. “The fact that he will be guiding the careers of the winner and runner up is a tremendous boost for American Idol’s talent and in many ways, it’s also part of the prize.”

“Simon Fuller is the rare breed who can effect popular culture both in America and in Europe. He has brought us a platform for music like nothing before it in American Idol. The opportunity for this year’s winner and runner up to be managed by someone of his caliber along with UMG’s commitment to these artists and show is incomparable,” said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records.

“Simon Fuller and I have worked together on Idol throughout the entire history of the show,” said Iain Pirie, President of 19 Entertainment. “Simon’s vision in creating the show was to provide a launchpad for breaking new music talent. Two hundred and fifty million downloads later his success in achieving that goal is completely evident. I couldn't be more excited to continue to work in this exciting new partnership between 19 and XIX.”

“Simon Fuller is one of the best artist managers in the business and his track record for success is indisputable. Past Idol winners have become stars under his guidance, and I'm psyched that this year's American Idol winner will have the opportunity to work with him to cultivate their respective promising careers. It's going to be exciting to watch,” said Ryan Seacrest.

Whether teaching America to text (“American Idol”) or creating “girl power” (Spice Girls) in the 1990s, Simon Fuller has left an indelible mark on popular culture, repeatedly raising the bar of success. In the world of music, he has consistently set chart and sales records, including selling more than 250 million songs recorded by “American Idol” artists on iTunes, the world’s largest music store, and managing the Spice Girls phenomenon (56 million albums sold, a $100-million tour, and a movie with worldwide grosses in excess of $110 million).

Fuller launched XIX Entertainment earlier this year to work in partnership with star talent that includes Annie Lennox, Jennifer Lopez, David Beckham, Lewis Hamilton, Roland Mouret, Andy Murray, Carrie Underwood, Sir Michael Caine, Lisa Marie Presley, and The Spice Girls, among others.

CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of globally recognized entertainment content. The Company's current properties include the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali and the operations of Graceland. Through its wholly-owned division 19 Entertainment Ltd., CKX owns proprietary rights to the “Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance” television brands, including the “American Idol” series in the United States and local adaptations of the “Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance” television show formats, which collectively, air in more than 100 countries, as well as other television properties. Also through 19, CKX has relationships and partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry and David Cook.

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