12 November 2012
Papa Entertainment plc
("Papa Entertainment" or the "Company")
Operational Update
Papa Entertainment plc (ISDX:PAPP), a specialist UK group focused on the music and media
industries, is pleased to provide the following operational update.
As announced in the Interim Results issued on 30 October 2012, the Company has been working on
assembling a live touring band for its planned "Rock Vault" project. Papa Entertainment is
pleased to report that excellent progress has been made in recent weeks with promoters, event
producers and organisers as well as merchandise agreements, which has now led to the formal launch
of the Rock Vault project.
The first classic rock show of the Rock Vault project, 'Raiding the Rock Vault', starts on 29
November 2012 at The Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles, United States and is being co-promoted by
leading classic rock radio station 95.5 KLOS FM. The one and a half hour long show narrates the
story of classic rock and features songs by The Who, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Free, The Eagles,
Led Zeppelin, Bryan Adams, Van Halen, Deep Purple, Queen, Kiss and The Rolling Stones. This set
list of classic rock is, unlike many tribute bands, as it will be played by an all-star band
including artists from Guns N' Roses, Deep Purple, Asia, Survivor and the Paul Rodgers Band.
Narrated, sung and acted with stunning imagery plus historical footage, 'Raiding the Rock Vault'
charts the history of Rock and Roll.
Experienced record producer, David Kershenbaum, who has 75 international gold and platinum albums
to his name and has collaborated with rock artists such as Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Duran Duran
and Cat Stevens, is the Creative Director of 'Raiding the Rock Vault'. The show's production
design will be coordinated by Paul Dexter who has worked on shows for artists such as Ozzy
Osbourne, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Black Sabbath and Elton John.
Dependent on the success of the first show, it is the intention of the Board to organise a global
tour of 'Raiding the Rock Vault' producing around up to a further 100 shows around the world over
the following year. The production and band members would remain largely unchanged and the Board
believes that significant revenues can be generated from a global tour prior to potentially
starting a fixed show in either Broadway or Las Vegas. Additional revenues would also be
generated from sales of 'Raiding the Rock Vault' merchandise.
Separate from the 'Rock Vault' project, on 24 July 2012 the Company acquired music production and
publishing company, Mission Entertainment Group Limited ("Mission Group"). Since the acquisition,
good progress has been made and the Company is pleased to report that two of Mission Group's
recording acts are releasing music singles before the end of 2012. The first single is by a UK
based dance act called "Dirty Sneekers" and is called "The Sound", which has been entirely written
and produced by the team at Mission Group. The song features British reggae music artist, Sweetie
Irie, whose past collaborations include world famous bands like the Gorillaz and No Doubt. The
second Mission Group release is the debut single for artist Cameron Whiley who is signed to
Mission Recordings and Mission Publishing; the single is called "Reh Reh Reh".
Harry Cowell, Chief Executive of Papa Entertainment plc, said: "The Board is delighted with the
progress that the Rock Vault project has made and we look forwarding to the debut show in Los
Angeles. The Company is collaborating with many experienced artists and figureheads in the music
industry and we will look to maximise this significant experience when the show reaches a global
audience from March 2013.
"Aside from the Rock Vault project, the core business of Mission Group is also progressing well
with two Mission Group acts scheduled to release singles before the end of the year."
The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.
- Ends -
For further information, please contact:
Papa Entertainment plc
Harry Cowell, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0) 20 8977 0632
www.papaentertainmentplc.com
SVS Securities plc
Peter Ward Tel: +44 (0) 20 7638 5600
Alexander Brearley www.svssecurities.com
Media enquiries:
Abchurch
Henry Harrison-Topham / Joanne Shears Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7709
joanne.shears@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com
For photographic images of the 'Raiding the Rock Vault' band or logo, please contact
jamie.hooper@abchurch-group.com or call +44 (0) 20 7398 7719.
Notes to Editors
Papa Entertainment was incorporated as a vehicle for the purpose of acquiring companies or
businesses engaged in the entertainment, music and media industries. Papa Entertainment acquired
Mission Entertainment Group Limited and its subsidiaries (the "Mission Group") in July 2012.
Papa Entertainment is led by its Chief Executive Officer, "Sir" Harry Cowell, who has over 25
years' experience in the music industry. The Company's Non-Executive Chairman is Korda Marshall,
who has during his career has signed artists, directed major label A&R departments, produced,
executive produced and been a managing director of three recording companies and has worked with
performers including Take That, MUSE, Ash, Paul Oakenfold, the Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Peter
Andre, Garbage, James Blunt, Gnarls Barkley and The Darkness, personally signing or negotiating
with several of these artists. Simon Napier-Bell, a Non-Executive Director of Papa Entertainment,
has enjoyed a long career in the entertainment industry, commencing in the 1960s, with notable
highlights including the management of well-known artists such as "Wham!" and the "Yardbirds" and
the co-writing of the No. 1 Hit Single "You don't have to say you love me" for Dusty Springfield.
The Mission Group is a group of music production and publishing companies with studio and office
facilities in Kingston-Upon-Thames, South West London. The Mission Group's business consists of
the delivery of music to the listener, incorporating writing, recording, marketing and
distribution, label management and production. The Company's policy through concentrating all the
Group's operations under one roof and utilising its own studios is to consolidate the functions of
music production and publishing in-house in order to manage costs and to integrate functions that
would otherwise be subject to external contracting. Various contracts, artists, projects and
agreements are signed to the Mission Group's companies.
Papa Entertainment was admitted to the ISDX Growth Market on 14 September 2012. For more
information on the Company please visit: www.papaentertainmentplc.com
'Raiding the Rock Vault'
Links for the 'Raiding the Rock Vault' website and social media are detailed below:
http://www.facebook.com/RaidingTheRockVault
https://twitter.com/Rock_Vault
http://www.raidingtherockvault.com
Quotes from band members on the event
From Joe Lynn Turner: "Raiding the Rock Vault is the real deal! Others have tried to attempt a
similar show but nothing will be like this! I am honoured and proud to be a part of what is soon
to be a part of rock and roll history!"
From Tracii Guns: "Being part of the vault is very exciting for me. An opportunity to play some
of the best songs ever written along side some great musicians is very appealing."
From Paul Dexter (Raiding the Rock Vault Production Designer):
"This live show is being assembled by masters of their respective fields from musical artistry and
theatrical sensibility, guided by pure rock & roll passion. A unique perspective about an
unrepeatable era of rock history has been recreated, with its memorable hit songs, all delivered
with the same spirit as when they were written. Today's music enthusiasts are about to relive a
time, that up until now, they have only heard about."
From Simon Napier-Bell (Executive Producer):
"Raiding The Rock Vault relates the history of the last fifty years through its definitive art
form - rock music. It defines the second half of the 20th Century."