Rosen, Berman Start Consultancy

Former RIAA executives Hilary Rosen and Jay Berman are launching a new-media and entertainment consulting firm.

The venture, Berman Rosen Global Strategies, will have offices in Washington, D.C., and New York. It will focus on communications and public affairs issues surrounding intellectual property protection, digital media technology and distribution, and international trade issues.

Rosen, who exited her role as RIAA chairman/CEO more than two years ago, will work out of Washington, while Berman—another former RIAA head who was chairman of international labels body the IFPI until December 2004—will be based in New York.

The company is yet to announce clients.

"There are lots of issues in digital distribution for companies that are either in the space now or that want to be in it, and we can help people navigate through that," Berman says.

Additionally, Berman and Rosen plan to help clients manage piracy costs. The two have teamed with economist Barry Massarsky to develop a product that can help private equity and venture firms and investment banks value the costs of piracy on future deal multiples.

"We can help companies already operating in the entertainment space evaluate their investment in anti-piracy to make sure they are being cost-efficient and meeting their goals," Rosen says.

The firm will look to leverage Berman's IFPI background to offer international consulting services. He has spent the past six years working directly with governments in Asia, Latin America and Europe on piracy and market-access issues for the international recording industry and in cooperation with other entertainment industries.

Berman and Rosen will also maintain their respective current consulting clients. Rosen has most recently been working as an adviser to XM Satellite Radio, Viacom and Snocap. Berman will continue to serve as a consultant to the IFPI, among others. ••••