Shane Nix

Willkie represented A-list actor Jeremy Renner in connection with his acquisition of an ownership interest in Sweet Grass Vodka. Sweet Grass Vodka is a continuously distilled potato vodka sourced locally in South Carolina with no artificial ingredients. The Willkie team was led by partner Shane Nix and included partners Sid Fohrman, Steven Hurdle and Scott Thompson and associates Hayley Silvertown and Carly Trainor.

Jul 26

1 min

Willkie represented Ryan Reynolds as part owner of Mint Mobile, a leading direct-to-consumer prepaid wireless provider, in connection with T-Mobile’s acquisition of Mint Mobile and one other brand for up to $1.35 billion. T-Mobile announced on March 15 that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mint Mobile’s parent company, Ka’ena Corporation, which also owns international wireless service Ultra Mobile and wholesaler Plum. T-Mobile will pay up to a maximum of $1.35 billion in a combination of 39% cash and 61% stock to acquire Ka’ena. The ultimate acquisition price to be paid by T-Mobile will be based upon Ka’ena’s performance during certain periods before and after the closing. The Willkie team was led by partner Alan Epstein and included partner Shane Nix and counsel Nicole Ostrowski.

Mar 16

1 min

Willkie represented John Stevens and Hans Schiff, producers and principals of the production studio Venture 10 Studio Group, in connection with the roll up of Venture 10 Studio Group into the newly formed V10 Entertainment, Inc. backed by Clarion Capital Partners. As part of the roll-up transaction, Stevens and Schiff were appointed as the principal executives of V10 Entertainment and acquired a majority stake in Vin Di Bona Productions and Fishbowl Worldwide Media, the producers of the America’s Funniest Home Videos franchise. Upon completion of the acquisition of Vin Di Bona Productions and Fishbowl Worldwide Media, V10 Entertainment will manage and develop the content and production assets of the AFV franchise – created and produced by Vin Di Bona for 33 seasons and now one of the longest-running primetime entertainment shows in TV history. The operation will be the cornerstone of a portfolio of V10 Entertainment content and production assets, and an integral part of V10 Entertainment’s plan to acquire additional content assets and build a leading content production platform. Clarion Capital Partners is a New York-based private equity firm focused on investments in lower middle market growth companies. The Willkie team was led by partner Steven Hurdle and included partner Shane Nix and associates Brian Kollatz, Russell Whitman and Ilia Katz.

Jan 20

1 min

Willkie represented the estate of Joe Cocker and Pam Cocker in connection with the sale of the famed singer’s music catalog to Iconic Artists Group. On June 27, it was announced that Cocker’s estate entered into an agreement with Iconic Artists Group pursuant to which Iconic acquired Cocker’s extensive music catalog, and will develop and expand his rich and storied musical legacy to reach new generations. Cocker’s recording career spanned approximately 50 years and featured numerous hit songs, including his renditions of the Beatles original “With a Little Help from My Friends” and Billy Preston’s “You Are So Beautiful.” The deal follows Iconic’s recent acquisitions of interests in the catalogs of Dean Martin, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Nat King Cole, and Linda Ronstadt. Iconic launched in January 2020 with the acquisition of a controlling interest in the catalog of The Beach Boys. The Willkie team was led by partner, Sid Fohrman, Chair of the firm’s Music and Digital Media Practice, and included corporate and tax partners Alan Epstein and Shane Nix, and associates Hayley Silvertown, Bobby Chipman and Sabrina Khan.

Jun 28

1 min