Live Nation Inc (LYV)

The Material Girl is bringing her massive song book to Fox (NWS) hit comedy Glee. Live Nation (LYV) artist Madonna is the most recognized and influential person in music today. In the episode titled ???The Power of Madonna???, Mr. Schuester thinks the girls will benefit from the girl-power messages in tracks like "Express Yourself." "Like a Prayer," "Like a Virgin" and "4 Minutes", that are also covered in the episode. Classic Madonna, right? The Madonna Glee episode airs Tuesday, April 20th after Idol, will you tune in? Which song are you most looking forward to seeing in the "Glee" Madonna episode?

After one and an $889 million dollar deal, a new music super-power is born. Live Nation (LYV) and Ticketmaster (TKTM) received approval for a merger that is likely to affect every live-music fan, artist, agent, manager and promoter. The new Live Nation Entertainment will own a huge chunk of the business. The merger deal says it would have the power to make more money from the lucrative resale market and ultimately reduce ticket prices and service fees. Before approving the merger, U.S. attorneys made clear that the merged company from retaliating against any concert venue that uses a non-Ticketmaster ticketing outlet. However, some in the business fear the companies??? combined power will make it difficult for outsiders to promote shows and sell tickets. Will this merger be a monopoly on the live shows?

If you missed Madonna on tour, now you can have a front row seat whenever you want. The Madonna Live Nation (LYV) Sticky & Sweet Tour was the most successful ever by a solo artist and the second-highest-grossing trek of all time, attracting over 3.5 million fans. On Mar. 13th, Madonna???s record-breaking Sticky and Sweet Tour will arrive on DVD, Blu-ray and CD, and will be released by Warner Bros (TWX). The collection, which includes songs from every era of the singer's thirty-year career, was compiled from Madonna's sold out four-night stand in Buenos Aires and the DVD will feature 30 minutes of backstage footage. The price of the collection has not yet been announced. Highlights include hits such as Like a Prayer and Ray of Light, as well as songs from Madonna's most recent album, Hard Candy. The concert film also features Madonna performing Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Are you a Madonna fan? The tour was successful, will you check it out?

Justin Timberlake is everywhere???music, movies, magazines and now drinks. Timberlake has signed a deal with Live Nation (LYV) to make his signature 901 Silver Tequila the official tequila sponsor at clubs, arenas and amphitheaters across the country. He???s one busy man! Besides his tequila, Timberlake owns his own golf course, three restaurants and a clothing line. Timberlake is pumping out products left and right???always something to promote. What do you think of the deal?

Talks of a ticketmaster merge

alovesjos thinks if Live Nation Inc were a Sweet Tart, it would be cherry.

DCoutcher thinks if Live Nation Inc were a classic videogame character, it would be Sonic the Hedgehog.

Jessica thinks if Live Nation Inc were a president, it would be Thomas Jefferson.

by Erin Dinklenburg Concert promoter Live Nation (LYV) signed the Irish rock band U2 to a twelve year deal. U2 is to receive 1.56 million shares of Live Nation, worth roughly $19 million. U2 will have to ride the stock market before learning the true value of the deal, however the deal could potentially reap billions for Live Nation. U2's Vertigo tour in 2005-2007 made over $400 million in revenues and was the second highest grossing tour of all time. Touring alone should generate more than a billion dollars over the twelve-year contract. U2 will continue to release music through Universal Music on the Mercury Record's label. The band's new album will be released early in 2009. Other music acts that have joined with Live Nation include Madonna, Jay Z, Shakira and Nickelback.

By: Erica Feldkamp, WeSeed Editor What do you think of a 50-year old, leather-clad mom of three taking the stage with a boy half her age? Not a pretty picture... unless that mom is Madonna. Madonna's chart-topper 4 minutes from her Hard Candy album has been out for almost 4 months now and her music notes are making money signs. Selling over 2.08 million copies so far, her latest beat seems to be blowing out the concert hall windows. Want a ticket for her next concert? Forget about it. Her concerts have been selling out within three hours of release. With over 90 percent of the concert tickets already sold, estimates of record breaking revenue are ringing in at $250 million. And that's a lot of moo-lah for even this Material Girl, whose previous tours raked in a respectable $195 million. Oh, and have you heard about Madonna's solo act? Madge is letting loose 'Snatch' director & husband, Guy Richie. Divorce papers are being served and signed, as this bachelorette-to-be kicks her wedding vows off stage. And that's not all she's leaving behind. Madonna is cutting ties with long-time record label Warner Bros. Records. Moving on, Madonna is already hooked up with LiveNation (LYV), a match that could make music history. LiveNation could blow the roof off the entertainment industry as it brings recording contracts, merchandising deals, ticketing and concert tours together. With Madonna possibly being at the top of her career, both Madonna and LiveNation could see jammin' profits by the end of '08. Want a piece of this candy? Follow LiveNation with your WeSeed Portfolio, and see if this company and Madonna can turn you into a Material Investor.