Pophouse, a Swedish investment firm focused on entertainment and music, founded by ABBA frontman Björn Ulvaeus and PE firm EQT’s Founder Conni Jonsson, has acquired the artist share of the master recordings and publishing rights of American rock band KISS.
Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, though a report by Private Equity News states that the deal is understood to be worth more than $300m.
In a press statement, Per Sundin, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, said: “KISS has sold more than 100m records worldwide and has throughout their 50-year career continued to push the boundaries in popular culture. The band’s enigmatic personas, unparalleled band attributes, and iconic imagery have made them a cultural force and a legendary act with multigenerational appeal. We will safeguard and enrich this legacy through future global endeavours, by breathing new life into their characters and personas while also leveraging and elevating the visual world of KISS.”
As part of the partnership, Pophouse will create digital versions of KISS, a preview of which was seen at a KISS show in New York on 2 December 2023. The KISS avatars are expected to launch in 2027.
Gene Simmons, Bassist and Co-Founder of KISS, added that a biopic and a “KISS-themed experience” were also in development.
Simmons said: “We have always been breaking new ground in popular culture, and this partnership will ensure that we continue to do so for years to come. Because what Pophouse is doing, is breaking rules.”
The acquisition marks Pophouse’s second investment outside of Sweden, following that of Cyndi Lauper’s music catalogue in late February.
Pophouse which was founded in 2014, started investing in music rights in 2022 with the catalogue acquisitions of Avicii and Swedish House Mafia.
