PRESENTATION - Sound Royalties and Q&A with Leslie Zigel
Featured Speaker:
Evan Kaye, Managing Director at Sound Royalties
Evan graduated from American University in Washington D.C with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He then began his career with Smith Barney and Paine Webber in 1997 where he offered estate planning and investment advice.
Evan’s extensive background in Financial Services and love for music came full-circle with the development of Sound Royalties. Serving as Managing Director, he has been an integral member of the company since inception in 2014. He works directly with artists, producers, songwriters, composers, managers, attorneys, business managers, and more, to help customize artist-friendly funding for all creatives
Prior to Sound Royalties, Evan was a National Sales Manager at Stone Street Capital in Maryland and later joined the specialty finance company, Novation Capital in 2006 where he served as National Sales Manager and Senior Funding Executive. While at Stone Street and Novation, Evan worked with structured settlement recipients and lottery winners to convert future payments into upfront cash.
Leslie Zigel, Partner and Chair of SMGQ’s Entertainment, Media & Technology Group
Leslie José Zigel is a partner and Chair of the Firm’s Entertainment, Media & Technology Group and the Co-Chair of the Firm’s Cannabis Practice Group. Mr. Zigel focuses his practice on both the creative and business sides of the entertainment industries in the music, television, film and technology sectors. Representing a multitude of artists, media companies, executives and international music stars, his practice includes counseling clients in entertainment talent negotiations, record contracts, music and book publishing, touring, sponsorships and endorsement deals, joint ventures, sales of copyrights and royalty streams, NFTs as well as providing outside general counsel services and assisting companies with corporate structuring, financing, operations, sales and acquisitions, trademarks, royalty revenues, copyrights and employment advice.
Following a decade long career in the music industry as a musical festival producer (Newport Jazz & Folk Festivals, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Miller Maquina Musica and more) and corporate entertainment executive (American Express Gold Card Events and Platinum Card by Invitation Only), he graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 1995 where he served as Editor-in-Chief of UM’s Inter-American Law Review. Upon graduation, Mr. Zigel joined BMG US Latin as Director of Business and Legal Affairs and was later promoted to VP, Business and Legal Affairs for the Latin American Region. As the industry changed with the advent of digital media and online file sharing, he stood at the forefront of the progression. Since 2003, Mr. Zigel has been in private practice both with his own firm (ZIGLAW) and as a partner in the prestigious law firms of Greenberg Traurig and Greenspoon Marder. In addition, he has been active in business serving as an Executive Producer of numerous films (with on Oscar nomination and Tribeca Film Festival award) and a partner in several technology startups including currently serving as a partner in NFT company Walt Grace Digital.
Drawing on his passion for music and giving back to his community, Mr. Zigel actively serves on the Board of Directors for Young Musicians Unite (YMU). YMU, a non-profit founded in 2013 actively provides music programming for over 3,000 students in 36 schools this school year. Engaging student musicians through diverse, relatable music programs including Jazz Bands, Rock Ensembles, Music Technology, Modern Band, Beginning Band, Strings, and Drumline; YMU Collaborates with schools to provide free music education. Offering a platform for young musicians of Miami regardless of their socio-economic status YMU unites our students while reinforcing the importance of music education. Fostering a sense of community YMU is preparing our future leaders while inspiring personal development.
Current (and past clients) include: Pitbull, Bob Weir, Marco Antonio Solis and Los Bukis, Wisin, Carlos Vives, Maffio, Endemol, MBS Productions (Latin Billboard and AMA award programs) among others.