MÁS "DESPACITO" FOR MERCK: HIPGNOSIS ACQUIRES ENDER CATALOG

Merck Mercuriadis' Hipgnosis has acquired the song catalog of Panamanian hitmaker and "Despacito" co-writer Erika Ender, the youngest person to be inducted in the Latin Songwriter's Hall of Fame. Her songs have been featured on more than 200 albums, with more than 40 singles topping U.S. Latin, LATAM and Hispanic charts.

Hipgnosis has acquired a 100% interest in Ender’s publishing copyrights (including the writer’s share of performance) in all the songs in her catalog published, released or utilized through her Sony Music Publishing deal from 2007-2019, including "Despacito" and over 25 #1 songs. The acquisition was made via Hipgnosis Songs Capital, a partnership between Hipgnosis Song Management and funds managed by Blackstone.

With the addition of Ender's stake, Hipgnosis owns half the writers' share of "Despacito," which reflects contributions by Hipgnosis co-writers Justin Bieber and Poo Bear. The global smash was originally released in 2017 by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Bieber took the track to a new level with a remix released later that year. Each version of the song has 1.5b+ global streams on Spotify.

Chief Executive and founder of Hipgnosis Song Management Mercuriadis commented, “Erika Ender has defined Latin music for the last 30 years. Her 40+ #1 singles have made her one of the most successful and influential songwriters of all time. Over the last five years "Despacito" has ruled the airwaves and helped drive the new LATAM domination, going to #1 in 47 countries. But Erika is so much more than that one song, with a rich catalog of many incredible songs. I’m delighted to welcome her to the Hipgnosis family!”

Ender was represented in the Hipgnosis deal by Oswaldo Rossi and Pamela Klein of Rossi, P.C., and Sergio Lopes at LCTM Brandbuilders.