About

The Adage Group specializes in the acquisition of intellectual property rights with a focus on music publishing and licensing. Over the last fifteen years The Adage Group has acquired, conducted financial analysis of, or sold catalogs comprised of some of the most important copyright in music. The Adage Group’s analysis of value and music industry trends is a product of experience as purchaser, seller, or financial analyst in music publishing transactions that constitute the core value of a number of major and independent music publishing companies:

In the cases of DreamWorks, Rondor, and Bug/Windswept these catalogs contributed greatly to the high multiple exits.  Adage has an equal focus on the development and application of technology in the music industry.  See the Technology page for more details.

The Adage Group most recently completed several acquisitions with Round Hill Music including the Beatles classics “I Saw Her Standing There,” “From Me to You,” and “She Loves You.”   The Adage Group’s experience extends from the 1928 classic “I Wanna Be Loved By You” to the 2005 Rob Thomas hit “Lonely No More.”  Please see the video and music licensing pages for more song details.

Herb Jordan, CEO

Herb Jordan is the founder and CEO of The Adage Group.  Jordan has extensive experience in the broad scope of American music.  Mr. Jordan’s background reflects substantive experience in law, business and music. Jordan taught at The University of Michigan Law School where he received the L. Hart Wright award as the law school’s outstanding faculty member. He is also the recipient of a Thomas M. Cooley Distinguished Brief Award for scholarly writing and a frequent national speaker on a range of issues related to intellectual property and digital technology. In 2006, Random House published Jordan’s book, Motown in Love.

Jordan has produced recordings by Pulitzer Prize composer/saxophonist Ornette Coleman, developed the Peabody, Emmy and Writers’ Guild Award winning film Lush Life, based on the collaboration of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. He has composed for Count Basie and produced a 2005 Grammy nominated album American Song.  Jordan’s work has been featured in numerous articles and broadcasts including CBS Sunday Morning, NPR All Things Considered, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, and Investor’s Business Daily.

Mike Forster

Mike Forster is a graduate of the USC business program. In his work with Adage, Forster has analyzed publishing data in every genre and era of music. His financial presentations and databases have been a centerpiece of Adage transactions over the last several years. Forster also heads up the Adage technology development and application.

Song Highlights from Various Adage Group Transactions