Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAV Document 189-1 Filed 08/01/25 Page 1 of 8
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`Exhibit 1
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`Home > Music > News Mar 8, 2023 6:34am PT
`
`Former Apple Executive Larry Jackson Launches Gamma,
`New Music Company With Usher, Rick Ross on Roster
`
`By Shirley Halperin, Jem Aswad
`
`O X I @ ©
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`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 1/20
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`7131125, 7:27PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-J Ay Jabasumenis B0k, Nek-tlethHBI0ih(Rher, RBEge: 3 of 8
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`Getty Images
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`UPDATED: When Larry Jackson left Apple Music in September after seven years as the
`
`company’s global creative director, he kept quiet about his next move. But as an industry veteran
`with a deep rolodex and longstanding relationships with top music stars like Kanye West, Nicki
`Minaj, Lil Wayne and Drake, his next venture was bound to be a very big one.
`
`On Wednesday, Jackson announced the launch of Gamma, a multi-platform, multi-faceted
`business that will see him acquiring or joining forces with major artists and brands, with
`endeavors in music, films, merchandise, fashion, web3 and other areas. The company was
`cofounded with former Interscope CFO Ike Youssef; backers include Todd Boehly’s Eldridge
`Industries, Apple and indie film studio A24. The company is said to have $1 billion available in
`equity and debt, although other sources tell Variety that Apple is a partner but not an investor,
`and the money involved is significantly lower.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 2/20
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`7131125, 7:27PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-J A%y Jabasuments B0k, Nek-tlethHBI0ih (Rher, RBEge: 4 of 8
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`Popular on Variety
`
`Related Stories
`
`Scooter Braun Says 'Everyone in the End Won' in Taylor Swift Masters Drama, and Tells
`Still-Angry Swifties They 'Made the Horrible Miscalculation That | Care'
`
`The first artists to join the roster include Usher and Rick Ross, and, according to Billboard, a
`stake in the Death Row catalog acquired by Snoop Dogg late last year. Sources tell Variety that
`Jackson also has his sights set on signing Travis Scott, who has one more album left in his
`contract with Epic Records. Sources also say that the company made a run at the catalog Dr. Dre
`
`recently sold to Universal Music and Shamrock Holdings for upward of $200 million.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 3/20
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`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaBasuients EB80mb, Nel-deahH B0k 2ber, RBaEge 5 of 8
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`The announcement states that the company “operates in distinct but connected business
`segments: recorded music, visual content, media, creative agency, and direct-to-consumer
`products. Gamma’s capabilities revolve around three pillars — content creation, content
`distribution, and development of the artist-centered business enterprise.” It will also collaborate
`with Eldridge on the growth and development of its music copyrights, which include the Killers’
`
`pre-2020 songs, an investment in Bruce Springsteen’s catalog and others.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`Jackson acquired the distribution platform Vydia in December, absorbing its employees into the
`new company, and has struck podcast deals with Naomi Campbell and Shade Room founder
`Angelica Nwandu. The company is also partnered with A24; Fred Davis and Raine Group served
`as financial advisor.
`
`The announcement was hinted this week in characteristically low-key fashion with enormous
`billboards on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles and New York’s Times Square.
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 4/20
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`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaBasuients EB80mb, Nel-deahH B0k 2ber, RBEge 6 of 8
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`Jackson’s new venture also aligns him with L.A. Reid, the former chairman of Epic Records,
`Island Def Jam and Arista, who sold his independent label HitCo to Concord last year. Sources
`say that the team is working to acquire the rights to the final album in Usher’s contract with RCA
`in exchange for an undisclosed amount of money and a percentage of the project, with Reid
`
`overseeing the album’s production.
