Influence Media Partners has made a strategic investment to launch UAE-headquartered IPNation, the first platform dedicated exclusively to Arabic music catalogues and entertainment IP.
Targeting $100 million (£74m) in investment, IPNation will focus on the acquisition and growth of music and entertainment IP across the MENA region.
The company is led by CEO Jose Maria Dot and chairman/chief innovation officer Eddy Maroun, co-founder of MENA music streaming giant Anghami.
IPNation says it is evaluating acquisition opportunities across legacy music catalogues, publishing assets, artist estates, entertainment rights and "culturally significant" IP throughout the MENA region.
"Arabic music and entertainment IP represent one of the most undervalued cultural asset classes globally today," said Dot, who is also MD of FTI Capital Advisors. "IPNation was created to institutionalise investment into iconic and predictable income-generating IP while generating upside through our IPNation Value Creation Playbook, bringing our music to larger audiences efficiently. We believe the Middle East is entering a new era where culture itself becomes a scalable financial asset."
We are not only acquiring catalogues; we are building a platform that transforms Arabic IP into global entertainment franchises
Eddy Maroun, Anghami
Maroun added: "For decades, Arabic music created massive cultural impact but very little long-term ownership value for the region itself. IPNation changes that. We are not only acquiring catalogues; we are building a platform that transforms Arabic IP into global entertainment franchises across music, live experiences, storytelling, gaming, AI, and beyond."
Influence Media Partners is a New York-based music and entertainment platform and investment manager led by founder and co-managing partner Lylette Pizarro McLean. Supported by strategic partnerships with funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, it has built a portfolio of works from artists including DJ Khaled, Future and Enrique Iglesias.
"This partnership marks an important step in the evolution of Influence Media," said head of investments and strategic partnerships Ram Kolluri. "We've long believed that premium music IP is a global asset class, and the Middle East represents one of the most exciting opportunities for long-term growth.
"IPNation combines deep regional expertise with a compelling vision for the future of Arabic music and entertainment IP. Together, we believe we can create lasting value for creators, rights holders, and audiences across the region and beyond."
