ASX listed global digital technology and entertainment company MSM Corporation International Limited (ASX: MSM), has secured eight-time Grammy Award winning superstar, Usher, as Chief Creative Director for its global talent competition, Megastar.
Eight‐time Grammy Award winning superstar, Usher
In addition, Usher will also perform the roles of headline celebrity Mentor, Judge and Brand Ambassador.
Usher is a household name across the globe and recognized as one of the best-selling artists in American music history, with a social media presence of over 68 million ‐ Facebook (46 million), Twitter (12.3 million), Instagram (6.7 million) and YouTube (3.3 million). He also is credited for mentoring award‐winning singer‐songwriter Justin Bieber.
In his role, Usher will market and promote the brand across his social media platforms, providing feedback to performers and engaging with fans.
Already live in the UK, South Africa, New Zealand and Canada, Megastar will launch in Australia and the US next month, with MSM and Usher jointly launching a global media program, syncing with the Megastar product launch scheduled for September.
Commenting on his appointment, Usher said, “Megastar is unlike any talent competition out there. It spotlights the power of emerging global talent and turns seemingly unattainable dreams into reality. I’m thrilled to be a part of this creative, next generation online competition.”
“I look forward to lending my experience as a global performer and mentor to the process, by motivating talented contestants from all over the world, to push themselves to achieve personal best and career breakthroughs.”
Megastar is a global, mobile‐first talent competition featuring performers of any category, competing to win USD$1 million, a role in a film produced by Executive Producer John Baldecchi and a variety of cash prizes. Winners are chosen by fans voting in the competition through the Megastar App, which can be downloaded from the Apple and Google app stores.
The first Megastar competition launches in MSM’s six core markets of UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, US and Australia, with additional Megastar competitions to launch in non‐English speaking markets via partnering and licensing agreements.
MSM Managing Director, Dion Sullivan, added, “We are absolutely delighted to have Usher invested in both the product and the outcome of Megastar. His career spans over 24 years already and he has inspired so many artists. He has so much experience, training and industry knowledge to impart on our Performers and his insights are invaluable to singers, dancers and performers in general.”
Usher’s engagement is for an initial term ending 60 days following the finale of the first Megastar competition in 2017. The consideration payable to Usher is comprised of staggered cash payments, performance rights and royalties (based on incomes generated from the sale of sponsorships, advertising or date, physical merchandise or other sources).
MSM has also announced it has successfully raised a total of AUD $10.5 million (before costs). The capital raising is comprised of the placement of 43,150,000 MSM shares to raise AUD$8.63M plus the issue of convertible loans with a value of AUD$1.87M, which immediately converted through the issue of 7,210,000 new fully paid ordinary shares and the payment of AUD $0.5M (plus interest).
MSM indicated it received strong support from new and existing institutional investors, as well as strategic family office investors. Acting as joint lead managers, the capital raise was led by CPS Capital Group Pty Ltd and Cadmon Advisory Pty Ltd.
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