`
`Over the past 20 years Jackson has held senior positions at RCA and J Records (working closely
`with Clive Davis) as well as Interscope and Apple Music, where he worked with Jimmy Iovine,
`who acted as a consultant (and presumably an investor) in Gamma. Jackson’s new company is in
`
`position to execute many of the artist-centric endeavors Iovine has long advocated.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`The company’s leadership team is:
`
`Larry Jackson, Co-Founder and CEO
`
`Ike Youssef, Co-Founder and President
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 5/20
`
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`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaRasuments EB80mb, Nel-daahH B0k 2ber, RBaEge 7 of 8
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`Breyon Prescott, EVP of Content and Music
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`Roy LaManna, Chief Technology and Product Officer
`Reza Hariri, Chief Revenue Officer Media
`
`Jenna Gaudio, Co-President of Distribution
`
`Mark Gorman, Co-President of Distribution
`
`Rand Hoffman, Head of Business and Legal Affairs
`Mika El-Baz, Strategic Communications Advisor
`
`Doubleday & Cartwright, Creative Agency
`
`In addition, Tony Minella, Co-Founder and President, Eldridge, and Daniel Katz, Co-Founder and
`Partner, A24, will join Gamma’s board, while Bill McDermott, CEO, Service Now, and Joseph
`Calabrese, Former Global Chair/Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice at Latham & Watkins,
`
`will serve as senior advisors.
`
`Read More About: Larry Jackson
`
`Want to read more articles like this one?
`Subscribe Today
`
`More from Variety
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 6/20
`
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`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaRasuients EB80mb, Nel-deahH B0k 2ber, RBaEge 8 of 8
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`Grant Hill Expands College Basketball Duties in New Deal With Warner Bros. Discovery
`
`ry
`
`§
`€
`Warner Bros. Discovery Bets Big on Homegrown Heroes for Indian Kids
`Market: ‘We’re Looking for Stories That Resonate Across South Asia’ “' \
`(EXCLUSIVE)
`
`Inside the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront: Big Laughs for ‘HBO Max’
`Name Change; No NBA, But Shaq Still Stops By to Promote ‘Superman’
`Movie
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 7/20
`
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`Exhibit 1
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`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaRasuments EB80mb, Nel-daahH B0k 2ber, RBaEge 2 of 8
`
`Home > Music > News Mar 8, 2023 6:34am PT
`
`Former Apple Executive Larry Jackson Launches Gamma,
`New Music Company With Usher, Rick Ross on Roster
`
`By Shirley Halperin, Jem Aswad
`
`O X I @ ©
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 1/20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7131125, 7:27PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-J Ay Jabasumenis B0k, Nek-tlethHBI0ih(Rher, RBEge: 3 of 8
`
`Getty Images
`
`UPDATED: When Larry Jackson left Apple Music in September after seven years as the
`
`company’s global creative director, he kept quiet about his next move. But as an industry veteran
`with a deep rolodex and longstanding relationships with top music stars like Kanye West, Nicki
`Minaj, Lil Wayne and Drake, his next venture was bound to be a very big one.
`
`On Wednesday, Jackson announced the launch of Gamma, a multi-platform, multi-faceted
`business that will see him acquiring or joining forces with major artists and brands, with
`endeavors in music, films, merchandise, fashion, web3 and other areas. The company was
`cofounded with former Interscope CFO Ike Youssef; backers include Todd Boehly’s Eldridge
`Industries, Apple and indie film studio A24. The company is said to have $1 billion available in
`equity and debt, although other sources tell Variety that Apple is a partner but not an investor,
`and the money involved is significantly lower.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 2/20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7131125, 7:27PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-J A%y Jabasuments B0k, Nek-tlethHBI0ih (Rher, RBEge: 4 of 8
`
`Popular on Variety
`
`Related Stories
`
`Scooter Braun Says 'Everyone in the End Won' in Taylor Swift Masters Drama, and Tells
`Still-Angry Swifties They 'Made the Horrible Miscalculation That | Care'
`
`The first artists to join the roster include Usher and Rick Ross, and, according to Billboard, a
`stake in the Death Row catalog acquired by Snoop Dogg late last year. Sources tell Variety that
`Jackson also has his sights set on signing Travis Scott, who has one more album left in his
`contract with Epic Records. Sources also say that the company made a run at the catalog Dr. Dre
`
`recently sold to Universal Music and Shamrock Holdings for upward of $200 million.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 3/20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaBasuients EB80mb, Nel-deahH B0k 2ber, RBaEge 5 of 8
`
`The announcement states that the company “operates in distinct but connected business
`segments: recorded music, visual content, media, creative agency, and direct-to-consumer
`products. Gamma’s capabilities revolve around three pillars — content creation, content
`distribution, and development of the artist-centered business enterprise.” It will also collaborate
`with Eldridge on the growth and development of its music copyrights, which include the Killers’
`
`pre-2020 songs, an investment in Bruce Springsteen’s catalog and others.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`Jackson acquired the distribution platform Vydia in December, absorbing its employees into the
`new company, and has struck podcast deals with Naomi Campbell and Shade Room founder
`Angelica Nwandu. The company is also partnered with A24; Fred Davis and Raine Group served
`as financial advisor.
