Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin cover image

Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin

Michael Cohl

Aug 28, 2024
Michael Cohl, an acclaimed Emmy and Tony Award-winning producer, shares his vast experiences from over 55 years in live entertainment. He recounts the challenges of securing merchandising rights in the competitive music industry, especially related to 'Thriller.' The conversation dives into tumultuous concert promotions, including a chaotic Pink Floyd performance. Cohl reflects on the revival of the Rolling Stones, the evolution of live entertainment, and memorable anecdotes with rock legends. His insights reveal the complexities and excitement behind the scenes of iconic performances.
01:30:38

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Michael Cohl's entry into the merchandise business was driven by a desire for control and consistency in the fragmented music industry.
  • The critical turning point in their strategy was securing Michael Jackson's merchandise rights, highlighting the risks of overly favorable deals in high-stakes negotiations.

Deep dives

Merchandising Control

Entering the merch business was motivated by the need for control and consistency in the music industry. By establishing their own merch company, they could ensure availability and quality across global locations, unlike traditional concert agencies that fragmented the merch rights. They aimed to align their efforts with established figures in the industry, such as Frank DeLeo, who managed Michael Jackson's lucrative merchandise rights during the height of the 'Thriller' era. The discussion highlights the complexities in managing artist merchandise rights, particularly in securing deals while navigating a highly competitive market.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode