The combined company will operate under the BMG name, with a publishing division named BMG Publishing and a recorded music division named Concord Records, forming a fully integrated global music company spanning music publishing, recorded music, theatrical rights, and digital distribution. The increased scale will enable more investment in creativity, technology, and talent while preserving an independent, entrepreneurial model.

"We are proud to have advised Concord on this landmark transaction, which positions the combined business to operate at greater scale while staying true to the independent, artist-first philosophy that has defined both companies,” said Stephen Sessa, co-chair of Reed Smith’s Entertainment and Media Industry Group. “It was a privilege to work alongside Concord's team on a deal that we believe will reshape the independent music landscape."

The international, cross-practice Reed Smith deal team was led by Sessa and included Business and Finance Department Global Chair James Tandler, partners Joshua Love, Amy Dunitz, Nina Siewert, Simon Kliegman, Caspar Fox, Ari Byk, and Angelo Ciavarella, counsel Nneka Witter and Thomas Baxter, associates Francine Lewis, Erin Stidham, Zachary Dean, Susan Roberts, Dylan Reich, Michelle DiPuma, Allison Kahn, Joanne Moon, and Megan McWaters, and staff attorney Avery Hitchcock.