`
`The announcement was hinted this week in characteristically low-key fashion with enormous
`billboards on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles and New York’s Times Square.
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 4/20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaBasuients EB80mb, Nel-deahH B0k 2ber, RBEge 6 of 8
`
`Jackson’s new venture also aligns him with L.A. Reid, the former chairman of Epic Records,
`Island Def Jam and Arista, who sold his independent label HitCo to Concord last year. Sources
`say that the team is working to acquire the rights to the final album in Usher’s contract with RCA
`in exchange for an undisclosed amount of money and a percentage of the project, with Reid
`
`overseeing the album’s production.
`
`Over the past 20 years Jackson has held senior positions at RCA and J Records (working closely
`with Clive Davis) as well as Interscope and Apple Music, where he worked with Jimmy Iovine,
`who acted as a consultant (and presumably an investor) in Gamma. Jackson’s new company is in
`
`position to execute many of the artist-centric endeavors Iovine has long advocated.
`
`ADVERTISEMENT
`
`The company’s leadership team is:
`
`Larry Jackson, Co-Founder and CEO
`
`Ike Youssef, Co-Founder and President
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 5/20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaRasuments EB80mb, Nel-daahH B0k 2ber, RBaEge 7 of 8
`
`Breyon Prescott, EVP of Content and Music
`
`Roy LaManna, Chief Technology and Product Officer
`Reza Hariri, Chief Revenue Officer Media
`
`Jenna Gaudio, Co-President of Distribution
`
`Mark Gorman, Co-President of Distribution
`
`Rand Hoffman, Head of Business and Legal Affairs
`Mika El-Baz, Strategic Communications Advisor
`
`Doubleday & Cartwright, Creative Agency
`
`In addition, Tony Minella, Co-Founder and President, Eldridge, and Daniel Katz, Co-Founder and
`Partner, A24, will join Gamma’s board, while Bill McDermott, CEO, Service Now, and Joseph
`Calabrese, Former Global Chair/Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice at Latham & Watkins,
`
`will serve as senior advisors.
`
`Read More About: Larry Jackson
`
`Want to read more articles like this one?
`Subscribe Today
`
`More from Variety
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 6/20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7131125, 727PM Case 1:23-cv-09878-JAMry JaRasuients EB80mb, Nel-deahH B0k 2ber, RBaEge 8 of 8
`
`Grant Hill Expands College Basketball Duties in New Deal With Warner Bros. Discovery
`
`ry
`
`§
`€
`Warner Bros. Discovery Bets Big on Homegrown Heroes for Indian Kids
`Market: ‘We’re Looking for Stories That Resonate Across South Asia’ “' \
`(EXCLUSIVE)
`
`Inside the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront: Big Laughs for ‘HBO Max’
`Name Change; No NBA, But Shaq Still Stops By to Promote ‘Superman’
`Movie
`
`https://variety.com/2023/music/news/larry-jackson-launches-gamma-new-music-company-usher-rick-ross-1235545233/ 7/20
`
`
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`
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