Pophouse Entertainment announces the acquisition of Tina Turner’s name, image, likeness rights, and the majority of her music catalog rights from BMG. The Swedish firm, co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, specializes in digital avatars and immersive experiences.
CEO Outlines Vision for Turner’s Legacy
Pophouse CEO Jessica Koravos highlights Turner’s captivating stage presence and energy as key factors in the deal. “One of the reasons we were so interested in Tina is because she has such an incredible visual presence and such an incredible stage energy,” Koravos stated. “We’re very much looking at projects that can portray that and try to recreate that to some degree.”
“What we want to do is really help to consolidate her legacy,” she added. “I think that Tina Turner is up there, or is going to be up there, with the Elvises and the Marilyn Monroes of the world.”
Koravos confirms plans will emerge within the next six months but declines to specify if a digital avatar features among them. Discussions for the acquisition started after Turner’s death in 2023 at age 83. BMG retains a portion of the catalog, while Turner’s estate participated in the talks without serving as a direct party.
Tina Turner’s Illustrious Career
Dubbed the “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll,” Turner delivered hits like “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “The Best,” and “Proud Mary.” Her achievements include 12 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and 2021, a Kennedy Center Honor in 2005, and global sales exceeding 150 million records.
BMG’s Commitment to Turner’s Work
“Tina Turner’s voice and spirit shaped modern music and popular culture,” stated Alistair Norbury, president of BMG U.K., Continental Europe, and APAC. “Our responsibility, alongside Pophouse and the Estate, is to ensure her work continues to resonate with audiences around the world, while remaining true to the strength, independence and originality that defined her career.”
Pophouse Expands Portfolio
This move aligns with Pophouse’s growing investments. In 2024, Kiss sold its catalog, brand, and intellectual property to the company in a deal valued over $300 million. The band previously collaborated on digital avatars unveiled during their 2023 farewell tour, developed with Industrial Light & Magic.
The same technology powers the “ABBA Voyage” concert in London, featuring digital avatars of the band in their prime. Also in 2024, Cyndi Lauper partnered with Pophouse, selling the majority of her music rights. “Most suits, when you tell them an idea, their eyes glaze over, they just want your greatest hits,” Lauper remarked. “But these guys are a multimedia company, they’re not looking to just buy my catalog, they want to make something new.”
Koravos explains the appeal: “What interests artists, and the estates of artists in some cases, is that there aren’t very many people who are talking to them about what they want to achieve, creatively, around their body of work.” Pophouse targets select, high-potential properties rather than mass acquisitions.
