Imagem USA has confirmed the extension of its decades-long publishing and brand management agreement with The Irving Berlin Music Company.
Imagem USA will continue to act as the exclusive agent administering The Irving Berlin Music Company’s music publishing rights throughout the US and Canada.
Rodgers & Hammerstein (R&H) began representing The Irving Berlin Music Company in 1990, just after Berlin passed away.
"Irving Berlin was one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century," said André de Raaff, CEO and co-owner of Imagem. "It is our honour to oversee this exceptional catalogue of more than 1,000 songs and continue our great relationship with the Irving Berlin Family and Estate."
Bill Gaden, Imagem USA CEO added: "Songs like White Christmas, Cheek To Cheek, Blue Skies, Always and There’s No Business Like Show Business have become the foundation of the American Songbook, we are thrilled to continue our work bringing Irving Berlin’s music to a new generation of fans."
R&H Theatricals also extended its global theatrical licensing representation agreement for Berlin musicals Annie Get Your Gun, White Christmas and Top Hat, and also entered into a new worldwide theatrical representation agreement for the new Irving Berlinmusical Holiday Inn, which opened on Broadway in 2016. The R&H Concert Library also renewed its representation of The Irving Berlin Music Company’s complete catalogue of songs to license as concert performances worldwide.
Ted Chapin, chief creative officer of Rodgers & Hammerstein said: "It has been a privilege to manage the Berlin catalogue since we first set up the arrangement in 1990 between the Berlin family and Rodgers & Hammerstein. Berlin had a reputation for keeping things awfully quiet, and we woke up both the music publishing and the theatrical worlds of Irving Berlin.
“In addition to the five new stage productions created - two of which played Broadway - we have made certain the name and work of Irving Berlin remain in the forefront of music and musical theater worldwide.”
